On April 3, 2010 at 5:30 P.M., Charles Rex Cullop received the one call that we will all receive. At the age of 83, he received a call from His Lord, the result of a long term struggle with pulmonary disease.

He was the son of the late Emory Preston “E. P.” and Faye Morefield Cullop of Damascus/Galax, VA. He was a member of Galax Methodist Church, Galax, VA. Rex retired from Sprint with more than 40 years of service and with other telephone servers for 20 or more years. He was honored with Kentucky Colonel and Nebraska Admiral Citations. He served in the U. S. Navy during World War II. He was a member of King Masonic Lodge No. 461 of Bristol, TN, Knoxville Scottish Rite, Jericho Shrine Temple, American Legion Post No. 145, and the Independent Telecommunications Pioneer Club.

He is survived by his marriage partner of sixty-two years, Edith “Edythe” Koontz Cullop, of 100 Mulberry Lane, Bristol, TN. One daughter Karen and husband Gus Shearer, one GRANDson Sean Barnes and wife, Tracey, and one GRANDdaughter Sarah Barnes, all of Columbus, OH. Four sisters, Brenda Warner of Winston Salem, NC, Hilda Reedy of Galax, VA, Kittie Brown of Roanoke, VA, and Jewell Key and husband June of Winston Salem, NC. One sister-in-law Donetta Frith and husband Allen of Johnson City, TN. Several extended family members including Jan Sutter of Gray, TN and Jill Warner of Hot Springs, NC.

The family wishes to acknowledge the special care of the following care givers, Ashley Pruitt, Pat McGlockin, Mike Stophel, Lavern Joyner, Iva Gross, Shirley Bullion, and a special care giver /nephew Buddy Frith. The family requests that memorials be made to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 950 W. Faris Road, Greeneville, SC 29605, in lieu of flowers. Also a special note: If you sent a card, telephoned, or were kind enough to visit Rex personally, we thank you!

Funeral Services will be conducted at 12 Noon, Tuesday, April 6, 2010 in Akard Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Steve Gott of Aldersgate Methodist Church and Dr. Dewey Williams of Belle Meadows Baptist Church officiating. Burial will follow in Glenwood Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Sean Barnes, Bob Smith, Don Turner, William Folkner, Allen Frith, Jr., Gene Hollingshead, Paul Young, and Bill Eades. Honorary pallbearers will be Allen Frith, Dan Owens, Dr. James E. Messimer, David Shumaker, and Dr. David Thompson. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M., Monday, April 5, 2010 at Akard Funeral Home.

Email condolences may be sent to the family at akardfh@akardfuneralhome.com