Mr. Burchel Blevins, 79, of Artemus, passed away peacefully on Thursday afternoon, October 19, 2023 at his home surrounded by his devoted wife, Rita, his beloved sons and daughter, and his family and friends. He was the son of JD and Nannie Abner Blevins and was born on April 25, 1944 in Disappointment, Kentucky.
On October 6, 1961, he united in marriage with Rita Sowders and went on to have two sons, a daughter, 11 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren. Burchel and Rita recently celebrated 62 loving years of marriage.
Burchel became a faithful follower of Christ in 1981 and attended First Baptist Church Artemus and Highland Park Baptist Church. Burchel was also a member of the Masonic Mountain Lodge 187 for 47 years.
Burchel was a Heavy Equipment Operator and Master Plumber. He owned Burchel Blevins and Sons, Inc., offered custom excavation, and was the previous owner of Blevins Market where he was a favorite of locals to come in and have coffee with.
Burchel was preceded in death by his father and mother, JD and Nannie “Big Mommy” Blevins, his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Floyd and Bertha Sowders, his brothers, Ricky Blevins and Ray Blevins, and his brothers-in-law, Don Hammons, Frank Merida, and Johnny Root.
As Burchel has gone home to be with the Lord, he is survived by his wife of 62 years, Rita Blevins of Barbourville; his two sons, Floyd Blevins and wife Connie, Mike Blevins and wife Sherri, and his daughter, Susie Blevins Prichard and husband John; his sisters, Faye Hammons, Claudia Sue Merida, Brenda Root, and Jennifer Cobb and husband Robert; his brothers, Don Blevins and wife Kay, Ersel Wayne Blevins and wife Ruth, Gary Blevins and wife Kathy, and Sidney Blevins and wife Loretta; his grandchildren: Dillion Blevins and Lindsey, Holly Blevins and Dustin, Brandon Griffith and Samantha, Rebekah Griffith, Bob Blevins and LeeAnn, Samantha Smith and Tim, Sadie Blevins, Hannah Barger and Matthew, Blevin Campbell, Spencer Prichard, and Shelby Prichard; his great-grandchildren: Jazmine Blevins, Cody Blevins, Charles Michael Blevins, Garrett Nantz, Easton Griffith, Colton Elder, Jaylynn Bowling, Nolan Blevins, Cade Blevins, Audree Blevins, Kaylynn Smith, Cash Smith, JT Smith, James Bryant Barger, and Baylor Barger; his special family, Jeff McWilliams and wife Angela, Jenny Valentine and Gus, and Terry Smith; and other loved ones and dear friends.
His funeral service will be conducted in the chapel of the Knox Funeral Home Wednesday, October 25 at 2 P.M. with Rev. Jared Styles and Rev. William Man Cobb officiating. He will be laid to rest in the Blevins Cemetery at Pea Ridge.
Casket bearers will be his grandchildren, Dillion Blevins, Bob Blevins, Blevin Campbell, Spencer Prichard, Brandon Griffith, Tim Smith, Dustin Bowling, and Matthew Barger.
Honorary casket bearers will be Dr. Tom Ashburn, Johnny Detherage, Sam Watts, John S. Brock, Bradley Trent, Mike Smitherman, Wendell Hinkle, Wilbur Bingham, Paul Baker, Curt Rose, his nephews and great nephews, and the staff of the Knox County Ambulance Service.
Friends may visit at the funeral home Tuesday, October 24 between 5 P.M. and 9 P.M. and Wednesday morning between 9 A.M. and 2 P.M.
Arrangements are under the direction of Knox Funeral Home.
Send a condolence to the family of BURCHEL BLEVINS.
For questions about our obituaries or condolence service, please contact us. You may reach us via e-mail at knoxfuneralhome@barbourville.com. Reach us via phone by calling 606-546-2222.
