Mary Etta Bales Mulkey

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." — 2 Timothy 4:7 Ms. Mary Etta Bales Mulkey, age 84 of North Tazewell, Virginia, peacefully drew her last breath here on earth and entered her eternal heavenly home on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at a Johnson City, Tennessee hospital following a lengthy illness. She is now resting safely in the arms of her Savior, healed and whole. Mary began her earthly journey on February 26, 1942, in Raven, Virginia. She was the cherished daughter of the late John B. Bales and Lila Marie Reedy Bales. A proud graduate of Richlands High School Class of 1959, Mary went on to further her education, earning her associate's degree in accounting from Southwest Virginia Community College. Throughout her life, Mary served her community with a kind heart and a warm smile. She worked as a pharmacy cashier and later dedicated many years to Premier Bank (now Truist). Even after retiring from the banking industry, Mary’s passion for helping others led her to the classroom, where she loved to fill in as a substitute teacher, bringing joy and guidance to local students. In her spare time, Mary enjoyed the simple blessings of life. She could often be found reading, cooking for those she loved, working puzzles, or tending to the beautiful flowers in her garden. Mary was known for her deeply caring and nurturing spirit, selflessly stepping up as a caregiver to anyone who needed her. Above all else, Mary’s greatest earthly love was her family. She lived out the gospel through her actions, always putting her family first. She found her absolute greatest joy in being a mom, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Mary was a devoted Christian with an unwavering faith in God. She loved the Lord with all her heart and was a faithful member of the Pounding Mill Christian Church, where she proudly and selflessly served as treasurer, elder, and deacon over the years. Mary was the last surviving member of her immediate family, a faithful servant who has now run her race. A joyous reunion took place in heaven as Mary was reunited with her parents; her loving husband, Latha Nelson Mulkey; and her siblings, Ruth Ann Bales Whitt, Nancy Carol Bales, George Gerald Bales, Balford Bales, Jr., Dan E. Bales, Ronald L. Bales, Paul S. Bales, and John F. Bales. Remaining to carry on her loving Christian spirit and beautiful legacy are her beloved family: Her beloved children: Sheila Mulkey Hardy and her husband, Kevin of Jacksonville, NC Gregory D. Mulkey and his wife, Tonia of Tazewell, VA Her joy, her grandchildren, Courtney Mulkey Maynard (Dustin); Caitlin Nichole Camper (Stephen Cayce); Shawn Mulkey (Sami Robinson); Marie Iannone (Nicholas White Eagle); Ashlee Cantu (Javier); Kevin Stevenson and Anthony Mulkey. Great-grandchildren, Eleanor Rose Camper, Madeleine Kate Camper, Olivia Faith Camper, McKenzie Ceit Cayce, Nelson Drew Maynard, Mileena Maynard, Evalina Rose Maynard, Christopher White Eagle, Benjamin White Eagle, Liliana White Eagle, Mila Cantu, Peyton McCulloch. The funeral service for Mary E. Mulkey will be at 1:00 PM on Monday, August 17, 2026, at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Tazewell, Virginia, with Minister Chris officiating. Interment will follow at the Grandview Memory Gardens Cemetery in Bluefield, Virginia. Pallbearers will be Jim Osborne, Shawn Mulkey, Michael Mulkey, Brandon Bales, Scott Mulkey, and Bryan Bales. Honorary pallbearers will be Mark Whitt and James Kidd. The family will receive friends on Monday at the funeral home from 12:00 PM until the time of service. "Well done, good and faithful servant... enter thou into the joy of thy lord." — Matthew 25:21 Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Tazewell, VA, is serving the family of Ms. Mary Etta Mulkey, and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com

Mary Etta Bales Mulkey

February 26, 1942 - August 11, 2026