James "Jim" Marshall Gilreath

James “Jim” Marshall Gilreath, 89, of Wytheville, formerly of Pearisburg, VA., went to be with the Lord on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at Holston Health & Rehab in Wytheville, VA. Jim was born on May 19, 1937, in Ronceverte, WV, and was a son of the late Herbert Chapman Gilreath and Mary Miltilda Casdorph Gilreath.

Jim was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Pearisburg, and a past member of the Pearisburg Lions Club. He taught adult Sunday school classes for over 40 years in three different churches. He was a former reporter and editor of the Bluefield Daily Telegraph, where he won several awards from the West Virginia Press Association, and a former editor of the Virginian Leader newspaper. He was also a co-founder of the Princeton Camera Club and was an excellent photographer.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Jean Adams Gilreath of Wytheville, daughter, Marcia G. Ferris (Steve) of Bluefield, WV., “adopted” son, Brian Manning (Donna) of Prince George, VA, 2 grandsons, Joel Ferris (Katie), Scott Ferris and special friends, Carl Adams of Newport, and Carol Keeton of Blacksburg.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Pearisburg with the Rev. Clay Holt, and Pastor Rick Krietemeyer officiating. The family will receive friends 1 hour before the service, from 11:00 - 12:00. Memorial donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 1101 Valley View Dr., Pearisburg, VA., 24134

The family is being served by Givens Funeral Home in Pearisburg, (540) 921-1650; online at givensfuneral.com