Margaret Stepp Ketron

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." ~ Jeremiah 29:11

Margaret Ann Smith Stepp Ketron, 83, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on July 16, 2025 in Kingsport, Tennessee.

Born in Greensboro, North Carolina on October 24, 1941 to Rufus C. Smith and Mildred Duncan Matthews, Margaret will be remembered for her unwavering love and dedication to her family and her steadfast faith in her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Margaret was raised by her mother and step-father, James Matthews in Big Stone Gap, Virginia where she attended East Stone Gap High School. There she met and then married her high school sweetheart, Frank C. Stepp, Sr. in 1959. Together they raised four children in Big Stone Gap, Virginia until Frank’s passing in 1995. Margaret married her devoted husband, Larkin (Zeke) Ketron in 2000 and they have resided in Kingsport, Tennessee.

Margaret was predeceased by her parents; her first husband; her oldest son, Frank C. Stepp, Jr.; her grandson, Phillip Brandon Stepp; and brothers, Robert C. Smith and Kyle J. Smith.  Margaret is survived by her loving husband, Larkin (Zeke) Ketron; her beloved children who were her true pride and joy, David Stepp (Kimberly) of Abingdon, VA, Kathy Earwood (Harold) of Big Stone Gap, VA, and Karen Harless of Kingsport, TN; her grandchildren, Jared Stepp (Courtney), Jessica Pionk (Preston), Julie Lee (Michael), Tabitha Hand (Caleb), Rebekah Childress (Tyler), Caleb Harless, Aaron Earwood, Rachel Earwood, John Harless and Samuel Earwood and 11 great-grandchildren; step-daughters, Diana Harshbarger (Robert) and Debra Rowe and their families; daughter-in-law, Karen Stepp Yalacki; and numerous special nephews, nieces, and friends.

Services will be held for Margaret on Friday, July 18, at Bible Way Baptist Church in Kingsport, Tennessee with visitation from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. Her service with Pastor Rick Vannoy and Pastor Danny Sykes officiating will begin at 12:00 pm with a graveside service at 2:30 pm in Powell Valley Memorial Gardens in Big Stone Gap, Virginia. Her grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

The family would like to express their profound gratitude and appreciation to the staff of The Village at Allandale and Amedisys Hospice for their wonderful care of Margaret.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Bible Way Baptist Church or the charity of your choice or by sending flowers to Margaret’s friends at The Village at Allandale.

Carter-Trent Funeral Home Kingsport is serving the Ketron family.