Stephen (Steve) M. Quillen

Stephen (Steve) M. Quillen, age 92 of Lebanon, Virginia died January 14, 2025 at Commonwealth Senior Living Center in Abingdon, Va. He practiced law in Lebanon for 61 years (1958 to 2019). Steve worked as an attorney until he was 86 and is the last surviving member of the Quillen & Quillen law firm in Lebanon. His father, Ira M. Quillen, practiced in Lebanon from 1924 until his untimely death in 1956. Steve's grandfather, S.B. Quillen, practiced from 1895 until 1965. Steve served on the Board of Virginia Bar Examiners for 36 years and was the President of the Board from 2014 until his retirement in 2019.

He was born December 24, 1932 in Lebanon, son of the late Ira M. Quillen, and the late Bernice Hargis Quillen. He graduated from Virginia Episcopal School in 1951 and earned a B.A. from Washington & Lee University in 1955. He received a law degree there in 1957. Steve served in the Judge Advocate General's Corps from 1957 until 1968. He was promoted to Captain by the time he left the Army.

He is survived by his brother James William Quillen (Bill) his wife, Donna, from Knoxville, his son, Ira M. Quillen, II of Lebanon, and his daughter, Suzanne Quillen Mays, (Ron) of Marvin, N.C. He was predeceased by his son Richard Lee Quillen (1961-2012), his wife of 51 years, Nancy Campbell Quillen (1934-2009) and his mother and father. He had three grandchildren, Morgan Mays, from Charlotte, Ally Mays Patterson (Conner) from Charlotte, and Casey Quillen Powers (Anthony) of Abingdon, Virginia. He also had one great grandson, Wesley Luke Patterson of Charlotte.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 17th followed by a Celebration of Life from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. at the Combs-Hess Funeral and Cremation Service in Lebanon, Virginia with Rev. Myers Vicars officiating. A private graveside ceremony will follow at the Russell Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be sent in Steve’s memory to the Isaiah 117 House located in Lebanon, Virginia (donations can be made on-line). We want to extend a special thank you to the people at Commonwealth Senior Living Center in Abingdon and also to the special care provided by Jill with hospice. 

Expressions of sympathy may be made on the Combs-Hess Funeral and Cremation Service website at www.chfunerals.com. Combs-Hess Funeral and Cremation Service, 291 Highway 71 Fincastle Road, Lebanon, VA 24266, (276) 889-4444 is serving the Quillen family.