Obituaries

It is with loving hearts that we mourn the loss of a beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend, Frieda Edme Cornelius, 89, who peacefully left us on September 14th, 2025. Frieda was born on January 8th, 1936 in Williamsburg, Ohio, to John and Goldie Cuneo. She later made her home in Williamsburg, Kentucky, where she spent her life spreading love and joy to everyone she met. Frieda, a humble woman, dedicated her life to her family and her garden. Her love for flowers and gardening was only surpassed by her love for her children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. As the saying goes, “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow,” and Frieda...

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of the loving and inspiring Shirley Nadine Smith, 77, who graced this earth with her presence on January 2, 1948, and left us on September 15, 2025. Born in Gatliff, KY, Shirley was a beacon of unwavering love and an inspiration to all who were fortunate enough to know her. She was a resident of Keavy, KY, and spent her professional years dedicated to her work at American Greeting, where her warmth and dedication were appreciated by many. Shirley was a woman of many passions, her family and grandchildren being her most cherished ones. She also had an affinity for gospel...

Robert Henry Hicks, age 78, of Jellico, passed away Monday, September 15, 2025, at Baptist Health Corbin. He was born June 15, 1947, in McCreary County, KY. Robert is preceded in death by his wife, Willie (Bruce) Dople Hicks; son, Kevin Hicks; father, James Hobert Hicks; and mother, Elizabeth (Higonbotham) Hicks. He is survived by son, Bobby Ray Hicks; brothers, Alvin Hicks and wife Marie, Carlos Hicks and wife Lisa; sister, Linda Caldwell; stepdaughters, Lisa Chapman and husband Jimmy, Sherry Busbee and husband Donald, and Patty Dople; and a host of nieces, nephews, friends and family to mourn his passing. Funeral services was Tuesday, September 16, at Harp Funeral Home Chapel with...

Jesse L. Bridges, age 91, of Pioneer, Tennessee passed away at home on Thursday, September 11, 2025. He was born March 6, 1934, in Scott County, Tennessee. Jesse is preceded in death by his wife, Henrietta (Botts) Bridges; father, David L. Bridges; mother, Laura Bridges; brothers, Glenboro Bridges, Dale Bridges and wife Kathy, Milford Bridges and wife Dorothy and J.V. Bridges; and sister, Venzetta (Bridges) Beaty. He is survived by brother-in-law, Junior Beaty; sister-in-law, Geneva Bridges; special niece, Pam Smith; special friends, Earl Norman, Jeannie Bridges and late husband Thomas; and a host of nieces, nephews, friends and family to mourn his passing. Funeral service was Sunday, September 14, at Harp Funeral...

Jewel Dean Farmer, a loving and funny soul, departed this life on September 13, 2025, just shy of her 71st birthday. Born in Whitley County, KY on February 6, 1955, Jewell was a ray of sunshine in the lives of many. She spent her life in Corbin, KY, where she was known for her infectious laughter and unending love for her family. Jewel was a lady of many passions, all of which centered around her love for people and her fondness for laughter. Her jovial spirit was best showcased during the many bingo games she partook of, a hobby that filled her heart with joy and her life with camaraderie. Jewell is...

Manford Chumbley, age 67, of Corbin, KY, passed away Saturday, September 13, 2025 at Greg and Noreen Wells Hospice Care Center in Hazard, KY. He was born July 10, 1958 in Harrodsburg, KY, to the late Aris and Donna Turpin Chumbley. Along with his parents he was preceded in death by a sister, Fern Chumbley. He is survived by his wife, Melissa Chumbley of Corbin, KY; daughter, Summer Hamblin (Robert) of Keavy, KY; step-daughter, Tiffany Routien Bentley of Lexington, KY; grandson, Noah Hamblin of Keavy, KY; step-grandson, Jacob Mullins of Winchester, KY; sister, Lisa Chumbley of Lexington, KY; brother, James Chumbley of Columbus, OH; and several nieces, nephews, great nieces, great...

Maurice Saylor, age 76, of the Maple Creek Community Williamsburg, KY, passed away Friday September 12, 2025 at his home. He was born September 11, 1949 in Harlan County, KY to the late Louis Levi and Lutishie McGeorge Saylor. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Earnest Clayton Saylor; three sisters, Irene Laudermilk, Ella Mae Ebbey and Marie Gross. Maurice was a disabled veteran having served in the Vietnam era. He was on the Deans list at Somerset Community College. He was a member of the Yaden Church of God. He is survived by his wife, Nernie F. Saylor; two children, Kevin Maurice Saylor and Regina Dismuke;...

Bill McFarland, age 93, of Corbin, KY, passed away Thursday, September 11, 2025 at Baptist Health Corbin. He was born August 22, 1932 in Parkersburg, WV, to the late Keith and Mamie Mayne McFarland. Along with his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Henrietta Penny McFarland; three children, Bud McFarland, Frankie McFarland, Mack McFarland; three grandchildren, Missy, Willy, Sarah; and five siblings. He is survived by three children, Sandy Tufts (Chuck) Spring City, TN, Terry McFarland (Kim) of Spring City, TN, and Mona Lisa Guillermo of Corbin, KY; 10 grandchildren, Beth Anne Leavitt, Chuckie Tufts, Jennifer Bostic, Terry Lynn McFarland, Tara McFarland, Emily McFarland, Josh McFarland, Naaman McFarland, Nathaneal...

Connie Lee Wells, age 67, of Corbin, Kentucky, passed away peacefully on September 12, 2025. Born on July 16, 1958 in Orlando, Florida to Dorothy and the late Edgar Lay, Connie was a beacon of warmth and love in the lives of all who knew her. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, whose greatest joy came from being surrounded by her family. Her presence will be deeply missed, but her spirit will continue to live on through the love and memories she shared with her loved ones. Connie is survived by her loving husband, Bobby Wells; her daughters, Heather Fore, Megan Clemons, and Aubree Birchfield; her...

Barbara Gail Crawford-Price, 76, born on September 30, 1949, in Williamsburg, Kentucky, sadly passed away on September 10, 2025. Known for her love of reading, Gail was a constant source of wisdom and comfort to her family and friends. She was a proud mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunt, who will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Gail is survived by her son, Stuart and wife Krysti of Williamsburg, Kentucky; her siblings, Kathy Petrey and husband Aubra of Corbin, Kentucky and Karen McKinney and husband Tommy of Corbin, Kentucky; her grandchildren, Alex Conlin (Alexa) of Williamsburg, Kentucky and Kaylee Conlin of Williamsburg, Kentucky; her great-grandchildren, Grayson Conlin, Annalynn Conlin,...