Obituaries

Andrew J. (A.J.) Lawson, age 79, departed this life July 30, 2026, at his home in the Boston community of Whitley County. A.J. was born March 4, 1947, to the late Andrew and Nannie (Gosnell) Lawson. In addition to his parents, A.J. was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 39 years, Patricia Hall Lawson; father and mother-in-law, Clyde and Francis Hall; sisters, Bonnie Russell, Sandra Bogan, and Barbara Coffee; brothers-in-law, Kenneth Lewis, Ronald Hall and Jim Trimble; sisters-in-law, Ethel Lawson and Janet Lawson. A patriotic and brave American, A.J. proudly served his country as a decorated Vietnam War veteran, earning two Purple Hearts. Professionally, he spent most of...

Sharon Taylor Sims, 84, of Daytona Beach, Florida, passed away peacefully at her home on July 28, 2026. Born on April 7, 1942, in Detroit, Michigan, Sharon was raised in Williamsburg, Kentucky, where she developed the deep love of family that would define her life. A graduate of Eastern Kentucky University, Sharon began her career as an elementary school teacher, where she loved her students, and they loved her in return. She later spent many years with the Kentucky Department for Employment Services, retiring as a branch office manager, and continued serving her community as a volunteer election poll worker after retirement. On September 5, 1987, she married Jimmy Alan Sims. Together...

Nancy Waller, 90, born November 23, 1935, in Williamsburg, KY, passed away on July 31, 2026. She was a loving and smart woman, who lived a fulfilling life surrounded by those she held dearest. Nancy attended of the Buffalo Missionary Baptist Church; she was known for her faith and the love she carried for her family. Nancy is survived by her daughter, Kathy Singley and husband Darrell of Corbin, KY; and her son, Ed Waller Corbin, KY. She was a proud and loving grandmother to Kayla Crabtree (Travis), Jaron Singley, and Jessie Powell (Jonathan). Her great-grandchildren, Conner Crabtree, Jason Crabtree, and Elaina Powell, were sources of immense joy and pride in...

Arnold Hamlin, age 91, of Williamsburg, KY, passed away Monday, July 27, 2026 at his home. He was born September 15, 1934 in McCreary County, KY, to the late Loren and Mahala Ball Hamlin. Along with his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Doris Meadors Hamlin; a daughter, Mary Hamlin Strunk; one brother, Eugene Hamlin; and two sisters, Christine Stephens, and Reba Lay. He is survived by two grandchildren, Adam Strunk (Hope) of Nicholasville, KY, Jacob Strunk of Lexington, KY; two great-grandchildren, Leo Strunk, Mia Strunk; son-in-law, Ken Strunk of Lexington, KY; two brothers, Ronald Ray Hamlin of Cincinnati, OH, Donald Hamlin of Williamsburg, KY; sister-in-law, Myrtle Hamlin...

BJ “Sleepy” Edwards, age 81, of Williamsburg, KY, passed away Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at Baptist Health Lexington. She was born March 15, 1945 in Campbell County, TN. She is survived by her husband, Vic Edwards of Williamsburg, KY; two children, Stacey Wilhite (Brandon) of Milford, IN, Luke Edwards (Hayley) of Williamsburg, KY; five grandchildren, Cooper Paul, Molly Edwards, Linux Wilhite, Grace Wilhite, Rose Wilhite; and a host of relatives and friends to mourn her passing. Funeral service was Sunday, July 26, at the Immanuel Baptist Church in Williamsburg, KY, with Rev. James Hodge officiating. Interment followed in the Highland Park Cemetery Ellison Addition. Condolences may be made to the family at www.ellisonfh.com. Ellison...

Charlotte Lonell (Terry) Eaton, 78, of Corbin, Kentucky, passed away July 23, 2026. She was born on October 7, 1947, in Corbin, Kentucky, the daughter of the late Lonnie Terry and the late Jackie Oberle. Charlotte was a lifelong member of Oak Grove Baptist Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Judy Wells Johnson and Karen Wilson. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Bobby Joe Eaton, whom she married August 12, 1967; her son, Andrew Joe Eaton, and his fiancé, Kimberly Miller; her sisters, Marlene Howard and Joetta Jackson; her grandchildren, Jacob Walton (Natasha), Brandi Eaton, Elizabeth Eaton, Collin Boerger, Brent Miller, and...

Shirley Ann Perry, age 76, of Little Wolf Creek in Williamsburg, Kentucky, passed away on Friday, July 24, 2026, at Williamsburg Health & Rehabilitation. Born on September 24, 1949, in Harlan, Kentucky, she was the daughter of the late George Stevens and Ann Napier Stevens. Shirley was a devoted member of Wolf Creek Church of God and enjoyed a life centered around her faith, family, and friends. She had formerly been employed by Lion Uniform. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Danny Joe Perry; and her brothers, Dalton Stevens and James Stevens. She is survived by her loving son, Daniel Perry and wife, Linda,...

Barbara Ann Moore, 73, a loving soul and beacon of kindness, was born on May 25, 1953, in Harlan, KY, and resided in Williamsburg, Kentucky. A woman of immeasurable warmth, Barbara’s life was a testament to the power of love, service, and compassion. As a retired librarian from Franklin Memorial Library, she opened countless doors of imagination and knowledge for the young minds who walked through her library doors. Beyond her professional life, Barbara cherished the simpler pleasures of life, such as bass fishing, antiquing, and traveling with her mother. Barbara and Ronnie both loved spending summers with their grandchildren, Nicholas, Hannah, and Abby, exploring and playing as they grew...

Deanna Corey Andrews, 78, of Williamsburg, Kentucky, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital in Somerset, Kentucky. Deanna was born on October 19, 1947, in Barbourville, Kentucky, to the late Reid Brown Corey and Lois McNeil Corey Butler. She attended Knox Central High School in Barbourville and Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond. She spent many years working for the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services before retiring. Her former coworkers remember her as someone who was always willing to help, patiently guide others, and make the workplace brighter simply by being there. More than anything, Deanna loved her family. She was a devoted mother,...

Pat Michael Marple was born February 21, 1947, in Jellico, TN and departed this life on July 15, 2026. Pat lived a life marked by humility, service, and steadfast faith. For over half a century, he owned and operated Williamsburg Dry Cleaners, where he greeted every customer with warmth and treated every garment with care. His business wasn’t just a livelihood — it was a place where friendships were formed, stories were shared, and community was built. His greatest calling, however, was serving God. He was a faithful member of Main Street Baptist Church, where he served as Deacon, head usher, Sunday School teacher, and a trusted leader. His ministry wasn’t a...