Obituaries

Donna Estep, 56 of Bonaire, GA formerly of Williamsburg, passed away Saturday, September 29, 2018 at Houston Medical Center in Warner Robbins, GA. She was born February 16, 1962 in Jellico, TN to James William Veach and the late Lennis Jean Hutson Veach. Along with her mother she was preceded in death by a sister Diana Veach Beavers and a brother James William Veach. She is survived by her husband Jeff Estep of Bonaire, GA; daughter, Tabitha Lynn Estep Lee (Jeffrey) of Savannah, GA; son, Joshua James Estep of Bonaire, GA; three grandchildren; Ashton Lee, Taylor Lee and Mason Lee; father, James William Veach of Saxton; sister, Debra Perkins (Gary) of Jellico,...

Lonnie Wayne “Hoot” Hill, Sr., 78, of Corbin, passed away on Thursday, September 27, 2018 at Baptist Health in Corbin. He was born in Warsaw, KY to the late George LaMance Hill and Emma Reed Hill. Wayne was a retired coal miner and was a US Army veteran. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Lanham Hill; grandson, Michael Ray Hill Jr., sisters, Patricia Ann Jones, Sarah St. Andrews, and Vickie Snyder; and by his brothers, George, Albert, Donnie, and Larry Hill. He is survived by his children; Lonnie Hill Jr. (Susan), Darryl Hill (Nicole), Belinda Graves (Bascom), Michael Ray Hill, and Christina Graves; grandchildren;...

Lindsay E. Blankenship, 80, of Pioneer, TN passed away Tuesday, September 25, 2018 at the U.T. Medical Center in Knoxville, TN. He was born February 3, 1938 in Campbell County, TN. Lindsay is preceded in death by wife, Viola Diane Blankenship; parents, Henry and Carrie Douglas Blankenship; brothers, Cecil Blankenship, James Robert Blankenship. He is survived by a son, Lindsay William Blankenship; daughters, Laurie Herndon and husband Elton, Linda Oglesbee and husband Roy; grandson, James Taylor; sisters, Roberta Walker McCullah, Belle Branam, Gloria Mae Anderson, Jean Taylor; and a host of nieces, nephews, friends & family to mourn his passing. The funeral service was held Sunday, September 30, at the Harp Funeral Home Burial...

Mickey Joe Sweet, 67, of Scottsburg, Indiana (formerly of Williamsburg) departed this life on Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at his home. He was born on July 25, 1951 to the late Robert Sweet and Lorella (Wingfield) Sweet. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his daughter, Denise R. Sweet; brother, Roy Sweet; and two sisters, Joy Sweet and Jean Foster. Mickey served in the U.S. Army as Military Police and two tours of Vietnam. He is survived by his two daughters, Vicki Lynn Sweet (husband BJ Johnson) of New Tazewell, TN and Amanda Danielle Lambdin (husband Gary) of Williamsburg, KY; mother of Amanda, Jennifer Sweet of...

Ronald Wesley Leach, 29, of Jellico, TN passed away Monday, September 24, 2018. He was born July 27, 1989 in Jellico, TN. Wesley is survived by a son, Gunner Wesley Leach; mother of his son, Holly Morris; father, David Leach and wife Lisa; mother, Teresa McGhee and husband Kevin; brother, Jason Scott Leach; sisters:Tasha Shelton, Sierra Shelton and Rob Smith, Kristy Pennington andhusband David; grandparents, Alex and Frances Leach; nephews, Bronson Hamilton, Jasper Hamilton; niece, Reagaen Mariah Smith, and a host of family and friends to mourn his passing. The funeral services were held Saturday, September 29 at the Harp Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Mitchell Shelton officiating. Burial followed in the Leach...

Dr. Lee Gatliff Durham, Jr, 73, of Williamsburg, departed this life on Thursday, September 27, 2018 at Central Baptist in Lexington, surrounded by his family. Dr. Durham was born on October 4, 1944 in Williamsburg, and was the youngest child of Lee G. Durham and Dixie Holt Durham. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Grace Faulkner. Lee attended Cumberland College, graduated in 1965, and University of Louisville Medical School, graduating in 1969. After Dr. Durham graduated from medical school, he started a solo practice in Jellico, TN and was instrumental in opening the Jellico Hospital. His professional career included emergency room care, private practice, and nursing home medical...

Duskey Omega “Duck” Simms, 76, of Rockholds, departed this life on Tuesday, September 25, 2018, at St. Joseph London. Born in Fonde, Kentucky on June 29, 1942, Duck was the daughter of the Late Leslie Berry Bowlin and Gertie Mae Wade. Duck was a former employee of Chrysler in Detroit, MI and a Machine Operator for American Greeting of Corbin. Besides her parents, Duck was preceded in death by her husband: David L. “Dave” Simms, three brothers: McKinley Ray Bowlin, Felix Marion “J.M.” Bowlin and Roy Junior Bowlin, a sister, Barbara Lou “Bobbi” Maiden and grandparents Rev. and Mrs. Jesse Wade and Steve and Susie “Maw” (Lundy) Bowlin. Duck is survived by two...

Rev. Elmer Parks, 80, of Tackett Creek Road, Williamsburg departed this life on Monday, September 24, 2018 at Baptist Health in Corbin. He was born on May 22, 1938 in Clearfield, TN to the late Arthur Parks and Jeanette (Thomas) Parks. Elmer preached for 17 1/2 years at Little Wolf Creek Church of God and pastored the congregation for 18 ½ years at Saxton and Briar Creek Church of God. He was a longtime member of the original Mt. Assembly in Williamsburg and general overseer for one year. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his wife, Laura Marie Parks; stepmother, Bertie Durham Parks; brother, Billy Parks;...

Ada Lee Witt, 99, passed away on Monday, September 24, 2018, at Christian Health Center in Corbin. Born in Lee County, VA, she was the daughter of the late Garrett Hobert Estep and Mollie Elizabeth Rowlett Estep. Ada worked in retail sales at both Belks and Buchanan-Wyrick Jewelers. She was a member of Poplar Grove Baptist Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, David H. Witt; and by her grandson, Garrett Witt. Ada is survived by her daughter, Carolyn Sue Herald of Lexington; sons, David Witt (Linda) of Florida and Dennis Witt (Wanda) of Corbin; four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; three sisters and one brother. A graveside service...

Joanna Hall Shepherd, 72, of Corbin, passed away on Monday, September 24, 2018, at Continue Care Hospital in Corbin. Joanna is survived by her husband, Harry Shepherd. A private graveside service was held at Rest Haven Cemetery in Loyal, KY. Vankirk-Grisell Funeral Home was handling arrangements.