Obituaries

Mary J. (Durham) Cobb, of Corbin, passed away Monday, May 29, 2017 at her home in Corbin. Mary was a member of West Corbin Baptist Church and a member of the Railroaders group and the D.A.V. Women’s Auxiliary. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Lessie Marino; husbands John L. Durham and James Bradley (JB) Cobb; sons PFC David T. Durham, U.S.M.C. and Larry Lee Durham; brothers, Sam Marino and Joe Marino; and sisters Carmel Lou Lee and Sandra Ann Trosper. She is survived by her children, Joseph P. and Carole Durham of Aberdeen, Washington; Charles Donnie and Sue Durham of Corbin; Gary L. Durham of Corbin; Sandra L....

Geneva Dugger, 77, of Gray, passed away on Sunday May 28, 2017 at Continue Care Hospital in Corbin. Born in Wheelwright, to the late Lee Reed and Mable Isaac Reed, she graduated from Knox Central High School and was a retired train driver after working over 20 years for American Greeting Card in Corbin. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Ray Dugger; and by her mother and father-in-law, Anna Rea Dugger and Estil Dugger. Geneva is survived by her children; Marie Wyatt and William Dugger; grandchildren; Anthony Wyatt, Kristi Wyatt, Christina Dugger, William Lee Dugger, and Zachary Davis; great grandchildren, Kaleb Hurst, Madison Wyatt,...

Daril Lee Parsons, 58, of Town Fork Lane, Williamsburg, departed this life on Saturday, May 27, 2017 at his home. He was born on November 9, 1958 in Whitesburg, to the late Voyne Parsons and Chloe (Boggs) Parsons. He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Donna and Judy; and brothers, Wayne, Curtis, Raymond and Conley. Daril was a carpenter and built in the community of Whitley County for over 30 years. He is survived by his sons, Daril Raymond Parsons (Chestina) of Williamsburg and Ryan Lee Parsons of Jellico; daughter, Sarah Herbert of New Albany, Indiana; step-daughter, Tracy Silcox of Jellico; four grandchildren; one great grandchild; brothers, Carl Parsons of Williamsburg,...

Bobby Gene Ayers, 72, of Lafollette, TN passed away Saturday, May 27, 2017 at the Tennova Residential Hospice in Knoxville, TN. He was born June 15, 1944 in Campbell County, TN. Bobby is preceded in death by his father, William “W.C.” Ayers; mother: Pauline Jordan Ayers; brother, ​W.C. Ayers, Jr. He is survived by son, Darrell Keith Ayers and wife Amanda; daughters, Angela Faye Ayers, Ashley Michelle Ayers; sisters, Faye Bradshaw and husband Jerry, Kaye Spickard and husband George; brothers, Verlin Jordan, ​Willie Gene Ayers; grandchildren, Luke Evan Ayers and wife Sara, Laura Elizabeth Ayers; great grandchild, ​Parker Evan Ayers; and a host of nieces, nephews, friends and family to mourn his...

Mary Lou Hurst, 56, of Rockholds, passed away on Wednesday, May 24, 2017 in Corbin. Born in Corbin, she was the daughter of the late George and Tootsie Imogene Frechette. She was also preceded in death by an infant son, and her sister Betty Nantz. Mary Lou was a lifelong member of Corn Creek Baptist Church, and a longtime parent and grandparent volunteer at the Whitley County Schools. She is survived by her husband Doyle Hurst; children Jessica Hamilton (Ben), Wendy Stamper, Tasha Baynard, and Stacy Hurst; grandchildren Christina Hamilton, Christian Hamilton, Chelsey Hamilton, Brayden Havens-Hamilton, Elaina Havens-Hamilton, Charity Collopy, Malaki Garrison, Emilee Stamper, Morgan Stamper, Aiden Stamper, Bailey Baynard, Conner Baynard...

Ernie Bruce Helton, 53, passed away on Monday, May 22, 2017, at his home in Corbin. He is survived by his wife Rennee Aubrey. Funeral services were held Friday, May 26, at Vankirk-Grisell Funeral Home. Messages may be written to the family at www.vankirkgrisellfuneralhome.com.

Ruby Victoria Napier, 82, the wife of Charlie Napier of Strunk Road, Corbin, passed away on Monday afternoon at her residence. Funeral services were conducted Friday afternoon in Laurel Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Marlow Napier and Bro. Paul Baker officiating. Burial followed in the Locust Grove Cemetery in Keavy. Laurel Funeral Home (formerly Corbin Funeral Home) is in charge of the arrangements.

Paul James Foran, 80, of Greene Township, Cincinnati, passed away on Saturday, May 20, 2017 at Hospice of Cincinnati. Funeral services were held Thursday, May 25, at the Vankirk-Grisell Funeral Home with Rev. Paul Bodenhamer officiating. Burial was at the Rest Haven Cemetery with military honors by Keavy DAV Chapter 158. Messages may be written to the family at www.vankirkgrisellfuneralhome.com.

Ivan Jack “IJ” Owens, 80, of Buck Creek Road, Williamsburg, departed this life on Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at the Jellico Community Hospital in Jellico, TN. He was born on April 2, 1937 in Williamsburg, to the late Woodford Owens and Nona (Vanderpool) Owens. He was also preceded in death by a son, Jackie Wayne Owens. He attended Mt. Ash Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife, Linda Owens of Williamsburg; grandson, Chris Owens and wife Rebecca of Williamsburg; great-grandchildren, Zach Owens and Whitney Owens of Williamsburg; step-son, Rick Carr and wife Rebecca of Jellico; step-daughter, Velvet Carr of Jellico; grandchildren, Janet Turner, Savanah Turner, Ricky Earl Carr, Bobby Rutherford, Stephanie Rutherford,...

Phillip David Lawson, 65, of Rev. H.D. Lawson Road, Williamsburg, departed this life on Sunday, May 21, 2017 at the Williamsburg Health and Rehab Center. He was born on October 2, 1951 in Jellico, TN to the late Ewell Lawson and Anna Roller Lawson. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Jessie Lawson, Woodrow Lawson and Henry Lawson. Phillip was a member of Cooks Baptist Church. He is survived by his daughter, Brittney Lawson of Williamsburg; sons, Phillip Lawson Jr. Marsha) of Toledo, OH and Paul Lawson of Galesburg, IL; grandchildren, Cameron Lawson, Jonah Lawson and Haley Lawson; step-son, Richard Adkins (Amy Sue) and their son, Noah of Temperance, MI;...