Obituaries

Darla Christine Smith-Fuson, was born on June 3, 1967, in Corbin, she has departed from this world on November 3, 2023, leaving behind an irreplaceable void in the hearts of those she knew. Darla was a thoughtful and loving individual who touched the lives of many with her kindness and compassion. A devoted member of the Clearfork Baptist Church in Williamsburg, KY, she lived her life in accordance with the teachings of the Bible, particularly the verse from Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” In the course of her life, Darla dedicated herself to...

Irene Noe, a resident of Corbin, Kentucky, passed away on November 5, 2023. Born on October 5, 1937, in Corbin, KY, Irene touched many lives with her priceless spirit of love and care. She was a faithful caregiver and her selfless devotion in her personal and professional life was a testament to her loving nature. As Helen Keller once said, “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.” This sentiment encapsulates the essence of Irene’s life and legacy. Irene is survived by her children, William “Bill” (Bessie) Wood, Joyce Wood, and Polla (David) Price. She was a proud grandmother to...

Faye E. Hedrick Pickard, 89, of Corbin, Kentucky, went home to be with her Lord and Savior while at U.K. Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky, on Sunday, November 5, 2023. Faye, throughout her life, was a devoted wife, loving daughter and mother, proud grandmother, and wonderful sister, aunt, and friend. While she was smart and witty, and also an avid reader, she more importantly was a faithful prayer warrior, who read her Bible daily. She was a dedicated member of New Hope Ministries Church of God in Corbin. Faye loved her Sunday School class and until recently, her ministry consisted of sending cards of encouragement, love and sympathy, and birthday cards to...

Ardra Fuson, age 82, of the Fairview Community in South Whitley County passed away on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at the Jellico Regional Hospital in Jellico, TN. Ardra is preceded in death by her parents, Jesse Douglas and Rose (Meadows) Douglas; siblings, James Douglas, Bill Douglas, Claude Douglas, Monroe Douglas, Charles Douglas, Nadeen Woods, and Alva Sue Head; and son-in-law, Bill Shelton. She is survived by her husband of nearly 66 years, Robert Fuson; daughter, Cheryl (Fuson) Shelton; sons, Bobby Daryl Fuson and wife Murriel Fuson, Dale Fuson and wife Jill Fuson; sister, Colleen Oliver; grandchildren, Bobby D. Fuson II., Alexander Fuson, Cheyenne (Fuson) Moats, Brandon Fuson, Jana (Fuson) Washington, Amber...

Jim Hamblin, age 82 of Williamsburg, KY, passed away Monday, October 30, 2023 at his home. He was born May 7, 1941 in Whitley County, KY, to the late Pleas and Lucy Rains Hamblin Wells. Along with his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce Ann Hamblin; a son, Cecil “Buck” Hamblin; great-granddaughter, Lola Mullis; brother, Elmer Lee Wells; two sisters-in-law, Bertha Wells, and Mary Wells. He is survived by five children, Ella Gist of Middlesboro, KY, Karen Hill of Williamsburg, KY, Brenda Hamblin of Williamsburg, KY, Donna Cox (James) of Williamsburg, KY, and Teresa Hamblin of Williamsburg, KY; a special step-daughter, Melinda Howard; 11 grandchildren, Melinda Mays,...

Wanda Ellis, age 76, of Williamsburg, KY, passed away Saturday, November 4, 2023 at Saint Joseph Hospital Lexington, Ky. She was born January 25, 1947 in Corbin, KY, to the late Ellis and Retha Prewitt Marsee. Along with her parents she was preceded in death by her son in law, Gopal Prakash. She is survived by her husband, Paul Ellis of Williamsburg, KY; three children, Stacey Prakash of Williamsburg, KY, Stephanie Jones (Tom) of Williamsburg, KY, and Paula Gammon (Michael) of Williamsburg, KY; seven grandchildren, Sydney Prakash, Molly Prakash, Olivia Gammon, Myra Gammon, Jude Gammon, Isaiah Jones, and Micah Jones; one sister, Betty Richardson of Williamsburg, KY; one brother Verlin Marsee...

Ruth (Carroll) Douglas Gilreath Sharp, age 101, of Jellico, Tennessee, passed away late Saturday morning, November 4, 2023, at the Christian Health Center in Corbin, Kentucky. She was born on August 1, 1922, to the late Shird Carroll and Sarah (Douglas) Carroll in Jellico. Ruth was a long-time member of the Kentucky Hill Baptist Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three husbands, William Luther Douglas, Jack Gilreath, and Delous Sharp; infant daughter, Peggy Jean Douglas; two grandchildren, Billy Douglas and Trena Jane (Douglas) Bower; several brothers and sisters; and daughter-in-law, Pricilla Douglas. She is survived by her son, Wayne Douglas, of Goshen, Indiana; step-son, Jamey Tanner, of...

Leon “Ralf” Edward Deane, Jr., age 50, went home to be with Jesus on Tuesday, October 31, 2023, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born April 26, 1973, in Tampa, Florida. Ralf was preceded in death by grandson, Carson Sammuel Deane; dad, Bill Lay; sister, Carla Rena Lawson-Knight. He is survived by wife, Martha (Kennedy) Deane; sons, Leon Edward Deane, III. (Machalla Perkins), Arron Clayton Deane, and Ewan Ayden Deane; grandchildren, Leon Edward Deane, IV., Conner Wayne Deane, Avery Faith Deane, and Ada Marie Deane; mother, Una Louise (Blankenship) Greene and husband Paul; father, Leon Edward Deane, Sr. and Marilyn; stepmom, Libby Lay; brothers, Shawn Deane, and Randy...

Josie Marie Sanders, age 95, of Middlesboro, Kentucky passed away Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at Beech Tree Post-Acute and Rehabilitation Center. She was born July 1, 1928, in Clinton, Tennessee. Josie was preceded in death by her father, Robert E. Lee Lawrence; mother, Deloris Sanders; several brothers and sisters. She is survived by her daughter, Debra Sander; sons, George Wesley Sanders, Robert Lawrence Sanders, Marshall Tremblay Sanders, and Terry Lee Sander; seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; and a host of friends to mourn her passing. No services are planned. Harp Funeral Home of Jellico in charge of arrangements.

Margaret Jones, age 93, of Corbin, KY, passed away Monday, October 30, 2023 at Williamsburg Health and Rehabilitation Center. She was born April 18, 1930 in Whitley County, KY, to Press and Rhoettia Hill McKeehan. Along with her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Albert Jones; her son, Gary Boyd Jones; great-granddaughter, Riley Kate Hubbard; and 12 siblings. Margaret was the oldest living member of Buffalo Missionary Baptist Church. She is survived by five children, David Jones (Maxine) of Corbin, KY, Linda Jones of Lexington, KY, Bonnie Satterfield (Bill) of Rockholds, KY, Carl Jones (Brenda) of Corbin, KY, and Vernon Jones (Sandy) of Corbin, KY; 11 grandchildren; Albert Jones...