Obituaries

Elise Jean Sawyers, age 48, of Corbin, Kentucky departed this life on July 14, 2023 at the UK Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky. Elise was born on May 29, 1975 in Jellico, Tennessee to Oscar Ball and Mary (Gibson) Ball. She was preceded in death by her father, Oscal Ball and daughter, Francis Sawyers. Elise is survived by her husband, Kenneth Ray Sawyers of Corbin, Kentucky; daughter, Stacie Lynn Sawyers of Corbin, Kentucky; grandchildren, Kalee Bray and Toby Bray; mother, Mary Hamblin of Williamsburg, Kentucky; brother, Ronald Lee Ball of Williamsburg, Kentucky; several nieces and nephews and a host of other family and friends to mourn her passing. Visitation will be 11:00...

Jerry Lee Woods, 78, of Florence, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 15, 2023. He was born on July 18, 1944 in Whitley County, Kentucky, to his late parents A.B. and Bertie Woods. He is also preceded in death by his wife of 46 years, Donna Woods and their son, Jeremy Woods. Jerry is survived by his grandchildren, Jerry, Dylan, Christopher, and Lilly Woods; his sisters, Linda Jo Hamilton and Rhonda Woods-Cassidy (Jerry); his caregiver and special niece, Monica Howard (Lance); and many other nieces and nephews. Jerry was an elementary school teacher; he worked for 4th District School in Covington, as well as Boone County Schools. He will be remembered for his...

Hazel (Anthony) Perciful Sweeney, age 90, of Jellico, Tennessee, passed away Monday morning, July 17, 2023, at the Tennova Healthcare - North Knoxville Medical Center in Powell, TN, surrounded by her family. She was born on March 7, 1933, to the late Luther Anthony and Victoria (Sizemore) Anthony in Bryson City, North Carolina. She was a long-time member of the First Baptist Church of Jellico. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, William Perciful; sister, Lucille (Anthony) King, and brothers, Earl Anthony and Luther Anthony, Jr. She is survived by two sons, Charles Perciful, Jr., and wife, Leana, of Knoxville, TN, and Rudy Perciful, and wife,...

Hazel Sweeney, age 90, of Jellico, TN, passed away Monday, July 17, 2023 at the Tennova Healthcare - North Knoxville Medical Center in Powell, TN. Arrangements are incomplete but will be announced later. Cox & Son Funeral Home of Jellico in charge of arrangements.

John Stanley DeBusk, Sr., age 87, of Corbin, KY, passed away on Thursday, July 13, 2023, at Baptist Health Corbin. Born in Chenoa, KY, he was a son to the late Andrew DeBusk and Ether Campbell DeBusk. John was a veteran of the United States Army and Air Force. He worked as an electrician and marine mechanic and retired from Corbin Marine. He taught Sunday school for 40 years and was a founding member of Solid Rock Missionary Baptist Church. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Steeley Rapier, Sr., and Geneva Cox Rapier; son, John DeBusk, Jr.; son-in-law, Randy Steely; and siblings, Woodrow...

Johnny Tye, age 71, of Corbin, KY, passed away Saturday, July 15, 2023 at Baptist Health Corbin. He was born October 8, 1951 in Harlan, KY, to the late Paul and Lora Alsip Tye. Along with his parents he was preceded in death by one brother, Edward Tye. He is survived by two children, Johnny Wayne Tye (Terri) of Corbin, KY, and Shannon Tye (Barbara) of Corbin, KY; six grandchildren, Lyndsie Perkins, Chrissy Perkins, Aaliyah Meadows (Derek), Logan Tye, Brittany Logan, and Kameron Tye; seven great-grandchildren, Kara, J.D., Ryder, Axyl, Kreed, Blake, and Harley; one brother, Jim Tye (Marlene) of Corbin, KY; several nieces, and nephews; and a host of relatives...

Eric Shelton, age 34, of Williamsburg, KY, passed away Monday, July 10, 2023 at Baptist Health Corbin. He was born October 17, 1988 in Knoxville, TN, to Floyd and Teresa Vanover Shelton, Jr. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Floyd Shelton, Sr., Ruth Shelton, Carlus Vanover, and Amanda Vanover. He is survived by two children, Kaleb Shelton of Williamsburg, KY, and Trinity Shelton of Williamsburg, KY; his father and mother, Floyd and Teresa Vanover Shelton, Jr. of Williamsburg, KY; one sister, Amanda Shelton of Williamsburg, KY; two brothers, Derrick Shelton (Chasity) of Williamsburg, KY, and Anthony Morgan (Felicia) of Williamsburg, KY; eight nieces and nephews, Elijah Murray, Adrianna Murray, Brayden...

Linda Carol “Siler” Anderson, age 80, of Williamsburg, Ky., passed away Tuesday, July 11, 2023 at Baptist Health Corbin. Linda had a difficult battle with illness and is finally at rest. She had a passion for decorating her home and always kept it well maintained. She was born June 2, 1943 in Jellico, Tennessee to the late Lewis E. “Luke” and Maxine Douglas Siler. Along with her parents she was preceded in death by two sisters, Jean Prewitt, Shirley Essex and her husband Bill; a niece, Teresa Essex, and a nephew, Justin Siler. Linda is survived by her husband of 59 years, Kenneth Ray Anderson; daughter, Angelia Chappell; brother, Dr. Jeffrey...

Elisha L. “E. L.” Cooper, age 90, of Jellico, Tennessee, passed away early Friday morning, July 14, 2023, at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, TN. He was born on March 7, 1933, to the late Frank Cooper and Edna Eugene (Jones) Cooper in Jellico, Tennessee. E. L. proudly served our nation in the United States Army during the Korean War, having attained the rank of Corporal. After his service in the U. S. Army, he was hired by Norfolk Southern Railroad where he completed 34 years of faithful service. He was a longtime member of Crouches Creek Baptist Church. He was also a member of Jellico Masonic Lodge, #527 F....

Robert Alan “Bob” Williams, born on April 5, 1964, in Chicago, IL, departed this life for his eternal home on July 13, 2023, in Cleveland, TN. Preceded in death by his parents, Mavis Williams Eckert, Robert Earl Williams, and step-brother Shayne Schloesser. Bob lives on in the hearts of his beloved family, and countless lives he touched. He is survived by his loving wife, Tonya; his children, Josh Williams (Erin), Aryn Bain (Bobby), Jimmy Williams, Ashley Bain; stepmother, Phyllis Williams; his beloved uncle, Jimmy Wierima; and his beloved aunts, Christine (Williams) Garrison and Elaine (Williams) Collins. Bob’s family extended beyond his own children with grandchildren, Ellee Williams, Jocelyn Bell, Oberyn Bell,...