Obituaries

Jess Russell White, 94, of Jonesboro, Arkansas passed from this life on June 16, 2023. He was born in Williamsburg, Kentucky, January 30, 1929. Dr. White graduated from Williamsburg High School, where he played on the basketball and baseball teams. He was a member of Williamsburg’s basketball team that won the Thirteenth Regional Tournament to play in the State Tournament in Louisville, losing in the first round to Breckenridge Academy, the eventual winner of the tournament. Some other members of the team were Scottie Perkins, Johnny Renfro, Bob Petrey, Sis Smith, Charles Watson and Harold Browning. He held degrees from Cumberland College (now the University of the Cumberlands), Eastern Kentucky University, and...

Barbara Anne Knipp Storms, age 67, of Rockholds, Kentucky departed this life on July 7th, 2023 at the Baptist Health in Corbin, Kentucky. Barbara was born on August 10th, 1955 in Detroit, Michigan. Barbara was preceded in death by her mother, Shirley (King) Pierson; father, Robert Joseph Knipp; brother, Gary Knipp, and step-father, John Pierson. Barbara taught special education at Whitley County High School and retired in 2015. Barbara is survived by her loving husband of 27 years, Estle J. Storms of Rockholds, Kentucky; seven children, Jamie Gambrell (Theresa) of London, Kentucky, Jason Gambrell (Jodie) of Williamsburg, Kentucky; Janine Sutton (John) of Westerville, Ohio, Joseph Gambrell of Rockholds, Kentucky, Jeffrey Gambrell (Mary)...

Dr. Elbert Lewis Ballou DMD, 87, of Williamsburg, Kentucky departed this life on July 7, 2023 at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky. He was born to the Late R.D. Ballou and Ann (Bogie) Ballou on March 22, 1936 on family farm located on Mt. Morgan Road in Williamsburg, KY. Along with his parents he was preceded in death by his wife of over 59 years, Mrs. Norma Sue Jones; his loving grandson, Dempsey Ballou; and one brother Dr. Sam Ballou. Dr. Ballou owned and operated EL Ballou Dentistry for over 53 until his retirement in 2017. He was a University of Kentucky graduate followed by graduating at the...

Della (Smith) Lawson, died at home on July 7, 2023 at the age of 90. She passed while being cared for by family, friends and Hospice. Della is survived by her sister, Bertha (Smith) Crawford of Toledo Ohio; and her great-granddaughter Alysha Moses of Barbourville, Ky. She is predeceased by her husband, Herbert “Gene” Lawson; son, Larry Lawson; daughter, Sandra (Lawson) Moses; grandson, Jody Moses; brothers, Hubert Smith, Lester Smith, Verlyn Smith, Earl Smith, Claude Patton “CP” Smith, Harold Smith, Johnny Smith, David “Buddy” Smith, and Joseph “Paul” Smith; sisters, Joie (Smith) Petrey, and twin sister, Stella (Smith) Lawson. Della was born on July 26, 1932 to Claude Patton and Evelyn (Bryant) “Eva”...

Dewain Moses, age 61, previously of Woodbine, Kentucky succumbed to cancer and departed this life on Monday, July 10, 2023 at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital. He was born on May 28, 1962 in Jellico, Tennessee. He was preceded in death by parents, Benny Lee ‘Buck’ Moses Sr, and Shirley (Leach) Moses; brother, Benny Lee Moses, Jr.: sister, Sherice Lynn Moses; grandparents, Walter Leach, Viola McCall, Rosetta Kirkland; brother-in-law, Timothy Cox; and sister-in laws, Karon and Alisa Moses. He is survived by daughter, Sherice Smith and her husband Josh; and three beautiful grandsons, Desmon, Gabriel and Scout. He is also survived by brother Rick Moses and sister Tami Cox Mason (Mike); nephews, Dusty, Ryan...

Steve Perry, age 64, of Williamsburg, Kentucky departed this life on July 11, 2023 at his home. Steve was born on November 7, 1958 in McCreary County, Kentucky to Clarence Perry and Ann (Perkins) Perry. Steve is preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Ann (Perkins) Perry and brother, Marvin Perry. He is survived by his wife, Shirley (Brooks) Perry of Williamsburg, Kentucky; daughter, Grace Wilson (George); and sister, Debbie Shelley; and a host of other family and friends to mourn his passing. Visitation will be 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Saturday, July 15, at the Croley Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral service will be at 2:00 PM on Sunday, July 16, at...

Pastor Robert (Bob) Van Keuren, age 88, of Williamsburg, Kentucky passed away peacefully on July 3, 2023. Robert was born November 11, 1934 in Oakland, California to Paul Richard Van Keuren and Grace Elenor (Leary) Van Keuren. He was preceded in death by his sister, Mary (Van Keuren) Cole and both parents. Robert is survived by his wife of over 60 years, Vennie (Sira) Van Keuren, originally from Hayward, California; daughters, Cindy Condict and husband Jon of Griffith, Indiana, Barbie Sanguinetti and husband Jim of Santa Cruz, California, and Grace Hurst and husband Darrell of Williamsburg, Kentucky; thirteen grandchildren, Donnie (Dawn) Sanguinetti, Holly (Duane) Foley, Jonathan Condict, Jessica Condict, Darrell (Brittany) Hurst...

Raymond Harold Higginbotham, age 90, of Williamsburg, Kentucky departed this life on July 8, 2023 at the Heritage in Corbin, Kentucky. Raymond was born on January 9, 1933 in Williamsburg, Kentucky to Azrie Higginbotham and Verlie (Meadors) Higginbotham. He was preceded in death by his parents, Azrie and Verlie (Meadors) Higginbotham; wife, Phyllis Lynn (Creekmore) Higginbotham; brother, H. C. Higginbotham; and sister, Betty Ruth Jones. Raymond enjoyed spending time with his family (especially his loving grandchildren), hunting, fishing, and gardening. Raymond is survived by his sons, Larry Higginbotham (Becky) of Woodbine, Kentucky, Boyd Higginbotham of Williamsburg, Kentucky, and Shannon Higginbotham (Elizabeth) of Williamsburg, Kentucky; grandchildren, Sarah Rivera, Tabitha Buchanan, Julia Buchanan,...

Judy Ruth (Brown) Collins, 74, of Corbin, KY passed on Thursday, July 6, 2023 at Baptist Health in Corbin. Judy was born on October 24, 1948 in Rockholds, KY to the late Opal (Terrell) Pfoff and late Robert Cecil Brown. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Donald Hal Collins; sisters Carol (Smith) Rose and Cleta Mae Smith; brothers James (Jimmy) Smith and Bobby Joe Smith. She is survived by her only son, Donald Andrew (Andy) Collins of Corbin, KY; brother, Paul Brown of Corbin, KY; sister, Jewell (Pfoff) Farmer of Corbin, KY; and a number of nieces, nephews and other family and friends to mourn her...

Willard Howard Farris passed away peacefully at home on July 11, 2023 at the age of 75. He was born on June 1, 1948 in Harlan, Kentucky to the late Raymond H. Farris and June Huddleston Farris. He grew up in Williamsburg, Kentucky and earned a teaching degree from Cumberland College. He went on to earn his Masters Degree and Rank 1 and 2 certifications. Coach Farris taught school for 40 years from 1970 to 2010. He came to the Corbin school system in 1974. Most remember him as an assistant coach on the boys varsity football teams who won three state championship titles and two runner up titles. From 1974 through...