Obituaries

John Emmit Ball, age 70, of Bowlin Road, Williamsburg, Kentucky, departed this life on December 3, 2019, at his home. He was born on December 10, 1948 in Williamsburg, Kentucky, to Edward Ball and Emma (Marsee) Ball. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Emma (Marsee) Ball; three sisters, Ruby Minks, Mary Prewitt and Helen Creekmore; infant brother, Carl Ball; and brother-in-law, Jimmy Jarboe. He was a member of the Emlyn Baptist Church, serving as Deacon since 1985. One of the founding members of the Emlyn Voluntary Fire Department, Vietnam Veteran serving in the US Army, and member of the Masonic Lodge 490 F&AM. He is survived by his...

Floyd T. Curd, age 85, of Corbin, passed away on Tuesday, December 3, 2019, at Baptist Health in Corbin. He was born in Williamsburg, a son to the late Jennings Bryan “Babe” Curd Sr, and Ethel Rose Curd. He was a respected pharmacist in the Corbin area. Floyd was Baptist by faith and was Deacon Emeritus and member of the choir at Central Baptist Church since 1986. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club, the Jacob Carr Sunday School Class, the Central Baptist Church Golden 50’s, and active in the Central Baptist Church Men’s Prayer Group “Band of Brothers”. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by...

Mr. Herrell Wayne Smallwood, age 68, of Caryville, Tennessee, formerly of Corbin, Kentucky, passed away on Wednesday morning, December 4, 2019 at the Methodist Hospital in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 6 in the Laurel Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Ronnie Smith officiating. Entombment will follow in the Cumberland Memorial Gardens at Lily. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 11:00 AM-1:00 PM. Laurel Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Charlene Arnella Jones, age 78, of Frakes KY, passed away on Friday, November 29, 2019, at her home. Charlene was born March 21, 1941, in Siler, KY, to the late Estal and Margret Paul Jones. Charlene was a member of the Big Poplar Creek Missionary Baptist Church and was happily married for 56 years. Charlene is survived by her husband, Jimmy Jones, of Frakes, KY; three children, Pamela Taylor of Corbin, KY, Tim Jones (Kim) of Mt. Washington, KY, and Kimberly Powers (Jamie) of Frakes, KY; two sisters, Irene Willert of Sevierville, TN and Wilma Carroll of Siler, KY; two brothers, Dennis Jones of Corbin, KY and Truman Jones of Dayton, OH;...

Rev. George Peace, age 90, of Highway 92 East, Siler, Kentucky, departed this life on Sunday, December 1, 2019, at his home. He was born on September 28, 1929, in Siler, Kentucky, to the late Henry Ed and Harriett Love (Riggs) Peace. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Emmadean (Jones) Peace; daughter, Taffy Shelton; and sons-in-law, Hugh Everett Shelton and Robert Loemker. George pastored at Walbridge Missionary Baptist Church, Old Fashioned Missionary Baptist Church, Cooks Missionary Baptist Church, Big Poplar Creek Missionary Baptist Church and Beach Bottom Missionary Baptist Church.  He enjoyed spending time outdoors, hunting, fishing and being with his family. He had a love for...

James Privett, 63, of Williamsburg, KY, passed away Thursday, November 28, 2019, at his home. He was born October 4, 1956, in Dayton, OH, to the late Francis Privett. Along with his mother, he was preceded in death by his grandmother, Myrtle Privett; his papaw, Bradley Privett; and a host of aunts and uncles. Privett served the Williamsburg Fire Department for 35 years. He served more than 20 years of that career as the Williamsburg fire chief. He is survived by two children, Cathy Ward (Michael) of Williamsburg, KY, and John Privett (Diane) of Corbin, KY; four grandchildren, Emily Frazier, Caleb Ward, Bentley Privett and Brody Privett; one brother, Herschel...

Brenda Darnell Thornhill, age 71, of North Highway 25-W, Williamsburg, Kentucky, departed this life on Thursday, November 28, 2019, at her home.  She was born on November 11, 1948, in Kajay, Kentucky, to the late Jess and Dora Mae (Evans) Blair.  She was also preceded in death by her husband, David Thornhill and a host of brothers and sisters. She is survived by her daughter, Jeanine Ronsen of Williamsburg; grandson, Sean Ronsen Jr. of Williamsburg; three sisters, Jean Gibbons (Bob) of Portland, Tennessee, Beaunna Tidwell of Portland, Tennessee and Elaine Owens (Eddie) of Whitehouse, Tennessee;  beloved pet, Jake Thornhill; many nieces and nephews; and a host of other family and...

Richard N. Yingling, 79, of Corbin, passed away on Sunday, December 1, 2019, at Baptist Health Corbin. He is survived by his wife, Lois Spurlock Yingling. The family has chosen cremation. There will be no service or visitation at this time. Messages may be written to the family at vankirkgrisellfuneralhome.com. Vankirk-Grisell Funeral Home in charge.

Rita Sue Grace Smith, age 80, of Corbin, passed away on Friday, November 29, 2019, at Hillcrest Health and Rehabilitation in Corbin. Born in Kettle Island, Kentucky, to the late Herbert Parker Grace and Lena Mae LeFevers Grace,  Rita was also preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Sam B. Smith.  Together they served many local Baptist churches for over 50 years.  Rita recently retired after 38 years as the  Activities Director for Christian Care Communities in Corbin. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Doyle Curtis Grace and Ronald Grace; and by a grandson, Timothy David Smith. Rita is survived by her son,...

Margie Lowe, age 91, of Wilmore, Kentucky, departed this life on Thursday, November 28, 2019, at her home. She was born on May 26, 1928, in Williamsburg, Kentucky, to the late Jim and Mary (Powers) Rose. She was also preceded in death by her husband, J.C. Lowe; a daughter, Willidean Daniels and her husband, Noah; son, James Lowe; and daughter-in-law, Debbie Lowe. She was a member of New Zion Baptist Church in Wynadotte, Michigan. Margie is survived by two daughters, Lois Adkins (Gary) of Wilmore and Mary Eva Canejo of New Boston, Michigan; nine grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; 12 great-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and a host of other family and...