Obituaries

Rachel Coates Meeks, age 96, of Lexington, Kentucky, and formerly of Corbin, passed away on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at Baptist Health in Lexington. Born in Ashland, Kentucky she was the daughter of the late Aaron Coates and Zelia Rice Coates. Rachel was a long-time member of the First Christian Church in Corbin, and a charter member of Beta Sigma Phi. She was a former member of the Corbin Ossoli Club, the Corbin Garden Club, and the First Christian Church Circle. Rachel loved a party, people, animals, and reading, and she had a passion for fashion. She had been a visual merchandiser and buyer for Belks in Corbin and later worked...

Helen (Jones) Huddleston, age 85, of Eagan, Tennessee passed away Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at home surrounded by her loving family. She was born October 16, 1938, in Clairfield, Tennessee. Helen loved babysitting, quilting, cooking and her specialty was peanut butter log roll, traveling with family and friends, crocheting and doing word search. She loved God and her family very much. Helen is preceded in death by her husband, Glenn Huddleston; seven infants; father, Rev. Robert “Bob” Jones; mother, Cora Lee (Hamblin) Jones; brothers, Donnie Lee Jones, and Billy Ray Jones; sister, Norma Jean Popp; nieces, Joann (Jones) Schofield, Neita (Jones) Ward, and Karen (Partin) Duncan; brothers-in-law, George “Pebo” Partin, Alvin...

Johnny Creekmore, age 87, of Newcomb, Tennessee passed away Saturday, August 24, 2024, at his home. He was born October 21, 1936, in Oswego, Tennessee. Johnny is preceded in death by his great-grandson, Peyton Leon Hinkle; father, John L. Creekmore; mother, Mencie (Baird) Creekmore; brothers, Clyde “Dock” Creekmore and wife Eudena, and Robert Cecil Creekmore; sisters, Thelma Marie Chapman and husband Carl, Dorothy Christine Baird and husband Andrew, Patricia “Patsy” Cupp and husband Oscar; father and mother-in-law, W.J. and Florene (Gilburth) Douglas; and brother-in-law, Joe Douglas. He is survived by his wife, Patricia “Pat” (Douglas) Creekmore; daughter, Rebecca Hinkle and husband Brian; grandson, Justin Hinkle and wife Reanne; great-granddaughter, Emersyn Rae...

Branson Aaron Lankster, Jr., who was known to all as “Bear”, passed away after a brief illness on Sunday, August 25, 2024 at his home in Wilmore, Kentucky. He was born on September 8, 1947 in Corbin, Kentucky to Branson Sr. and Nadine Mitchell Lankster. He was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his wife of 56 years, Lucille Estes Lankster; daughters, Brandie Tatro (Quint), Paige Mattox (Matt); and adored grandchildren, Camryn Reese Mattox, Joshua Guepson Tatro, Matthew Tucker Mattox, Andrew Isaiah Tatro, and William Aaron Tatro. Other survivors are his brothers, James (Florence), Jerry (Barbara), David “Ben” (Darlene) Lankster; sister, Quinetta Hendrickson; and three generations of...

Dr. Gary L. Steenbergen, 65, passed away at his home in Corbin, Kentucky, on Sunday, August 25, 2024. Born January 23, 1959, in Detroit, Michigan, he was the son of the late Edwin and Pauline Steenbergen. In addition to his father and mother, Gary was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Earlene Snyder Steenbergen; daughter, Stephanie Steenbergen; and brother, Michael Hubbard. He was a member of Dorthae Pentecostal Church. Gary was a life-long learner who proudly earned his Doctorate of Education. He was a retired professor with KCTCS where he was also an advisor of VICA. He had a variety of interests: Scout Master of Troop 457, President of the Gideons, and...

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Rita Vanover Harmon, a beloved mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend. Rita passed away on Monday, August 19, 2024, in Lexington, KY, at the age of 59. Rita was born on November 21, 1964, to Bobby and Doris Vanover in Williamsburg, KY. She was a dedicated health care professional in the nursing industry and touched the lives of many with her compassionate care and kind heart. She leaves behind a legacy of love and dedication to her family and profession. Rita is survived by her companion, Ronnie Harmon; her children, Daniel Powers, Jonathan (Brandy) Vanover and Gregory (Tiffany) Powers, Julie Harmon,...

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Wilkie Otis Davis, a beloved husband, veteran, and skilled welder from Williamsburg, KY. Wilkie was born on October 12, 1940, and peacefully departed on Friday, August 16, 2024. Survived by his loving wife of over 65 years, Virginia Davis, Wilkie was a dedicated soldier, having served in the Army during the Vietnam War. His commitment extended beyond his military service, as he pursued a career in welding in Ohio until his retirement. Wilkie’s passion for the outdoors led him to enjoy hunting, fishing, and spending serene moments in nature. The funeral services for Wilkie Otis Davis will include a public viewing...

Claude Blaine Benfield, 64, of Lily, KY, went peacefully into the arms of the Lord on Friday, August 16, 2024. Born in London, KY, Blaine was the son of Donald Lawrence and Anna Ruth Benfield, both of whom preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife, Michelle; children, Barbara Money (Tracey Pennington), Natasha Money (Cassie Hale), Shawn Money (Shonna); three grandchildren; siblings, Larry Benfield (Brenda), Sabrina Cobb (Rodney), twin sister Claudette Cox (Tom), and Allen Benfield (Jennifer); father-in-law and mother-in-law, James and Jackie Peters; special friends, Joshua Frazier and Terra Elliott; his four-legged best friend, Nicholas, which he so lovingly referred to as “his boy”; also his grandpuppies, and...

Sandra (Cotner) Lamb Chambers, age 61, of Williamsburg, Kentucky passed away Saturday, August 17, 2024, at Beech Tree Manor. She was born September 17, 1962 in Louisville, Kentucky. Sandra is preceded in death by her father, Gerald Cotner; mother, Lena (Caddell) Cotner; brothers, Edward Caddell, Gerald Wayne Cotner, and Thomas Calvin Cotner. She is survived by her husband, Robert Lamb Chambers; son, Rodney Lamb and wife Norma; stepson, Jeremy Lamb; daughter, Leanna Lamb and Jason; grandchildren, Justin Brown and Tab Bolton, Dalton, Aiden, Alexis and Kira Lamb; great-grandchildren, Braydn Teague, McKenna Bolton, Bransyn Brown, and Maebree Bolton; brother, Larry Cotner; and a host of nieces, nephews, friends and family to mourn her...

Jack Armstrong, age 78, of Rockholds, KY, passed away Thursday, August 15, 2024 at his home. He was born May 11, 1946 in Carrollton, GA, to the late Paul and Mary Nell Williams Armstrong. Along with his parents he was preceded in death by a sister, Darlene Pilitary; and a brother, Ronnie Armstrong. He is survived by his wife, Janice Armstrong of Rockholds, KY; two children, Andy Armstrong (Susie) of Rockholds, KY, and Mary Walters (Shannon) of Lily, KY; six grandchildren, Skyla Walters, Skyler Walters, Miranda York, Christian Barker, Dylan Householder, Kendra Householder; two sisters, Debbie Moore of Lakeland, FL, and Jennifer Armstrong of Lakeland, FL; many nieces, nephews, and a...