Obituaries

Bobby Gene Ayers, 72, of Lafollette, TN passed away Saturday, May 27, 2017 at the Tennova Residential Hospice in Knoxville, TN. He was born June 15, 1944 in Campbell County, TN. Bobby is preceded in death by his father, William “W.C.” Ayers; mother: Pauline Jordan Ayers; brother, ​W.C. Ayers, Jr. He is survived by son, Darrell Keith Ayers and wife Amanda; daughters, Angela Faye Ayers, Ashley Michelle Ayers; sisters, Faye Bradshaw and husband Jerry, Kaye Spickard and husband George; brothers, Verlin Jordan, ​Willie Gene Ayers; grandchildren, Luke Evan Ayers and wife Sara, Laura Elizabeth Ayers; great grandchild, ​Parker Evan Ayers; and a host of nieces, nephews, friends and family to mourn his...

Mary Lou Hurst, 56, of Rockholds, passed away on Wednesday, May 24, 2017 in Corbin. Born in Corbin, she was the daughter of the late George and Tootsie Imogene Frechette. She was also preceded in death by an infant son, and her sister Betty Nantz. Mary Lou was a lifelong member of Corn Creek Baptist Church, and a longtime parent and grandparent volunteer at the Whitley County Schools. She is survived by her husband Doyle Hurst; children Jessica Hamilton (Ben), Wendy Stamper, Tasha Baynard, and Stacy Hurst; grandchildren Christina Hamilton, Christian Hamilton, Chelsey Hamilton, Brayden Havens-Hamilton, Elaina Havens-Hamilton, Charity Collopy, Malaki Garrison, Emilee Stamper, Morgan Stamper, Aiden Stamper, Bailey Baynard, Conner Baynard...

Ernie Bruce Helton, 53, passed away on Monday, May 22, 2017, at his home in Corbin. He is survived by his wife Rennee Aubrey. Funeral services were held Friday, May 26, at Vankirk-Grisell Funeral Home. Messages may be written to the family at www.vankirkgrisellfuneralhome.com.

Ruby Victoria Napier, 82, the wife of Charlie Napier of Strunk Road, Corbin, passed away on Monday afternoon at her residence. Funeral services were conducted Friday afternoon in Laurel Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Marlow Napier and Bro. Paul Baker officiating. Burial followed in the Locust Grove Cemetery in Keavy. Laurel Funeral Home (formerly Corbin Funeral Home) is in charge of the arrangements.

Paul James Foran, 80, of Greene Township, Cincinnati, passed away on Saturday, May 20, 2017 at Hospice of Cincinnati. Funeral services were held Thursday, May 25, at the Vankirk-Grisell Funeral Home with Rev. Paul Bodenhamer officiating. Burial was at the Rest Haven Cemetery with military honors by Keavy DAV Chapter 158. Messages may be written to the family at www.vankirkgrisellfuneralhome.com.

Ivan Jack “IJ” Owens, 80, of Buck Creek Road, Williamsburg, departed this life on Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at the Jellico Community Hospital in Jellico, TN. He was born on April 2, 1937 in Williamsburg, to the late Woodford Owens and Nona (Vanderpool) Owens. He was also preceded in death by a son, Jackie Wayne Owens. He attended Mt. Ash Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife, Linda Owens of Williamsburg; grandson, Chris Owens and wife Rebecca of Williamsburg; great-grandchildren, Zach Owens and Whitney Owens of Williamsburg; step-son, Rick Carr and wife Rebecca of Jellico; step-daughter, Velvet Carr of Jellico; grandchildren, Janet Turner, Savanah Turner, Ricky Earl Carr, Bobby Rutherford, Stephanie Rutherford,...

Phillip David Lawson, 65, of Rev. H.D. Lawson Road, Williamsburg, departed this life on Sunday, May 21, 2017 at the Williamsburg Health and Rehab Center. He was born on October 2, 1951 in Jellico, TN to the late Ewell Lawson and Anna Roller Lawson. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Jessie Lawson, Woodrow Lawson and Henry Lawson. Phillip was a member of Cooks Baptist Church. He is survived by his daughter, Brittney Lawson of Williamsburg; sons, Phillip Lawson Jr. Marsha) of Toledo, OH and Paul Lawson of Galesburg, IL; grandchildren, Cameron Lawson, Jonah Lawson and Haley Lawson; step-son, Richard Adkins (Amy Sue) and their son, Noah of Temperance, MI;...

Clarence McKiddy, 84, of Taylor Circle, Williamsburg, departed this life on Sunday, May 21, 2017 at the VA Medical Center in Lexington. He was born January 8, 1933 in Williamsburg, to the late Rev. Rich McKiddy and Litha (Lee) McKiddy. He was also preceded in death by his daughter, Deborah Powers and brothers, Dillard McKiddy and Lawrence McKiddy. He is survived by his daughter, Beverly Lay of Cincinnati, OH; son, Robert McKiddy of Williamsburg; five grandchildren, Scott Lay, Aaron Lay, Christopher McKiddy, Kenneth Powers and Celina Powers; several great-grandchildren; three brothers, Rev. Jimmy McKiddy of Williamsburg, Arthur McKiddy of Williamsburg, Millard McKiddy of Toledo, OH; several nieces and nephews; and a host...

John Bill Gibbs, 61, of Corbin passed away at his home Wednesday, May 24, 2017. He was a 1973 graduate of Corbin High School, a 1977 graduate of Cumberland College, Past Master of Hugh Harris Masonic Lodge, Kosair Shrine, Scottish Rite, and a 39 year employee of Whayne Supply.  He was a member of Bacon Creek Baptist Church where he was a deacon and Sunday school teacher. He was preceded in death by his parents, Luther and Christine Gibbs. He is survived by his wife, Darva Wells Gibbs, and his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Darvin and Sue Wells, as well as many others whose lives he touched, to mourn his passing. Services were held...

Peggy Sue Hutton, 81, passed away on Thursday, May 18, 2017 at her residence in Hillsboro, OH. Born in Gray, she was the daughter of the late Willard and Dora Wright Helton. She was preceded in death by her husband Arthur Hutton, Jr.;  sons Gary and Randy Hutton;  and siblings James Helton, Norma Helton, Maxine Steele, Betty Medlin, Bonnie Engle, Harold Helton and Glen Helton. Peggy was a member of Candle Ridge Baptist Church and  was a retired line operator for CTA. She is survived by her children: Larry Hutton of Gray, and Tracie Hutton (Jenna) of Hillsboro; grandchildren: Teri Marcum, Deidre Pickens, Codey Hutton, David Hutton, Larry Lynn Hutton, Kaitlyn Messer, and...