Obituaries

Magdalene “Lena” (Douglas) Johnson, age 68, of Black Oak, Williamsburg KY passed away Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at Baptist Health Corbin. She was born June 11, 1958, in Sidney, Ohio. Lena is preceded in death by her husband, Clarence Howard Johnson, Sr.; baby Johnson; father, James Walter Douglas; mother, Iris (Lamb) Douglas; brother, Donnie Elbert Douglas, Sr.; and sister, Ruth Teague. She is survived by daughter, Jonina Swartz and husband Louis; grandchildren, Brenden Swartz, Bryce Swartz; brother, Paul Douglas and wife Shirley; sisters, Wanda Perkins, Nina Marples, Jo Broyles and husband Donnie; special friend, Lora Partin; and a host of nieces, nephews, friends and family to mourn her passing. The family will...

Gene Messer, a loving figure in his community, passed away on September 20, 2026, at the age of 84. Born on September 15, 1942, Gene spent most of his life in his beloved hometown of Williamsburg, Kentucky, where he touched many lives with his warmth, generosity, and caring spirit. He is survived by his wife, Jimmie Messer of Williamsburg, KY; his son, Michael Messer and wife Jessica of Manchester, KY; his daughter, Marietta Brooks and husband Charles of Williamsburg, KY; and his grand-children, Eric Messer, Josh Messer, Ashley Smith, Will Messer, Meagan Cox, Zachary Brooks, and Jacob Brooks; he also leaves behind his sister, Zelma Messer; along with 15 great-grandchildren. Gene was...

Richard Francis Ryan, 80, of Corbin, Kentucky, passed away Saturday, September 19, 2026, at Baptist Health Hospital in Corbin. Born August 5, 1946, he was the son of the late Francis and Dorothy Ryan. In addition to his father and mother, Richard was preceded in death by his son, Christopher Ryan, and five brothers: Tommy Ryan, Timmy Ryan, Donald Ryan, David Ryan, and Jimmy Ryan. He leaves behind his loving wife of 56 years, Janice Ryan; son, Greg Ryan and wife Jodie; daughter, Fran Jones; five grandchildren: Derrick Ryan, Christopher Ryan, Sarah Collins, Matthew Hembree, and Ashlely Hembree; five great-grandchildren: Benson, McKinley, Jett, Amara, and Millie Jean Hembree; sister, Shirley Young;...

Jennifer Jana McKeehan, age 59, of Pioneer, Tennessee passed away Saturday, September 19, 2026, at home. She was born April 29, 1967, in Knoxville, Tennessee. Jennifer is preceded in death by her father, James Garner; and mother, Beulah (MaCartey) Garner. She is survived by her husband, Donald McKeehan; son, Menden McKeehan and Amy; daughter, Ribbon McKeehan Sanchez and Michael; grandchildren, Jacob, Isabelle, Liam, Eva, Axle, Emma, and Gideon; and a host of nieces, nephews, friends and family to mourn her passing. The family will receive friends from 12-2 pm Friday, September 25, at Harp Funeral Home Chapel, with funeral services at 2 pm. Burial will follow in the Adkins-McKeehan Cemetery in Newcomb, TN. Harp Funeral...

Benny Garrett, age 76, of Clairfield, Tennessee passed away Friday, September 18, 2026, at Baptist Health Corbin. He was born May 21, 1950, in Rock Creek, Tennessee. Benny is preceded in death by wife, Lavenda “Mousie” (Good) Garrett; father, Lonnie R. Garrett; mother, Edith Mae (King) Garrett; brothers, Donnie, Ancil, Robert and Gary KQ Garrett; sisters, Shirley Garrett, Judy Garrett. He is survived by son, Lonnie Charles Garrett; daughters, Pam Garrett, Wendy Garrett; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brothers, John “JP” Garrett and wife Jan, Chucky Garrett and wife Patsy; sisters, Mollie Chisamore and husband Larry, Patty Jo Malicoat and husband Donnie, Diane Garland; and a host of nieces, nephews, friends and family...

Barbara Kay Perkins, age 73, of Pioneer, Tennessee passed away Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at U.T. Medical Center. She was born August 20, 1953, in Jellico, Tennessee. Kay is preceded in death by her husband, Leon Walker; father, Johnie Perkins; mother, Mary Lucille (Allen) Perkins; brother, Milford Bruce Perkins; and niece, Patty Shearer. She is survived by sisters, Martha Jane Shearer, Corinna Perkins; nephews, Eric Shearer, Johnie Moffett, Shawn Binkley, Christian Binkley; great-nieces, Clara and Alena Shearer; great-nephew, Brevin Shearer; and a host of friends and family to mourn her passing. Graveside service was Sunday, September 20, at Valley View Cemetery with Rev. Rick Bailey and Rev. Steve Bruce officiating. Harp Funeral Home of...

Larry Lee Helton, 70, of Rockholds, Kentucky, passed away on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at the University of Kentucky Hospice Care Center in Lexington. He was born on September 26, 1955, in Barbourville, Kentucky, to the late Esom Helton and Mossie Grant Helton. Larry was a member of Flat Creek Baptist Church and had worked as a school bus mechanic for the Whitley County Board of Education. He is survived by his son, Joe Kidwell (Natalie) of Corbin; five grandchildren, Jeremy Callihan, Jerelle Brotherton, Jerika Gerton, Jade Kidwell, and Jared Kidwell; seven great-grandchildren; two brothers, Gary Helton (Peggy) of Rockholds and Buster Matlock of Rockholds; and several nieces, nephews, and a host...

Kathy “Flora” Brown, age 76, of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at Frankfort Regional Medical Center in Frankfort, Kentucky. She was born on April 11, 1950, in Jellico, Tennessee, to the late Herbert Sears and Ollie (Petrey) Sears. A dedicated homemaker, Kathy found great joy working in the garden, hunting for antiques, and cherishing time spent with her family. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband of over 19 years, Robert Lowell Brown; her brother, James Sears; and her sister-in-law, Carol Sears. Left behind to cherish her memory are her devoted son, Rob Brown and his wife Sharon of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky;...

Loyal Truman Hill, age 87, of Rockholds, Kentucky, departed this life on Sunday, September 20, 2026, at Heritage Nursing Home in Corbin, Kentucky. Loyal was born on November 13, 1938, in Knox County, Kentucky. His first job was at Hamlin’s Supermarket. He later picked apples in New York before returning home, where he began mining coal and then hauling coal for many years. He worked in the road construction business until he retired and became what he liked to call “a wore-out farmer.” He enjoyed farming and gardening more than anything and took great pride in both. Loyal believed that his most important job was to lead people to the Lord. He carried...

Linda Marie (Fischer) Robinson, 83, was born on October 17, 1942, in Louisville, KY. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, Linda passed away on September 16, 2026 at the Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, GA. Linda was a loving and dedicated wife of almost 51 years to her beloved husband, Jearld Robinson of Corbin, KY. She is also leaves behind, her children, Johnny Igo and wife Martha of Corbin, KY, Karen Osborne of Lexington, KY, and Cindy Madden and husband Billy of London, KY; a bonus son, Marty Robinson and wife Debbie of Leesburg, FL; as well as her cherished grandchildren, Lindsey Pierce, Ryan Osborne, Kendra Igo, Joshua...