Obituaries

Fred Luther Lovitt, 73, was an evergreen beacon of warmth and laughter in Williamsburg, KY. Born on September 22, 1952, in Packard, KY. Fred’s life was characterized by a unique blend of humor, thoughtfulness, and boundless love for his family and friends. A man of many talents and interests, Fred retired from a fulfilling career as a mechanic and school bus driver with the Whitley County Board of Education, where he was known for his spirited conversations and infectious laughter. Fred was a man who found joy in the simple pleasures of life. His hobbies were as varied as his personality, ranging from horseback riding to beekeeping, and he had an...

Joyce Evangeline (Davis) Osseforth, 84, of Florence, KY, formerly of Gray, KY. passed away on Wednesday, August 5, 2026. She was a member of St. Paul Parish in Florence, KY. Joyce was born February 5, 1942, and was a 1960 graduate of Lynn Camp High School in Corbin, KY. She went on to graduate with her beautician’s license from cosmetology school in Lexington, KY. She was a machine operator with Kenner Toy Company, Paul Smith, Litton Industries and retired from Perfetti Van Melle. Joyce was a very kind and generous person who was helpful to many people. She enjoyed gardening, watching the Reds and socializing (she never met a stranger.) She loved...

John David Gaylor, 60, of Jellico, Tennessee, passed away at the Fort Sanders Hospital in Knoxville, Tennessee on August 6, 2026. He was born September 24, 1965 in Middlesboro, Kentucky to the late Rev. Bill Gaylor and Alice Wolfenbarger Gaylor, who survives. John was raised in Clairfield, Tennessee and graduated from Jellico High School. He was preceded in death by his father, Rev. Bill Gaylor; his grandparents, Dave and Bessie Gaylor and Dallas and Faye Wolfenbarger He was survived by his daughter, Jessica and her husband Drew Wilkerson; his devoted, loving mother, Alice; his sister, Rhonda and her husband Rick Johnson; several aunts, uncles, numerous cousins and friends. The family of John David...

Eddie Wayne Lester, age 70, of Rockholds, KY, passed away Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at his home. He was born March 7, 1956 in Corbin, KY to the late Pauline Lawson. He was preceded in death by his sister, Darlene Standifer; two brothers, Danny Lester, Delmar Lester; and a nephew, Steve Martin. He is survived by his daughter, Evelyn Johnston (Robert) of Rockholds, KY; his son, Chris Lester of Meadow Creek, KY; two grandkids, Landyn Lester, Luna Lester; sisters, Penny Martin, Donna Miracle (Rick); brothers, John Lester (Judy), Chuck Lester, Doyle Lester (Tammy), Mike Lester; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends to mourn his passing. A visitation service...

David Allen Dunn, 79, passed away on Monday, July 27, 2026 in Lexington, KY. He was originally from Corbin and graduated from Corbin High School. He served in the Army during Vietnam and was an American Legion member. He was employed with the USPS for 40 years. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Mary E. Dunn and Hugh Dunn. He is survived by his sister, Mary Sweeney of Corbin; brother and sister-in-law, John and Sharon Dunn of Madisonville; nephew, Chris Sweeney of Corbin; three great-nieces and two great-great-nieces. The body was handled by the Bluegrass Crematory in Lexington.

Carol Sue McCulley, age 83, of Williamsburg, Kentucky, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 2, 2026, at her home. She was born on February 6, 1943, in Baltimore, Maryland, to the late John Everett Jones and Nellie Pauline Jones. Carol was a devoted member of Kensee Baptist Church who loved her faith deeply and attended services whenever the doors were open. A nurse by profession, she worked for many years at Williamsburg Nursing Home. Carol had a passion for farming and a deep affection for animals. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Loretta Ward; two sisters, Joyce Ann Barth and Mable Lorene Jones; and her...

Mike Wilde, age 67, of Williamsburg, Kentucky passed away Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at Baptist Health Corbin. He was born January 21, 1959, in Middlesboro, Kentucky. Mike is preceded in death by his father, William Boyt Wilde. He is survived by his mother, Copeland (Jones) Wilde; wife, Bulah (Marlow) Wilde; sons, Michael William Wilde and Leanna, Jason Wilde and Whitney, Billy Wilde and Jessica; daughter-in-law, Angie Wilde; daughter, Amy Jo Wilde; grandchildren, Michael, Skyler, Alisa, Hunter, Nathaniel, Julie, Jordan, Cody, Colton, Alisa, Halie, Jeremy, Eli, Pay, Grace, Lakely; several great-grandchildren; brother, Sandy Wilde; sister, Vena Hall; sisters-in-law, Mildred Day, Linda Ownes, Robin Marlow; special nephew, Tommy Marlow; special friend, Willard Carpenter;...

Billy Mike Claxton, age 55, of Jellico, Tennessee passed away Sunday, August 2, 2026, at U.K. Medical Center. He was born November 2, 1970, in Jellico, Tennessee. Billy is preceded in death by father, Buford Claxton; mother, Daphine (Violet) Claxton; brothers, James “Sonny” Claxton, Buford Claxton, Jr.; and sister, Judy Copeland. He is survived by his wife, Paula (Delk) Claxton; daughters, Katie Keener and husband Jamie, Jacinda Delk, Autumn Delk, Emberlynn Delk; grandchildren, Chevelle and Wrenlee Keener, Jimson Kemplin, Samara, Emmy and Daxtyn Delk; brothers, Charles Claxton and wife Nancy, Danny Claxton and wife Donna, Paul Claxton and wife Colleen; sisters, Mae Elliott, Lois Singleton and husband Raymond, Kathy Cox and...

Andrew J. (A.J.) Lawson, age 79, departed this life July 30, 2026, at his home in the Boston community of Whitley County. A.J. was born March 4, 1947, to the late Andrew and Nannie (Gosnell) Lawson. In addition to his parents, A.J. was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 39 years, Patricia Hall Lawson; father and mother-in-law, Clyde and Francis Hall; sisters, Bonnie Russell, Sandra Bogan, and Barbara Coffee; brothers-in-law, Kenneth Lewis, Ronald Hall and Jim Trimble; sisters-in-law, Ethel Lawson and Janet Lawson. A patriotic and brave American, A.J. proudly served his country as a decorated Vietnam War veteran, earning two Purple Hearts. Professionally, he spent most of...

Sharon Taylor Sims, 84, of Daytona Beach, Florida, passed away peacefully at her home on July 28, 2026. Born on April 7, 1942, in Detroit, Michigan, Sharon was raised in Williamsburg, Kentucky, where she developed the deep love of family that would define her life. A graduate of Eastern Kentucky University, Sharon began her career as an elementary school teacher, where she loved her students, and they loved her in return. She later spent many years with the Kentucky Department for Employment Services, retiring as a branch office manager, and continued serving her community as a volunteer election poll worker after retirement. On September 5, 1987, she married Jimmy Alan Sims. Together...