Kenneth Reed Stephens

Kenneth Reed Stephens, loving son, brother, and grandson, passed on the 21st of November 2023, at the age of 37.
Born on the 24th of March 1986 in Dayton, Ohio, Kenneth later made his home in London, Kentucky where he lived a life of thoughtfulness and selflessness, giving himself fully to the care of his mother and grandfather.
Kenneth is survived by his devoted mother, Connie Christine Slyder of London, Kentucky; his brother, David Stephens of Florence, Kentucky; his grandfather, Delbert Stephens of London, Kentucky; and his aunts, Violet Wilson and husband Jerimiah of Miamisburg, Ohio, and Christine Stephens of New Carlise, Ohio.
He was preceded in death by his uncles, Arthur Stephens and Lonnie Stephens.
Funeral service was Saturday, November 25, at Croley Funeral Home with Rev. Bill Meadors officiating.
Burial service was held later that day at the Douglas Cemetery Oswego in Jellico, Tennessee.
In memory of Kenneth Stephens, we invite you to leave your own memories and upload photos to his memorial page. His legacy of love and kindness will always be remembered, and your shared experiences will help keep his memory alive. As we remember Kenneth, let us honor his life by living ours with the same love and thoughtfulness he showed to everyone around him.
Croley Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Darrell Lynch

Darrell Lynch, passed peacefully on November 24, 2023. Recognized as the owner and operator of Lynch Distributary,
Born to Roscoe and Elizabeth Lynch, on September 7, 1940, in Whitley County.
He was the loving husband, of the late Martha (Capps) Lynch; and father to Darrell Lynch and fiancée, Elizabeth Leach, and the late Susanna Elswick.
Darrell was a proud grandfather and his legacy lives on through his grandchildren: Tiffany Lynch, Conner Lynch, Steven Lynch, Becky Carpenter, Justin Dean, Heather Dean, Kate Blaylock, Alex Blaylock, Samantha Robbinson, and Jessica Robbinson. His love also extended to his great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild, whose lives he touched with his kindness and affection.
Visitation will be held at Croley Funeral Home, 103 South 2nd Street, Williamsburg, Kentucky, on Wednesday, November 29, from 11:00am. The funeral service will follow at the Croley Funeral Home Chapel at 1:00pm with Rev. Lester Cox officiating. The burial service will be held at 3:00pm at the Wolf Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.
In celebrating Darrell’s life, we invite you to share your memories and upload photos to his memorial page. This is a space for us to remember and honor the remarkable life that Darrell led. His story is not just in the facts and dates of his life, but in the love and laughter he shared with us. His memory lives on within each of us, as we continue to carry his loving spirit in our hearts.
Croley Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Donald Scott Lindsay

Donald Scott Lindsay, age 57, passed away on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at his residence in the Elk Valley, TN community.
Scott is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Dave and Nell Smiddy; maternal grandparents, Perry and Geneva Smith; his beloved father, Donald Gene Lindsay.
He is survived by his wife, Christian Davenport Lindsay; sons, Jared Lindsay and Russell Lindsay; grandson, Colton James Lindsay; mother, Betty Sue Lindsay; brother, Dave Lindsay and wife Lisa; step-children, Susan Hersey, Melanie Bowlin, and Cody Bowlin; step-grandchildren, Bayleigh, Chloe, Bella, Harlow, and Oonaugh; special aunt, Linda Meredith; special friend Dustin Rose; and many other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends to mourn his passing.
Scott attended Jellico High School, upon graduation he attended Cumberland College and played football.
He enrolled at Walter State Community College, graduating with a degree in Law Enforcement. He was a former Jellico City Policeman and Campbell County TN Deputy Sheriff. He was employed with the Y12 Nuclear Plant Security Team until his retirement.
Scott was one of the most generous people you would ever meet. He loved to work in his garden and share what he had grown with his friends and neighbors.
Funeral service was Wednesday, November 22, at the Llewellyn Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Francis Dople Jr. officiating.
Interment followed in the Jellico Cemetery.
The Llewellyn Funeral Home of Jellico in charge of arrangements.

Gerald Kevin Neal

Gerald Kevin Neal, 62, of Knoxville, TN, having courageously fought an impossible battle with cancer and pulmonary fibrosis, passed away early Wednesday morning, November 22, 2023, in his loving home surrounded by loved ones.
Gerald was born on March 24, 1961, in Williamsburg, KY.
He was preceded in death by his loving father, Leonard Billy Neal and mother, Juanita Drusilla (Lynch) Neal; and his paternal grandparents, A. J. Neal and Georgia (Baird) Neal, and his maternal grandparents, Herbert Lynch and Joie (Bowlin) Lynch, whom he loved dearly.
Gerald honorably served his country in the United States Army before meeting the love of his life, Mary Viola Knight, in 1985. They playfully worked together at Jerry’s restaurant in West Knoxville, TN. They were married shortly after on June 16, 1986, and lived the most love-filled life together for 36 years.
Gerald is survived by his beloved wife, Mary (Knight) Neal, of Knoxville; eight wonderful children, Toni Vandergriff, Dawn Berrier, Jessica Berrier, Amanda Capps, and husband, James, Kevin Neal, and wife, Brittany, Chasity Neal, Mary Elizabeth Brown, and husband, Brett, and Damian Neal; 16 beautiful grandchildren, Julia, Joseph, Lillian, Alyssa, Zac, Jon, Paul, Cameron, Miranda, Dyllan, Blakely, Dayton, Abigail, Grayson, Braylin, and Brooklyn; five precious great-grandchildren, Sophia, Marijane, Audrey, Isabella, and Adonis; loving brother, Leonard Billy Neal, Jr.; sweet aunt, Aundria Sustarich, and countless friends, neighbors, and other relatives to mourn his passing.
Funeral service was Saturday, November 25, at the Cox & Son Funeral Home Chapel in Jellico, TN with the Rev. Russell Sharp officiating.
Interment followed in the Bowlin Cemetery.
Pallbearers were his loving family and friends, Kevin Neal, Zac Myers, Brett Brown, Damian Neal, Billy Neal, Jr., Paul Puckett, Thomas Clement, and Quintin Vittetoe.
Cox & Son Funeral Home of Jellico in charge of arrangements.

Long-time Woodbine Fire Chief passes away Friday

Long-time Woodbine Volunteer Fire Department Chief Rickie “Rick” Fore passed away Friday.

“With heavy hearts, we bid farewell to a compassionate hero, Rickie Fore … Rickie was a beacon of courage and dedication, tirelessly serving his community with unmatched passion and commitment,” his obituary stated.

Fore dedicated much of his life to serving his community. He has been a firefighter since 1972, and has served as fire chief at Woodbine Volunteer Fire Department since 1994.

In addition to firefighting, Fore served as a special deputy for the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department from 2001-2008 serving as a fire investigator.

He was also a member of the 911 Board of Directors and served as chief of the Whitley County Rescue Squad since 2012.

“His love for his community was evident in his tireless work, showing us all the true meaning of service and sacrifice,” his obituary read.

He is survived by his wife, Jo Ann Fore of Corbin, and a number of other relatives.

Visitation will be Wednesday, Dec. 6, at 11 a.m. at Croley Funeral Home in Williamsburg. His funeral service will follow at the same location at 2 p.m. with Rev. Matt Ridener officiating.

Burial services will be conducted at 3 p.m. at the Fore Family Cemetery off Eatontown Road in Corbin.

Empty Stocking Fund has raised over $9,100, but more still needed

The Corbin Rotary Club has announced the first round of donations for the 2023 Southeast Kentucky Empty Stocking Fund (SEKESF) Christmas program to benefit children in need throughout the tri-county area.

So far, $9,158 has been donated.

Donors and the amounts given for the week ending Nov. 26 include:

• Davis Salvage Company – $500.
• Patil Foundation Inc. – $1,000.
• Walmart Store Number 1259, Corbin – $4,000.
• Rotary Foundation District 6740 – $1,500.
• Rotary Club of Corbin, Ky. – $750.
• Sudhir and Shobhana Patel – $252.
• Pam Razmus – $100.
• Paul Jones (in memory of Shirley Jones) – $100.
• Joe and Lola Caldwell (in memory of Shirley Jones) – $100.
• Two Great Friends of SEKESF – $500.
• Jerry and Helen Rickett – $200.
• Tim Bryant – $56.
• Mildred Burkhart – $100.

So far, 334 children have been signed up, but more were expected during the final signup date on Nov. 29.

Lots of volunteers are needed to help wrap presents on the evening of Friday, Dec. 15. The wrapping will take place at Immanuel Baptist Church starting about 6 p.m.

On Saturday, Dec. 16, volunteers will be needed to help hand out the gifts.

The Empty Stocking Fund will hand out gifts and other items on Dec. 16, starting at 11 a.m. for the first 100 families. The second group will start at 1 p.m.

Last year, the Empty Stocking Fund spent about $36,000 buying gifts for 465 children, and with inflation, organizers think they will need about $39,000 this year.

Once again, this will be my last year decorating

A few years ago as our staff got together for our Christmas party, in my mind I was thinking it would be the last time I would enjoy the occasion with them.

Don Estep is publisher of the News Journal.

As one gets older these kind of thoughts run through your mind.

Fortunately I’m still here at this newspaper at age 84 enjoying the companionship of our staff.

Year after year I’ve said to myself, “This is the last year I’m going to do the outside decorating of our home.” Again this year I’ve almost killed myself hanging from a ladder and stringing up lights and decorations. The other day I told my neighbor, “This is my last year for this.”

It is not and I know it is not as long as my health will allow. There is something about the Christmas season that makes me want to do these things.

I was kidding today about old age. There is never a time you should stop unless health reasons stop you. I like what my 101 year old friend Paul Jones said, “You will rust out before you’ll wear out.”

I googled what to expect at 80 years and older and the first thing it read was mobility decreases dramatically. They got that one right, at least for me.

There is only one job that I think there should be an age limit for and it is for the president of the United States. That job is too important for people of advanced age to hold.

It is not necessarily because of their mental capabilities, but rather for the possibility that the person holding the position will not finish the job. Presently, both men who are leading the two parties are too old to hold that office. Until an age restriction is placed on that position we will be faced with that possibility. It would be best if both would give it up to a younger person.

But that is the only position that I see that should have that restriction.

OK, enough of that. It is the Christmas season and the best season of the year. And speaking of best, the best way to enjoy the Christmas season is by attending church. After all, isn’t that why we celebrate?

Sunday as I sat in church after the service while others were decorating I felt much more of the Christmas spirit than I did hanging on the ladder at my house. You’ll feel that spirit much better in church.

In our Community announcements and in news stories in our newspaper there are listed many activities you can enjoy during the month of December.

Christmas at the Cumberlands will be held this Sunday. Also this Saturday Corbin will hold its Christmas parade and Saturday the First Christian Church of Corbin will have their annual Christmas Craft Bazaar. Throughout the month there will be many more events you can enjoy.

Delivering baskets … on and off the court

For Whitley County High School Boys’ Basketball Coach Eric Swords and Whitley County Health Department Health Educator Ashley Lawson, the new Hoops School outreach program for children in the Williamsburg Housing Authority is something personal for them.

“I grew up in Brush Arbor. I kind of understand what it is like,” said Swords. “You are trying to just pass it forward, and hope you inspire somebody to, if they get out and make it, they want to give back to others.”

Lawson also grew up poor but in the housing authority in Corbin.

When she is at any of the housing authorities, she tries to give back and let people know about community resources that are potentially available to them.

“I am passionate about it (Hoops School) just like he (Swords) is,” Lawson said.

The Hoops School program is kind of like a big brother program.

“We are trying to mentor the kids. This summer we came out and played basketball with the kids and shot around,” Swords said estimating that there were probably about 30 children involved over the summer.

“These kids we went out to this summer, they thrived from hearing stories about how you can have whatever life you want if you make good choices,” Lawson added. “We just want people to know you aren’t stuck where you are. You can have whatever kind of life you want. I really feel passionate about sports. I feel that ball can save children sometimes no matter what circumstance they are in.”

The day before Thanksgiving Day over a dozen members of the Whitley County High School Boys’ Basketball Team, Swords, and Lawson were all busy with baskets only this time, they weren’t the ones on a basketball court.

The group delivered 20 Thanksgiving food baskets to Williamsburg Housing Authority residents at Brush Arbor and Mackey Avenue. The food baskets had ham and all of the fixings for a Thanksgiving meal.

“For Thanksgiving, we tried to include the Hoops School kids first, and then get out to everybody else,” Swords said.

Lawson said that one of the boys, who was in the program this summer and loved it, excitedly greeted them saying, “Where have you all been? Why haven’t you been back?”

Swords said that for Christmas, his players will probably either come out and serve a meal to the Hoops School kids or possibly do Shop with a Colonel and take a few of the kids Christmas shopping.

In addition to playing basketball and feeding the Hoops School kids, Swords noted that all of them can attend Whitley County High School basketball games for free and any of the team’s youth camps or youth leagues for free. This includes students that might not attend school in the Whitley County School District.

The Hoops School children range in ages from first grade through middle school age.

The high school players said that it felt good to give back to their community before Thanksgiving.

“We just gave out some Thanksgiving baskets full of food. It can be hard to afford food at times like this. We are just trying to give back. It feels good to give back,” said senior Dre Ellis, who has family members that live in the housing authority.

Aaron Rowe, a junior, said that it meant a lot to him to help others right before Thanksgiving.

“I come from the south end of the county. There are a lot of families that struggle. It is nice to see that in high school you can give back to the community that you came from,” Rowe said.

Lawson noted that it was humbling to see teenage boys go knock on doors to give someone a meal.

Swords added that this helps his players with life lessons and also teaches them about being grateful for what they have.

“It also helps them seeing the need to give back. No matter what these guys become, if they don’t give back a little bit to other people, then what are we really helping accomplish?” Swords asked.

Lawson said that giving a family or a struggling mom or dad a meal can be a real game changer for them.

“Some people don’t have a warm meal. They don’t have anyone during the holidays. It is a big deal,” she added.

Last week’s food baskets were the result of a group effort between the basketball team and Lawson by getting donations for smaller items from players and their families among others.

The basketball team purchased the hams out of funds from the program.

Maiden Drug also sent in a donation to help pay for some of the food.

Corbin Christmas Parade planned for Saturday (Dec. 2)

If you are looking for something to help put you in the Christmas spirit then look no further than the Corbin Tourism Commission’s annual Corbin Christmas Parade, which will take place starting at 7 p.m. Saturday.

“The Corbin Christmas Parade is one of our favorite events of the year because it is the official kick off to the Christmas season,” said Corbin Tourism Director Maggy Monhollen.

Monhollen noted that there are about 60 entries in the parade. About 60 percent of the entrants will be floats.

The Corbin High School Marching Band and the Corbin High School JROTC will be taking part. 2023 May Day Queen Reid Bryant will serve as grand marshal.

Pre-parade festivities will take place from 5-7 p.m. in Nibroc Park where there will be Santa Claus, face painting and crafts. In addition, Parkway Ministries will be providing free hot chocolate and will be singing Christmas carols.

There will also be food trucks on hand.

Parade participants will line up at 6 p.m. at 19^th and Main Street, and the parade will begin at 7 p.m. The route will go along Main Street from 18^th Street to Gordon Hill.

In the event of heavy rain or snow, Dec. 7 will serve as the make-up date for the parade.

“We want everyone in the community to join us starting at 5 p.m. at Nibroc Park to enjoy Santa Claus, crafts, caroling by Parkway Ministries, food trucks and so much more! Celebrate the magic of the season and a grand sense of community with Corbin Tourism Saturday night,” said Monhollen.

For more information about the festivities call (606) 528-8860.

High School Basketball Preview: Corbin Redhounds

Last year, Head Coach Tony Pietrowski’s Corbin Redhounds only had a handful of days together before playing in their first game of the season. With several players also participating in the 2022 state football championships, it took some time for the team to find its rhythm once everyone was able to get together on the court.