Whitley County volleyball wins second straight 13th Region title

With their fifth victory over the Corbin Lady Hounds this season, the Whitley County Lady Colonels improved to 34-2 on the year and won their second straight 13^th Region championship title. (more…)

 

Aaron Fredrick Daugherty

Aaron Fredrick Daugherty, age 47, of Caryville, Tennessee formerly of Jellico, Tennessee passed away on Friday, October 20, 2023, at Lafollette Medical Center after a long battle with kidney disease.
Aaron was born February 25, 1976, in Toledo, Ohio.
He was a member of First Baptist Church Jellico, Tennessee where he was baptized on November 28, 1988.
He attended Jellico Elementary School and graduated from Jellico High School where he played football and baseball. He graduated with the class of 1995.
Aaron held several different jobs over the years the most recent of which was at Augusta Industrial Coatings in Augusta, Georgia where he worked for 15 years before becoming disabled. Aaron was a quite, humble person with a soft heart who loved his family and friends.
Aaron was preceded in death by his mother, Sandra Gail Daugherty Chitwood; grandparents, Fred and Essie Mae Daugherty; and step-grandparents, Harry Lee and Opal Ruth Chitwood.
Aaron is survived by his brother, Curtis Dewayne Chitwood of Caryville, Tennessee; step-father and mother, Curtis and Debi Chitwood of Jellico, Tennessee; half-sister, Stacey Smith of Toledo, Ohio; half-brother, William Halterman of Toledo, Ohio; aunts, Wilma Jean Leach of Caryville, Tennessee, Ina Reese and Ray of Lafollette, Tennessee, Phyllis Kirkland of Augusta, Georgia; uncles, Lonnie Chitwood of Florence, Kentucky, Tommy Chitwood and Irene of Jellico, Tennessee, Harry Chitwood and Teresa of Williamsburg, Kentucky; cousins, Jason Kirkland of Augusta, Georgia, Jerry Stack of Augusta, Georgia, Eric and Chris Stack of Williamsburg, Kentucky; several other cousins on the Chitwood side of the family too numerous to name; special friends Gary and Sharon Owens and Jeannie Richardson; and a host of other friends and relatives who mourn his passing.
The family would like to offer special thanks to the employees of Norris Health and Rehabilitation Center for their care and support of Aaron over these past few years and also the employees at Caryville Dialysis Clinic.
Aaron will be sadly missed by all who knew him but we find comfort in knowing he is now with his Lord and Savior, family, friends and loved ones who have gone on before him.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Jellico First Baptist Church memorial fund.
Funeral service was Tuesday, October 24, at Llewellyn Funeral Home with Dr. Robert Dunston officiating. Special music was provided by Kim and Kevin Walden.
Burial followed in the Douglas Cemetery in Wooldridge, Tennessee.
A special thanks to pallbearers, Eric Stack, Chris Stack, Chad Clear, Bobby Zecchini, Bobby Owen Zecchini, and Jason Kirkland.
The Llewellyn Funeral Home of Jellico in charge of arrangements.

 

Out and About Kentucky Style: Coach Roy Kidd

Roy Kidd was a football coach. Was he ever! I got to know the former Eastern Kentucky coach a few years back while I was writing a book, “The Boys From Corbin, America’s Greatest Little Sports Town.”

Roy Kidd was one of those boys. He died at 91 years of age on September 12.

I knew of Coach Kidd, first as a college student and then as a sports fan, and later a writer. He became a national name. His Eastern Kentucky team made an unheard of four consecutive appearances in the Division 1-AA national championship game, winning in 1979 and 1982. There wasn’t much his Colonel teams didn’t win. In fact, they won so much that a few years back ESPN named the 150 greatest football coaches of all-time, and Roy Kidd ranked #60. It surprised no one that Paul “Bear” Bryant was #1.

Everyone in Kentucky, even if they didn’t know whether a football is pumped or stuffed, knew who Coach Kidd was, and his incredible coaching records. But what some might not know is the athletic background he had before becoming a Hall of Fame coach.

Roy Kidd found his own place in a crowded field of sports superstars growing up in Corbin. As a three sport star for the Redhounds, he was good enough to have numerous scholarship offers to play football, basketball or baseball.

“Bear Bryant recruited me at UK for football, but no baseball he said,” recalled Kidd. “Coach Diddle at Western invited me and one of my teammates to campus for a basketball visit.”

That teammate turned out to be one of the all-time greats in the game, Frank Selvy.

“Coach Diddle didn’t fool me,” Kidd said. “He wanted Frank, and I really did think Frank wanted to go to Western. He did tell me if I came there I could also play football.”

Kidd, however, went to Eastern as a left-handed passing halfback at Corbin.

It didn’t take long before his superior leadership qualities and athletic skills led to his transition where in 1952, he became a Little All-American quarterback. Oh yes, he played four years of center field for the Colonels, never batting under .300.

In high school Kidd was no slouch on the hardwood. Playing alongside of Selvy, Jerry Bird, and Bob Terrell, Corbin in 1950 was playing in the State Tournament consolation game after falling in the semis at the Jefferson County Armory in Louisville. Tied with Central City at 69 all, Kidd let fly a shot from mid-court with only seconds left. It went in and Corbin walked away with a 71-69 win.

A short time before Kidd’s shot, teammate Bird had lost the ball, giving Central City a chance to win. Kidd someway, somehow ended up with the ball and let it fly. Walking off the court, Kidd patted Bird on the shoulder while saying, “I saved your butt, didn’t I?”

Corbin played in six straight state tournaments and Kidd was connected to four of them.

Jerry Bird went on to be a great player at UK and the father of Steve Bird, who would later become one of Eastern’s greatest players while leading them to a national title.

But getting the younger Bird to Eastern became a bit tricky.

Steve was something special. A star in football and basketball at Corbin. He was a hot recruit everywhere except UK.

Even though Roy had grown up with Steve’s father, he knew he would still have to recruit Steve. Finally, UK realized they couldn’t let a Bird slip through their fingers. But it was too late.

“We had him signed,” recalled Kidd. “Steve’s dad, Jerry, kept calling me and he didn’t know what to do. He was confused with all of the UK calls. I told Jerry I didn’t know what he could be confused about. He’d already signed his scholarship, and he was going to play football at Eastern.”

That should have solved it, but it didn’t.

Jerry called Roy again. UK assistants for Fran Curci were still calling Steve. Kidd told Jerry he wasn’t going to release Steve, and for him to take Steve out in the backyard and kick his butt.

“I picked up the phone and called Curci,” Kidd said. “I told him the next time anyone from his staff called Steve Bird I would turn them into the NCAA. There was no more problem from then on.”

Steve Bird was a two-time All-American under Kidd and played in the NFL for the Cardinals.

My talking to Coach Kidd was a necessity for my book. As one of Corbin’s greatest he went on to achieve even higher marks as a college player and coach. We agreed to meet at his office on Eastern’s campus. After 38 record setting years, he retired in 2002. Now moving into the development side at the University, he was still able to regularly take the pulse of the football program he had turned into a force on the national scene.

I had never met Coach Kidd before this day in 2012. I’d heard stories about him being a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is style with his players, and especially people he didn’t know who were from of all places Western.

As I sat across the desk from him I could tell a bit of apprehension about telling me “stuff” that would appear in a book.

The longer we chatted, the more comfortable he seemed with me. He chuckled out loud when talking about his visit to Western with Frank Selvy.

“Before we left he told Frank he could count on $80 a month if he came to Western.”  “I’ve told that story a few times,” he laughed while getting in a little dig that Diddle paid his players.

He enjoyed talking about his rivalry with Western.

“You want to beat people who are good and you respect,” he said. “Jimmy Feix was a friend and great coach at Western. Man, did I want to beat him and he did me.”

Eastern vs. Western became the biggest game in the state in both football and basketball. Most of the time the winner would win the Ohio Valley Conference championship.

When Feix retired in 1983, Roy Kidd was invited to be a part of the Jimmy Feix Roast.  Later when Roy Kidd retired, Feix was a part of his roast.

Coach Kidd had plenty of opportunities to leave Richmond and coach at another college for more money.

“Marshall contacted me,” the coach said. “I interviewed and they ask me ‘why do you want this job?’ “I don’t know that I want this job.” “You called me, I didn’t call you.”

“Staying at Eastern saved my life. In 1970 Marshall’s plane crashed killing everyone on board,” Kidd added.

The US Military Academy came calling.

“I had never been in the Army, but this one sounded interesting. I didn’t know if I should go or not, but I thought it would be a fun group of kids to coach.”

Of course Roy Kidd stayed at Eastern, ultimately winning 314 games. His legendary games against Western still bring out the fire while talking about them all of these years later. One of those he chalks up to be one of his best wins.

“It was the dedication game of their new stadium (L.T. Smith) in 1968. They hadn’t even been scored on till then,” he recalled. “We went back to Richmond with a 16-7 win.  Lots of sad people in Bowling Green that day.”

Ten years later, however, in Bowling Green, the game resulted into another game Kidd will never forget.

“The game was almost over. We led 14-13 when they went for a field goal to win. Their kicker missed. I thought it was over.  We win.  Then out of nowhere I see a flag, roughing the kicker. I couldn’t believe it. Of course he hit the next one for a 16-14 win. That one was hard to take.”

Ultimately there was one coaching job that really did get Kidd’s attention.

“In 1989 Jerry Claiborne retired,” he said. “I got an interview and believe me I was prepared. I had my entire plan for what I’d do with the football program. I mapped it all out on paper. Thought I had a shot. Bill Curry was a name talked about for the Kentucky job. He was at Alabama then, and I was told it was down to the two of us.”

“Curry got the job and years later my wife told me Jerry Claiborne’s wife told her UK would never hire someone from Eastern, because it would be beneath them.”

Curry was at Kentucky seven years and struggled to a 26-52 record. Twenty miles away Roy Kidd carved out a Hall of Fame career in the shadow of the Commonwealth Stadium goal post. “Looking back on it, I got a couple of token interviews at UK.”

“I always felt secure at Eastern, never made much money, but people were good to me,” he said.

To further show what was under that tough outer shell of Kidd’s, when Jimmy Feix died in 2014, one of the first calls the Feix family received was from Kidd.

Western’s board of regents in 1992 was close to dropping football. It was about finances and Coach Jack Harbaugh was doing everything to save football. When Kidd heard about what was going on in Bowling Green, he quickly mailed a check to do his part to save a bitter rivals program.

Today a larger-than life statue of Roy Kidd overlooks Roy Kidd Stadium, on Roy and Sue Kidd Way in Richmond. There’s also a Roy Kidd Avenue in Corbin.

There’s no excuse, get up, get out and get going! Gary P. West can be reached at westgarypdeb@gmail.com.

 

Clyde Rose

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Clyde Rose on October 22, 2023.
A thoughtful and loving father, husband, grandfather, and brother, Clyde left an indelible mark on the hearts of all those who knew him.
Clyde is survived by his devoted wife of over 57 years, Diana Rose; his loving daughters, Margie (JC) Stewart of Richmond, KY. and Jeanne (Mike) Greek of Palm Beach Gardens, FL.; his cherished grandchildren, Spencer (Deonda) Brown, Keylee Brown, Addison Greek and Casey Stewart; his precious great-grandchildren, Makynzi Brown, Makynli Brown, Paislee Brown, Harper Deininger, and Tripp Brown; and his loving siblings, Audrey Leach of Williamsburg, KY. and Vernon Rose (Charlene) of Williamsburg, KY. He is survived by several nieces and nephews and a host of other family and friends to mourn his passing.
Clyde was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Mae (Lambdin) Rose; his brothers, Charlie Rose JR. Harold Rose, and AD Lambdin; and his niece, Mary Rose.
Family, friends, and those whose lives were touched by Clyde are invited to the Croley Funeral Home, 103 South 2nd Street, Williamsburg, Kentucky, on Monday, October 30, at 5:00 pm to reminisce, and support each other.
The funeral service will take place at the same venue on Tuesday, October 31, at 1:00 pm, followed by a burial service at the Rose family cemetery on Mud Creek.
Clyde’s life was a testament to the power of love and kindness, and his memory will continue to inspire those who were fortunate enough to have known him.
A military graveside service by the American Legion Post 88 will be at the Mud Creek Cemetery following the service.
Croley Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

 

Ralph Orvan Jones

Ralph Orvan Jones, of Kentucky, born on February 23, 1951, in Duck Run, Kentucky, passed away on October 22, 2023, at the age of 72.
Ralph was a remarkable man, a beacon of reliability in the lives of those fortunate enough to know him.
His thoughtful nature and talented hand as an electrician in the construction industry left an indelible impact on his community. “The only way to do great work is to love what you do,” Steve Jobs once said, and Ralph Jones was the embodiment of this sentiment, dedicating many years of his life to his craft before retiring.
Ralph is survived by his son, Joshua Jones (Alicia); his granddaughter, Jocelyn Jones; his grandson, Mason Jones; and his siblings, Darlene Watson, Leroy Jones (Mariah), Edna Walker (Edward), Georgia Rude (Larry), Nancy Morris (Donald), and Wanda Sue Lawson.
Ralph was a loyal brother, a steadfast father, and a loving grandfather. His life was a living example of the quote by Mark Twain, “The secret of success is making your vocation your vacation.” His dedication to his work was only surpassed by his dedication to his family.
Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, Emerson and Icie Jones; and his siblings, Opal Reynolds, Delphine Mailo, Daryl Jones, James Jones, William Jones, Adam Jones, and Morris Jones.
His life, though marked by loss, was also filled with love, laughter, and the steady hum of his electrician’s work.
Funeral service for Ralph was held on Saturday, October 28, at the Croley Funeral Home, located at 103 South 2nd Street, Williamsburg, Kentucky.
Ralph’s life was a testament to the power of hard work, family, and loyalty. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
We encourage all who knew Ralph to leave memories and upload photos to the memorial page. Each memory shared will serve as a comfort to his family and a testament to his remarkable life.
Croley Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

 

Lorene Moses

Lorene Moses, age 82, of Williamsburg, KY, passed away Thursday, October 19, 2023 at Williamsburg Health and Rehabilitation Center.
She was born September 12, 1941 in Tennessee to the late Hughie Turner and the late Mary Gordon Adams.
Along with her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Arlis Gene Moses; a son, Darrell G. Moses; and one sister, Annette Lambdin.
She is survived by two children, Rovena Sue Moses of Sidney, OH, and Johnny W. Moses (Pam) of Williamsburg, KY; daughter-in-law, Carol Moses of Williamsburg, KY; four grandchildren, Brenda Moses (Vancil) of Williamsburg, KY, Stephanie Skidmore of Williamsburg, KY, Matthew Moses (Emily) of Milan, IN, and Connie Kissell (Matthew) of Osgood, IN; and a host of great grandchildren; one sister, Emma Lee Wolfe of Sidney, OH; several nieces, and nephews; the staff of Williamsburg Health and Rehab who knew her as Mamaw; and a host of relatives and friends to mourn her passing.
Funeral service was Sunday, October 22, at the Ellison Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Harold Long and Rev. Mike Moses officiating.
Interment followed in the Thomas Cemetery.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.ellisonfh.com.
Ellison Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

 

 

No one injured during crash involving school bus Monday

As the old saying goes, most accidents happen close to home, or, in the case of a Whitley County school bus Monday morning, close to school.

No one was injured during an accident involving school bus #083, which was in route to the main campus with 27 high school and middle school students on board, when the accident occurred about 7:35 a.m.

Superintendent John Siler said that the accident happened on US25W about a quarter mile north of the traffic light in front of the Boulevard of Champions, which leads to the main campus.

Siler said that a car pulled out in front of another car, and during the collision one of those vehicles got knocked into the side of the school bus.

Siler said no students were injured and that to his knowledge no one else was injured during the crash.

The bus sustained no significant damage, and was used to transported the students the rest of the way to school after the accident.

Siler, who arrived at the accident scene just a few minutes after the crash, rode on the school bus with the students the rest of school.

Siler said that he is grateful no one was hurt.

 

Terry H. Stigall

Terry H. Stigall, 73, passed away peacefully with family by his side on October 19, 2023.
Terry was born in Danville, Kentucky on July 11, 1950, the first of three children, of the late James and Jean Stigall.
Growing up in Perryville, Kentucky, Terry attended Boyle County Schools, graduating from Boyle County High School in 1975, where he was later inducted into the Boyle County Athletics Hall of Fame.
Terry went on to attend Cumberland College and play the game he loved so dearly, baseball. As a “soft throwing” lefty with a wicked curve ball, he would become Cumberland’s all time single season saves leader and single season appearances leader. After his playing career was over, Terry would dedicate the rest of his professional career to the place he loved, Cumberland College. He became the head coach of the Cumberland College baseball team in 1983 and would go on to win 502 games as head coach. He was the KIAC Coach of the Year three times and would be inducted into Cumberland’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003. More importantly to him though, were his players. Terry’s love of each and every one of his players went beyond just being their coach. He cared for them on a personal level, wanting to mentor them and following their lives after they graduated. He was immensely proud of their successes as much as his own. He had 82 players earn all-conference honors, and ten players sign professional contracts. Terry also was a professor during his time at Cumberland, teaching in the heath department. He loved teaching and the interactions and relationships with his students.
Terry was most well known for his love and fanaticism of the Boston Red Sox. His father passed down his fandom of the Red Sox to him, and Terry to his children. You could always find Terry with a Red Sox pull-over or baseball cap on. It was easy to find his office on campus with Red Sox memorabilia pouring into the hall way. He always had NESN on his TV at home and never missed a game. In 2004, he got to see the Red Sox win a World Series for the first time in his lifetime, something he always said he thought would never happen. He had near daily calls with his son to discuss the ins and outs of the Red Sox or to watch a game together over the phone.
Beyond sports, Terry loved one thing more than baseball: his family. Terry lived for the moments he had with his children, Adam and Alicia, and his five grandchildren. He was affectionally referred to as Pop-Pop and he often requested daily video calls so he could see his grandchildren. Terry’s children and grandchildren were the source of his deepest pride and most significant joy.
Terry was absolute in his dedication to living his life in the most ethical way he knew how, guided by his moral compass and “doing things the right way”.
He was anchored by his faith in God and was a member of the Pleasant View United Methodist Church. The people in Terry’s life were most important to him. He tried his best to treat everyone he encountered with kindness and respect, and had a unique way of making friends anywhere he went. He cherished all of his friendships, both new and old. He truly enjoyed talking and spending time with the people in his life, whether that be bouncing from office to office at the college or spending late nights in the back of Hollywood Video with his friends and his son debating sports and politics.
Terry was preceded in death by his parents, James and Jean Stigall of Perryville, and his sister, April Bowlin.
He is survived by his wife, Carol Stigall; brother, Woody Stigall; children, Adam Stigall (wife, Jessica) and Alicia McMillan (husband, Jesse); grandchildren, Shepard and Poppy Stigall, and Atreus, Kanaan, and Remy McMillin.
Services will be held on Tuesday, October 24th, with a visitation from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm and a memorial service to follow at 1:00 pm at Ellison Funeral Home, 512 Main Street, Williamsburg, Kentucky.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.ellisonfh.com.
Ellison Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

 

Tabitha Elizabeth Blankenship

Tabitha Elizabeth Blankenship, age 36 of Huntsville, Tennessee passed away Monday, October 16, 2023.
She was born June 22, 1987, in Ft. Lewis, Washington.
Tabitha was a lover of all animals and pursued a career in the veterinarian field. Her greatest joys in her life were her daughter Katie and her family and friends.
Tabitha was preceded in death by her father, Barry Vern Blankenship; grandparents, Carl David Sannan, Elizabeth (Betty) Louise Sannan, John Beaty Blankenship and Barbara Jane Blankenship.
She is survived by daughter, Katie Washam; mother, Julie Perkins and husband Herbert; brother, Johnathon Blankenship and wife Laura; sister, Tara Blankenship; niece’s, Millie Mardis, and Bella Mardis; aunt and uncle, Terresa Buchanan and husband Tim; cousins, Larry Knepper, and Alex Rosen; and a host of relatives and friends.
Funeral service was Saturday, October 21 at the Harp Funeral Home with Rev. D.J. Osborne officiating.
Burial followed in the Warren Memorial Gardens.
Harp Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

 

Theresa Dalton Shelton

Theresa Dalton Shelton, passed from this life on October 16, 2023 at The Neighborhood Assisted Living Facility in Somerset, Kentucky.
Theresa was the daughter of the late Eddie and Della Tarter Dalton of Somerset, Kentucky. She married her college sweetheart, Eugene Shelton, and he preceded her in death.
Theresa is survived by her sister, Priscilla Dalton Kinch and the following nephews: David Dalton, Wendell Neeley, Eddie Lewis (Susan Jones) Dalton, Andrew ( Brittany Woodall) Kinch and special great nephew and niece Andrew Dalton Kinch and Harper Meredith Kinch.
Theresa is also survived by the following in-laws: Tom (Sharon) Shelton and Allene Floyd Dalton.
In addition to the deaths of her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her siblings, Odessa Dalton Neeley and husband Claude, Ervin (Pad) Dalton and wife, Thelma Pierce Dalton, Lervie Dalton, brother-in-law, Marvin Kinch and her nephew Gary Dalton and in-laws: Irene Cooper, Bill Shelton, Donald Shelton, Ruth Shelton Frey and Clairene Shelton Starnes.
Theresa was a graduate of Nancy High School and Eastern Kentucky University where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree of Education, Master’s and Rank 1 in Library Science. She retired as Librarian at Somerset High School and was an avid bridge player.
A graveside service next to her husband, Eugene, was held on October 20, at the Highlands Cemetery in Williamsburg, Kentucky.
The family would like to express their thanks to Sharon Reynolds and staff at The Neighborhood for their loving care of Theresa for the last 10 years.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to the Pulaski County Public Library Children’s Garden, 304 South Main Street, Somerset, KY, 42501 or the donor’s charity of choice in memory of Theresa Daulton Shelton.
Pulaski Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.