Carson Payne, Jr

Carson Payne, Jr., affectionately known as “Bad Eye” to his radio listeners and fans, age 69, of Monticello, Kentucky, formerly of the Red Ash Community of Whitley County, KY, passed away on Tuesday morning, June 21, 2023, at his home.
He was born on December 21, 1953, to the late Carson Payne, Sr. and Fannie (Perkins) Payne in Jellico, Tennessee.
He was the grandson of the late Al G. Payne and Eva (Vaughn) Payne and the late William Perkins and Nannie (Nicholson) Perkins.
Carson was a well-known storyteller who entertained countless people throughout the years with his special style of delivering humorous stories, telling of “actual” events, and rich lore from Southeast Kentucky and East Tennessee. Later, he hosted a radio show on WHAY for many years.
Carson was a retired Kentucky State Health Inspector. He was a longtime member and deacon of the Kensee Missionary Baptist Church before moving to Monticello where he transferred his church membership to the Parmsley Grove Baptist Church.
He was a member of the Jellico Masonic Lodge, # 527, F&AM for more than 48 years. He was initiated an Entered Apprentice Mason on March 14, 1975, passed to the degree of Fellow Craft Mason on April 19, 1975, and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason on May 23, 1975. He was elected and served as Master of Jellico Lodge in 1985.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jane (Sowder) Payne; four brothers, Ernest Delbert Payne, William Alford Payne, George “Shank” Payne, and infant, Johnny Hugh Payne; sister, Nannie Sue (Payne) Davis; four brothers-in-law, Johnny Herron, J. L. Davis, Charles Sowder, and Eddie “Eddie-Boy” Sowder; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Edd Sowder and Charlotte “Granny” (Hackler) Sowder.
He is survived by his son, Carson Edward “Cas” Payne, and wife, Stephanie (Bush) Payne, and two grandchildren, Carson Jabez Payne and Julieann Summer Payne, all of Monticello.
He is also survived by two sisters, Dollie (Payne) Williams, of Xenia, Ohio, and Selma (Payne) Herron, of Strawberry Plains, Tennessee; five sisters-in-law, Laura (Graham) Payne, of Clinton, TN, Rachel Payne, of Soddy Daisy, TN, Emilee (Jeffers) Payne, of the Red Ash Community of Whitley County, KY, Eudell (Brooks) Sowder, of Williamsburg, KY, and Jessica Henley, of Virginia; several nieces and nephews; numerous great-nieces and great-nephews, and a host of friends, neighbors, and other relatives to celebrate his Home-Going.
Masonic Funeral Rites were conducted by the Jellico Masonic Lodge # 527, F&AM on Friday afternoon, June 23 at the Cox & Son Funeral Home Chapel.
Funeral services followed with the Rev. Rayburn Sweet, Rev. Benny Bush, and Rev. E. Wayne Barton, II, officiating. Special music was presented by Mr. Virgil Bowlin.
Interment followed on Friday evening, June 23, in the Clearfork Baptist Church Cemetery located on Highway 1804 in the Cane Creek Community of Whitley County, KY.
Pallbearers were Will Hackler, Mark Tidwell, Steve Payne, Daniel Chitwood, Brent Halcomb, Lenny Strunk, Andy Moses, and Clint Smith.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to Parmsley Grove Baptist Church in Monticello, KY.
Cox & Son Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Carolyn “Carol” (Spencer) Stanaford

Carolyn “Carol” (Spencer) Stanaford, age 77, of Dayton, Ohio and formerly of Roses Creek, Tennessee passed away Friday, May 26, 2023 at Kindred Hospital.
She was born March 18, 1946, in Dayton, Ohio. Carol was Baptized in May of 1973. She taught kindergarten for 35 years, most of that time was spent at White Oak Elementary School. She was the genealogist of the family and a huge Elvis fan.
Carol is preceded in death by her husband, Milace Lynn Stanaford (aka Speedy); father, Amos Newton Spencer, Sr.; mother, Maude Marie (Powers) Spencer; brother, Amos Newton Spencer, Jr.
She is survived by her daughter, Kathleen Lynne (Stanaford) Abney and grandson, Joshua Hunter Milace Abney both of Dayton, Ohio; favorite little fur baby, Prissy; close family friends, Scott Osborn, and Kevin Shewbridge; and a host of friends and family to mourn her passing.
Memorial service will be at 11 am on Saturday, July 1, at the White Oak Church of God with Rev. Warren Marlowe and Rev. Tommy Eastridge officiating.
Burial will follow in the Leach Cemetery, Roses Creek.
Harp Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

7th Annual Kayaking for Kids, sponsoring for a cause

Excitement is building for the upcoming Seventh Annual Kayaking for Kids event, scheduled to take place on Aug. 5. With years of past successes, this water-based event promises a day filled with fun and unforgettable memories.

As the event draws near, potential sponsors are invited to positively impact the lives of children in our community by benefiting local school resource centers.

Whitley County Projects Director Amber Owens said that last year’s turnout for fundraising was the highest it has ever been.

Last year, they raised over $20,000 for Upward basketball scholarships and family resource centers. This was a massive difference from the first time they hosted the event when it raised a little under $10,000 and having fewer racers/participators.

The proceeds fund scholarships for the Williamsburg Upward and Corbin Upward basketball leagues. The remainder of the money is then split between the elementary school family resource centers.

“We are hoping to at least match or raise more than we did last year,” Owens said.

The sponsor deadline is July 7. All sponsorship donations will go to the family resource centers.

Regarding sponsorships, the event offers various levels of support, each with its unique benefits.

Silver-level sponsorships are $100, including your name on the race T-shirt and two race spots.

Gold-level sponsorships are $250, including your logo on shirts, banners, and four race spots.

Platinum-level sponsorships are $500, including your logo on shirts and banners, your logo and name on social media, and six race spots.

The race will start at the Whitley County Fairgrounds and end at the Croley Bend Boat Ramp, which concludes at about five miles. This year’s route differs from the first time the event was hosted, when covered only two and a half miles.

After the race is over, participants can enjoy lunch and prizes.

“We want to invite everyone to join us this year on a fun day on the river. We award cash prizes to the first, second, and third-place winners. All the money goes to the kids in the community,” Owens said.

To be a race sponsor, or to get more information about the race, contact Amber Owens at (606) 549-6000 or aowens@2geton.net.

US25w roundabout work begins Monday (June 26) in Whitley County

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) advises motorists that crews will begin corrective work on the US25W roundabout project in Whitley County on Monday (June 26).

The project area will extend from mile point 16.027 (KY 2987) to mile point 16.203 (I-75 overpass) in Whitley County.

Preparation for corrective work will include lane closures in this location on both north and southbound sides of U.S. 25W. One lane of traffic will be open at all times and controlled by flaggers until expected completion date of Saturday (July 1).

The speed limit will be reduced to 35 miles per hour.

KYTC asks motorists to be aware of the work zone, expect significant delays, and to utilize safe driving habits when traveling through the area.

The date, time, and duration of work may be adjusted if inclement weather or other unforeseen delays occur. Motorists can access travel and traffic conditions at http://goky.ky.gov or contribute their reports at www.waze.com or via the Waze mobile application. You can also get traffic information for District 11 counties at www.facebook.com/KYTCDistrict11 or by following us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/KYTCDistrict11.

Flying High: Former Colonel Kevin Simpson realizes lifelong dream of becoming a pilot

As a football player and track-and-field athlete at Whitley County High School, Kevin Simpson was always used to going fast. Whether it was trying to beat a defender into the endzone or cross the finish line before an opposing runner, speed was always the key to his success. Fast forward nearly a decade later, and the 2015 grad is still going places in a hurry as a First Officer for JetBlue Airways and a Black Hawk helicopter pilot for the Kentucky National Guard. (more…)

Tell Me A Story: Betty Croley’s ‘Miss Betty’s Toddler Time’ continues to positively impact children in Whitley County

From a young age, Betty Croley learned firsthand all about the important work that goes on inside the local library. Her mother, Joyce Freeman, was a librarian in Whitley County for 35 years. Now, as Croley herself is about to begin her 24th year as a full-time employee at the Whitley County Public Library, she feels that things have come full circle. (more…)

Whitley Co. teams partner together to present two-day youth sports camp

Last week, several of Whitley County High School’s varsity sports teams joined forces to present a two-day youth camp that included hands-on instruction in six different athletic activities. (more…)

Former LCHS Wildcat standout graduates from Police Academy

Lynn Camp sports fans are sure to remember the name Austyn Weddle. As a multi-sport athlete, he helped several varsity-level Wildcat athletic programs remain competitive on the court and field during his years at LCHS. (more…)

Eugene Siler, Sr. was the ultimate ‘man of the people’

Pat Jones and Eugene Siler, Jr.

Over time, it has become somewhat of a cliché to refer to a public servant as a man, or woman, of the people. However, in the case of Eugene Siler, Sr., it is most definitely not lip service. (more…)

Tri-County Elk’s Lodge celebrates Flag Day

The Tri-County Elks Lodge, in collaboration with the Downtown Corbin program, proudly celebrated Flag Day on June 14, commemorating the symbol of our nation’s unity, strength, and freedom.

The event brought together enthusiastic individuals, young and old alike, to honor the Stars and Stripes while fostering a deep sense of patriotism, the Elks Lodge wrote in a release.

Flag Day, observed annually across the United States, was marked with a remarkable display of dedication and reverence by members of the Elks Lodge #2826. Known for their commitment to charitable endeavors and community service, the Elks organized the event to highlight the significance of the American flag and to unveil an updated Corbin Elks Veterans Memorial community garden, the release stated.

Several Elks members contributed time and labor in landscaping the area with a generous donor providing a new flag pole for the garden.

The highlight of the Flag Day festivities was the moving and reverent Flag Detail performed by the Corbin High School Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC). Other activities included brief remarks related to Flag Day history shared by Darryl Lawson (Exalted Ruler of Lodge #2826), recognition of local military veterans, comments of gratitude delivered by Corbin Mayor Suzie Razmus, and the playing of the national anthem as Old Glory rose to the overcast sky.

The Elks organization remains steadfast in its commitment to serving communities across the country and promoting American values. Through their efforts, they inspire individuals to embrace their civic duties and foster a spirit of unity, making a positive impact on the lives of those around them, the release added.

For more information about the Tri-County Elks Lodge and their upcoming events, please contact Darryl Lawson at dlawson20@yahoo.com.