Grace Willis Hale
With heavy hearts, we share the news of the peaceful passing of Grace Willis Hale, a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend.
Grace was born on February 29, 1944, in Jellico, Tennessee, and departed from this world on March 18, 2024, surrounded by love and family. Her kind spirit and unwavering dedication will forever be cherished and remembered by all who were fortunate to know her.
Grace dedicated her life to caring for her family as a devoted housewife. Her love and nurturing presence enriched the lives of many, including her surviving children, Walter Cox, Judy Prewitt, and Chester Cox. Grace’s legacy of love continues through her cherished grandchildren, Tabitha Phillips, Ashley Trett, Kenneth Prewitt, Walter Dale, Justin Dale, Dustin Dale, Billy Bryant, Marlin Cox, and many more.
Her siblings, Geneva Reynolds, Zella Prewitt, Bertha Bray, Ellen Johns, and David Willis, also share in the fond memories of Grace’s life. Grace’s daughter-in-law, Betty Cox, and son-in-law, Robert Hale Jr., held a special place in her heart and will forever cherish her memory.
The celebration of Grace’s life will take place at Croley Funeral Home on Friday, March 22. A family viewing will be held at 11:00 am, followed by a public viewing at 12:00 pm. A touching funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 pm, where family, friends, and acquaintances will gather to pay their respects.
Grace’s final resting place will be in the embrace of the earth she loved, with a burial ceremony to be held on the same day. She will be laid to rest, surrounded by the love and prayers of those who had the privilege of knowing her.
As we prepare to bid farewell to Grace, we invite all who knew her to join us in honoring her life and the legacy of love she leaves behind. Grace’s memory will forever endure in the hearts of her loved ones and the generations she touched, including her ten great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild, each a testament to the enduring impact of her life.
May her gentle soul rest in eternal peace as we remember her with reverence and gratitude for the love and light she shared with us all.
Croley Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
JoAnn Moses
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of JoAnn Moses, a beloved seamstress known for her work in the Lion Uniform Industry.
JoAnn was born on May 23, 1939 in Harlan, KY, and peacefully passed away on March 16, 2024 at the Hospice of Lake Cumberland in Somerset, Kentucky. She was a member of the Little Wolf Creek Church of God.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lonnie Rountree and Annie (Moses) Rountree; husband, James Ledford Moses; daughter, Tammy Gentry; stepson, Roy Moses; grandson, Michael Eugene Moses, II; sisters, Dessie Moses, Rusha Caddell, Shirline Byrd, and Dora Howard; and brothers, Arlie Rountree, Glen Rountree, and Arvide Rountree.
JoAnn leaves behind a legacy of love and hard work that will be cherished by her surviving relatives: her daughters, Angila Huddleston, Bobbi Murray, and son-in-law, Chuck Murray; son, Michael Moses, and daughter-in-law, Betsy Moses; as well as her grandchildren: Rebecca Purcell (Blaine), James Raymond Moses, Johnathan Christopher Murray (Valerie), Andrea Jean Bird (David), Crystal Barton (Mark), Cody Huddleston (Chyenne), Jonathon Moore (Candy), Jerica Day (Chris), and Jesse Moore (Katelyn); 19 great-grandchildren and several great great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Estil Rountree (Audrey). Several nieces and nephews and a host of other family and friends to mourn her passing.
A funeral service to celebrate JoAnn’s life will be held at Croley Funeral Home on Thursday, March 21, at 3:00 pm with Rev. Mike Moses and Rev. Tommy Ayers officiating. Prior to the service, a public viewing will take place at 1:00 pm.
She will be laid to rest in the Whitley Memorial Gardens.
JoAnn’s kindness, dedication, and talent will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Let us gather together to honor her memory and support her family during this difficult time.
Croley Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Bobby Gene Lemons
Bobby Gene Lemons, age 86, of Sebastian, Florida passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 7, 2024.
Bobby grew up in Jellico, Tennessee and graduated Jellico High School. He spent his working years in Toledo Ohio, retiring from General Motors.
Bobby enjoyed fishing on Lake Erie, bowling and hunting in North Carolina. Bobby lived in Ruskin Florida thru his retirement years, enjoying his lake and yard. Later he was able to move back home to Jellico.
He is preceded in death by his father, Richard Lewis Lemons; mother, Minnie Evalee (Vaughn) Lemons; brother, Jimmy Lemons, and Denny Lemons.
Bobby is survived by mother of his children, Damaris (Rose) Lemons; sons, Brian Lemons and Robbin, James Lemons, and Steven Lemons; grandchildren, Kyle, Katlyn, and Lindsay; brother, Richard Lemons, Jr. and wife Bonnie; sisterm Mary Enix and husband Ray; and a host of nieces, nephews, friends and family to mourn his passing.
Graveside service will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 24, in the Lemons Family Cemetery, Jellico, Tennessee. Friend of the family, Michael Gibson will be officiating.
Harp Funeral Home of Jellico in charge of arrangements.
Michael “Mike” Huddleston, Sr.
Michael “Mike” Huddleston, Sr., age 71, of the Brick Plant Community of Jellico, Tennessee, passed away Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at his home.
He was born August 31, 1952, in Jellico, Tennessee.
Mike was a long-time member and deacon of the Oswego Missionary Baptist Church.
Mike is preceded in death by his father, Jess Huddleston, Jr.; mother, and Willa Jean (Cox) Huddleston.
He is survived by his wife, Retha (Davis) Huddleston; son, Mikie Huddleston and Christy; daughter, Kim Baird and John; like sons, Jerry Hoover, and Johnny Honeycutt; grandchildren, Sarah Lambdin and Isaac, Hunter Baird, Kaleb Baird, and Emma Huddleston; great-grandchildren, Ryker Smith, Ryleigh Lambdin, and Cayson Delk; very special friend, Bobby Minton; and a host of nieces, nephews, friends and family to mourn his passing.
The funeral services was Saturday, March 16, at the Harp Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Mark Stanley and Bro. Johnny Davis officiating.
Burial followed in the Huddleston Cemetery in Jellico, Tennessee.
Harp Funeral Home of Jellico in charge of arrangements.
Terry Pugsley
Terry Pugsley, age 77, of Williamsburg, KY, passed away Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at Hilliard Assisted Living in Hilliard, OH.
He was born January 24, 1947 in Fairmont, MN, to the late Harold and Marie Updike Pugsley. Along with his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Noreta “Dee Dee” Partin Pugsley; a daughter, Rhonda Viers; and a granddaughter, Darla Tedrick.
Terry was a proud veteran of the United States Army and was a member of the Williamsburg Masonic Lodge #490 F&AM.
He is survived by his son, Edward Pugsley (Marie) of Hilliard, OH; two daughters, Angela Solomon (Lee) of Ocean City, MD, and Jessica Franks; 10 grandchildren, David Ho-Todd (Heather), Scott Pugsley, Benjamin Pugsley, Adam Pugsley, Nicholas Franks, Travis Franks, Jake Viers, Zachary Viers, Ashlee Solomon, and Brandon Solomon; seven great-grandchildren, Elliot, Avery, Nathaniel, Xavier, Silas, and Daniel, Kai; two sisters, Alma Dietz, and Shirley Baggenstoss (Gary); one brother, Judd Copeland; several nieces, nephews, and a host of relatives and friends to mourn his passing.
Funeral service will be 1:00 PM on Tuesday, March 19, at Pleasant View Baptist Church with Rev. Jerry Sester officiating.
Interment will be in the Pleasant View Cemetery Moses Addition.
Visitation will be 12:00 PM until the funeral hour Tuesday, March 19, at Pleasant View Baptist Church.
Williamsburg Masonic Lodge #490 F&AM will conduct Masonic Rites at 1:00 PM at the church.
American Legion Post 88 will conduct military graveside honors.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Terry’s memory to National Church Residences Hospice, 2245 North Bank Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43220.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.ellisonfh.com.
Ellison Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Cumberlands offering new online master’s in healthcare administration
Healthcare administration is a unique avenue to make a difference in the lives of patients, their families, and medical teams – all without the need of a medical degree.
University of the Cumberlands is now offering an online Master of Science in Healthcare Administration (MSHA) degree, with classes beginning summer 2024.
The degree program focuses on the business side of the healthcare industry, equipping graduates to become medical and health services leaders who can ensure the efficient and effective delivery of patient care services.
The curriculum offers a practice-enabled online learning model that emphasizes the conceptual, analytical, and real-world experiences needed to manage contemporary healthcare organizations. To learn more about Cumberlands’ new online MSHA degree, visit www.ucumberlands.edu/academics.
Dr. Trey Jarboe, provost at Cumberlands, said, “To put it simply, there is and always will be a pressing need for medical workers such as nurses, physician assistants, surgeons, and so forth. Simultaneously, there is a high need for qualified healthcare administrators to keep healthcare organizations running smoothly. We already offer nursing programs, physician assistant programs, and more at Cumberlands, and this new healthcare administration master’s program is a way for us to continue strengthening healthcare in Appalachia and across the nation through quality and accessible education.”
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted all aspects of America’s healthcare delivery system, highlighting the frailties within. As a result, knowledgeable and capable healthcare professionals have become a more crucial need than ever nationwide.
In fact, the need is likely to grow; as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projected in 2023, medical and health services manager employment will increase 28 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than all other occupations.
Cumberlands’ online health administration master’s degree program will give students opportunities to demonstrate advanced knowledge of present-day healthcare theories and practices, gain hands-on experience and application-based skills, develop stronger interpersonal and communication skills, apply ethical reasoning within a medical business context, and conduct rigorous research.
Jarboe added, “Empowerment begins with education. Healthcare education is critical to bridging the gaps in all realms of healthcare and ensuring transformative and life-saving medical services are available in all regions. Not only do programs like this MSHA degree benefit the graduates who earn it, but they impact the communities where these equipped professionals live and work. This program is ultimately about providing an opportunity to prepare graduates to help the most people possible through healthcare administration.”
With nearly $128,000 being the average salary for healthcare managers in the U.S. and Kentucky currently having fewer than 11,000 medical and health services managers employed statewide (2022, BLS.gov), a position in the field can be lucrative as well as beneficial to the general population.
University of the Cumberlands’ Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner program was recently ranked among the best and most affordable online programs of its kind in America by NurseJournal.org.
Earlier this academic year, both PA (physician assistant) programs at Cumberlands had a 100 percent pass rate for their national certification exams, and PA students from the Florence campus placed 3rd at the AAPA National Medical Challenge Bowl.
The new DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy) program at Cumberlands, named after Connie Hauser, DPT, a pioneer of physical therapy throughout Kentucky, conducted its first white coat ceremony in February 2024.
Cumberlands is continually expanding its opportunities for students to obtain quality and affordable health science education. Learn more at www.ucumberlands.edu/academics.
Former UK baseballer’s book of poetry serves as a beautiful homage to one of the sport’s all-time greats
If you are a casual baseball fan, then you may or may not know the name Josh Gibson. He is considered by many historians to be one of the best catchers that the game has ever seen, but the fact that he spent his career in the Negro League means that many “best of” lists will not include his name. (more…)
Proposed legislation could drastically increase the amount of agricultural lands eligible for protections
County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources Stacy White during a special event at the extension office last year
If signed into law, a bill currently making the rounds in Frankfort could result in more farms being able to receive certain protections by petitioning to become what is known as an “agricultural district.” (more…)
Cheryl Robinson
Cheryl Robinson, age 74, of Corbin, Kentucky, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, from natural causes. Born on December 7, 1949, in Corbin, Kentucky, she leaves behind a legacy of love and devotion.
A dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Mrs. Robinson is survived by her loving husband, Irven Robinson, and her cherished son, Terry Trosper (Becky) and her step-sons, Timothy Robinson (Michelle) and Randy Robinson (Katie). She will also be dearly missed by her grandchildren Crissy Hickman, Jamie Trosper, Marybeth Robinson, Adrian Robinson, Aubrey Robinson, Bennett Robinson, and Emmitt Robinson; as well as her great-grandchildren Joshua Trosper, Abby Trosper, Lexi Hickman, and Lily Trosper. Mrs. Robinson is also survived by her brother, Glen Centers. She also leaves behind several nieces and nephews as well as a host of other family and friends to mourn her passing.
Mrs. Robinson’s life will be celebrated at a funeral service at Central Baptist Church, where she was a proud member, in Corbin, Kentucky, on March 18, at 2:00 pm. Prior to the service, a family viewing will take place at the church at 12:00 pm.
Following the service, Mrs. Robinson will be laid to rest at a burial ceremony at Cumberland Memorial Gardens at 3:30 pm on the same day.
Her kindness, warmth, and gentle spirit will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. She leaves behind a legacy of love that will continue to inspire and comfort her family and friends.
Croley Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Kentucky State Police charges another Whitley Co. man with child sexual exploitation offenses
The Kentucky State Police Electronic Crime Branch has announced the arrest of another man in Whitley County for child sexual exploitation offenses. This is the second such announcement made by the agency this week. (more…)