Frances Sue (Sowders) Proffitt
Frances Sue (Sowders) Proffitt, age 82, of Corbin, Kentucky, formerly of Long Island City, New York, and Jellico, Tennessee, passed away Monday morning, January 17, 2022, at Baptist Health Corbin.
Frances was born on December 28, 1939, in Bonnie Blue, Virginia, to the late Cal and Rosa Sowders. She was raised mostly in Jellico.
Frances moved to Astoria, NY in 1959, to marry Willie, her “Tennessee Sweetheart,” after he was discharged from the United States Air Force at Mitchell Field. They raised their seven children in New York. She enjoyed her job at Rockefeller Center in NYC. Frances spent most every chance she could back in Kentucky and Tennessee, finally moving back in 2019. She loved to fish, go to bingo, and visit with family.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sons, Daniel “Boone” Proffitt and Calvin Ray Proffitt; two great grandsons, Joshua Green and Isaac Couch; son in law, Paul Amico; and her beloved sister, Mabel Cooper.
She is survived by her husband of 62.5 years , Willie Oscar Proffitt Jr., of Corbin, KY; five children, Deborah Ornellas, of Olympia, Washington, Willie “Oscar” (Connie) Proffitt, III, of Corbin, KY, Theresa Amico, of Seminole, Florida, Anthony (Annie) Proffitt, of Pembroke Pines, FL, and Rosa (Mike) Federico, of Hauppauge, NY; 16 Grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one brother, Ray Sowders, and wife, Ruby; numerous in-laws, nephews and nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces, other relatives, and friends who mourn her passing.
Frances never liked being the center of attention and per her wishes there will be no services at this time, “Don’t cry over me when I’m gone. I’ve lived a good life.”
Cox and Son Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.




