All Obituaries

Lewis P. Thompson, 83, of Cranks, KY passed away Thursday, December 4, 2025. He was born January 23, 1942, in Harlan, KY. Mr. Thompson was a retired truck driver and believed in the Protestant faith. He is preceded in death by his parents, Monroe and Mary Ellen Thompson; his wife, Gertrude Thompson; his daughter, Paige L. Stecewicz; his granddaughter, Kyra Thompson; his brothers, George, Ed and Johnny Thompson. Survivors include his children, Darren Thompson and wife Brittany, Brooke ...

Clarence Middleton, 93, of Cranks, KY passed away Friday, March 20, 2026, following an extended illness. He was born February 22, 1933, in Cranks, KY. Clarence was a retired coal miner. He is preceded in death by his parents, Tom Middleton and Nettie Collins Middleton, his brothers, Milt, Buck, Tommy, Theodore Middleton, Donald Middleton and his sister, Jimmie Middleton. He is survived by his brother, Dewey Middleton and a host of several nieces, nephews, relatives and friends also ...

Donald Middleton, 81, of Cranks, KY passed away Friday, March 6, 2026, following an extended illness. He was born August 10, 1944, in Cranks, KY. Don was a retired coal miner and a Veteran of the U.S. Army. He is preceded in death by his parents, Tom Middleton and Nettie Collins Middleton; his brothers, Milt, Buck, Tommy and Theodore Middleton and his sister, Jimmie Middleton. Survivors include two brothers, Dewey Middleton and Clarence Middleton; and a host of several nieces, nephews, ...

Freddie Branson, 83 of Dandridge, TN and formerly of Harlan, KY entered Heaven on Monday, March 2, 2026, at Jefferson Park at Dandridge Nursing Facility. She was born on September 17, 1942, in Harlan. She was a former Dietitian at Harlan Appalachian Regional Hospital for many years, a talented musician, a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and member of Jefferson City Church of God. She is preceded in death by her parents, Fred Williams and Louise Morgan Williams and her husband, Glen ...

Hobert “Tom” Philpot, 74, of Cranks, KY went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, February 28, 2026. He was born August 18, 1951, in Grays Knob, KY. Tom was a retired coal miner and he loved the Lord.  He is preceded in death by his parents, Cecil Junior Philpot and Dorothy Lorene Haynes Philpot; his daughter, Shiela Marie Lee and his sisters, Elsie Asher and Charlene Gross. Survivors include the love of his life for the last 35 years, Kathy Smith of Cranks, KY; his son, ...

Billy Wayne Napier age 59 a resident Hodgenville, KY, passed away suddenly on February 12, 2026, at Baptist Health in Hardin, KY. He was raised in his hometown of Harlan, KY. Billy was born on March 3, 1966, to Burley Napier, Jr. and Luverna “Pat” Napier in Harlan, KY. He believed in the Church of God faith. Billy is preceded in death by his Mom, Luverna “Pat” Napier and his nephews Mindle “Bud” Davidson III and Justin Ray Napier. Left to cherish his ...

David “Rebel” Smith, 66, of Fourmile, KY was born January 22, 1960, in Harlan County and passed away Wednesday, February 11, 2026. Rebel was a retired truck driver, the owner of David’s Auto Detailing and believed in the Holiness faith. He is preceded in death by his father, Dewayne Smith; his brothers, Doyle Smith, Ted Smith and Timothy Smith; his sisters, Judy Smith and Lisa Smith. Survivors include his loving wife, Libby Huff Smith; his mother, Joyce Ann Smith. His ...

Judy Gayle Holden, 62, of Eastbrook, KY entered her Heavenly home and found her eternal peace on Monday February 2, 2026. She was born on November 5, 1963, to the late James “Bill” Roark & Peggy “Pag” Rainey Roark. Judy worked many jobs throughout her lifetime, including Hardee’s, Comp Care, a long-haul truck driver in which she loves traveling the country, & was currently working for Harlan Community Action Agency until her passing. But her favorite ...

Otis “Boy” Welch, Jr., 75 of Coalgood, KY departed for his sunset on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, with his family by his side. His sunrise was on March 30, 1950, in Harlan, KY. Otis had worked for over 20 years as a heavy machine operator for Mary Helen Coal Company and worked for Advance Auto in Harlan for several years. Otis loved his family, and was an outdoorsman, who enjoyed hunting, fishing, four wheeling and was an excellent guitar player. He was also a member of the Mary ...

Earl Allen Cottrell Sr., 65, of Wallins, KY passed away peacefully at his residence on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. He was born December 11, 1960, in Harlan, KY. Earl was a retired contractor and believed in the Pentecostal faith. He is preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Virginia Cottrell; his sister, Tave Cottrell Blanton; his brothers, Jerry, Curtis and Billy Don Cottrell. Left mourn his passing is his children, Michelle Cottrell (Arlis Ross Bray), Leslie Saylor and husband ...