Obituaries 7-1-22

Michael Estep

Michael Allen Estep, of Ragland, died Wednesday, June 22, 2022.

He was born in Logan, Aug. 29, 1986.

Michael was a 2005 graduate of Burch High School. He was a member of the Williamson Area Church of Christ. He worked for Mayne Framing Company in Huntington and he loved his job.

Michael was such a kind-hearted person. He enjoyed spending time with his family and his dog, Gracie. He was a talented musician and a jack-of-all-trades. He loved to joke around and always knew how to make you smile.

He is survived by and greatly missed by his parents, Donnie and Tammy Estep; his sister and brother-in-law, Kimberly Estep Picklesimer and Mike Picklesimer; his grandmother, Mildred Blankenship; and many other friends and family members.

Private services will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of the Chafin Funeral Home of Delbarton.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests you make a memorial contribution to the Williamson Area Church of Christ Missions Fund.

The guestbook may be signed at www.chafinfuneralhome.com.

Linda Ferguson

Linda Brooke Ferguson, 78, of Kermit, died Thursday, June 23, 2022, at Pikeville Medical Center in Pikeville, Kentucky.

She was born in Louisa, Ky., June 13, 1944, a daughter of the late Chester and Augustus Webb Smith.

She was a homemaker and a Christian.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Ferguson; great-granddaughter, Ellie Bryant; and three siblings, June Randall Smith, Ermal Smith and Henry Smith.

She is survived by her children; Chris Ferguson (Samantha), of Ft. Gay, Rhonda Thompson (Joe), of Ft. Gay, Michael Ferguson (Amanda), of Ashtabula, Ohio, Lila Ferguson (Molly), of Indiana, Lesa Warrix (Allen), of Kermit, Megan Block (Todd), of Ft. Gay, and Keisha Henderson (Grant), of Warren, Ohio; 12 grandchildren, Tosha Ferguson, Shelby Eaves (Bret), Brandon Ferguson, Bradley Ferguson, Gladys Ferguson, Camron Ferguson, Breanna Bryant (Dakota), Elizabeth Prater, Skyler Prater, Abri Warrix, Gary Raines and Kelsey Block; nine great-grandchildren, Mikey Ferguson, Zach Ferguson, Mason Eaves, Aiden Eaves, Taylor Eaves, Emma Bryant, Everlee Bryant, Abigail Raines and Roland Thompson; and several nieces, nephews, friends and family.

Funeral services were held at 1 p.m., Monday, June 27, 2022, at the Mullins Family Funeral Home with Mack Ray Cyrus officiating. Burial followed at the Pratt Cemetery, Radnor. Arrangements were under the direction of the Mullins Family Funeral Home of Warfield, Kentucky.

The guestbook may be signed at www.mullinsfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Ester Hunt

Ester Mae Hunt, 100, of Williamson, died Monday, June 20, 2022, at her residence.

Ester was born in Zebulon, Dec. 29,1921, the daughter of the late Millard Maynard and Zella Scott Maynard.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one son, Marvin Hunt and her siblings, Lonnie Malin, Elsie Pinson, Henry Maynard and Charles Maynard.

Ester lived a long, good life having worked and retired as a telephone operator. She loved quilting, crocheting and attending the Moose Lodge. She was a member of the Williamson Methodist Church.

She is survived by her children, Robert Miser (Kathy), of Lexington, Ky., and Margaret Drusilla Hunt, of Williamson; one daughter-in-law, Lorraine Hunt, of Meta; one sister, Alice Maynard, of Port St. Lucie, Fla.; four grandchildren, Edward Hunt (Tresa), of Versailles, Ky., Eric Hunt (Jenny), of Kodak, Tenn., Glenna Williams  (Johnny), of Kimper, Ky., and Robin Oliver (Tom), of Madeira Beach, Fla.; 12 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; and many other family and friends.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of the R.E. Rogers Funeral Home of Belfry.

The guestbook may be signed at www.rerogersfh.com.

Shirley Jarrell

Shirley Ann Jarrell, 85, of LaFollette, Tenn., formerly of Williamson, died Wednesday, June 22, 2022, in the Methodist Medical Center, Oak Ridge, Tenn., surrounded by her daughter, Patty, and niece, Vickie Urban.  

Shirley was born in Williamson, Dec. 21, 1936, the daughter of the late Harry Joe Urban and Lillian Ione Wills Urban.  

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Jarrell; they were married 50 years before his passing. They had one daughter, Patricia "Patty" Runyon (Michael), of LaFollette, Tennessee.  

Shirley was a retired cook with the Mingo County Board of Education. She was a member of the Little Dove United Baptist Church. After moving to Tennessee to be with her daughter, she attended Elm Grove Baptist, LaFollette, Tennessee. She was a devoted Christian always working in the church and attending church functions. She was always willing to help others.

Shirley loved her family especially her grandchildren, Stephen Runyon (April), of LaFollette, Tenn.; and her two great-granddaughters, Caitlin and Cambry Runyon, whom she loved very much. She was loved and cherished by family and friends and loved spending time with them. She had many friends in both West Virginia and Tennessee, her most devoted being, Lois Holland, of LaFollette, Tennessee. She enjoyed gardening, planting her flowers and loved to cook more than anything.

She was also preceded in death by her siblings, Billy, Lester, Jackie, Richard, George, Douglas, Terry, Bobby, Danny, Peggy Sue and Ione Urban and Julia Hundley; as well as her little dog, Anna Belle, who died two years ago.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., Sunday, June 26, 2022, in the R.E. Rogers Funeral Home chapel with Jimmy Maynard officiating. Burial followed at Mountain View Memory Gardens, Maher, with her family and friends serving as pallbearers. Arrangements were under the direction of the R.E. Rogers Funeral Home of Belfry.

The guestbook may be signed at www.rerogersfh.com.

Paul Kennedy

Paul Edward Kennedy, 68, of White Pine, Tenn., formerly of Meador, died Monday, June 27, 2022, at Morristown-Hamblen Healthcare.

He was born in Meador, July 30, 1953, a son of the late Wade and Elizabeth (Lester) Kennedy.

Paul is survived by his wife, Deby (Collins) Kennedy; two stepsons, Robbie and Karen Sipple and Nic and Shirley Sipple; seven grandchildren, Cody, Chelsee, Sid, Cheyenne, Nicholas, Galatea and Gracie Sipple; two great-grandchildren, Journey and Axton Layne; two sisters, Mary Kennedy and Lusiel; one brother, Bo; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Other survivors include brothers and sisters-in-law, Butch and Nancy Collins and Frankie and Pauline Collins. He loved and appreciated them all very, very much.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to Timmy Kennedy for always being there.  

Eddie loved cars, friends and family. He wanted everyone to know he loved them and wanted them to be happy. He loved to tell his life stories and watch Western movies. He always had “Nana’s” coffee ready for her. Eddie was the most selfless man you would ever meet and changed many lives for the better.

Eddie will truly be missed and will never be forgotten. “We all love you, Eddie!”

Hebrews 11:6 KJV: But without faith it is impossible to please Him; for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

Arrangements are under the direction of Chambers Funeral Services, Inc., of Matewan.

The guestbook may be signed at www.chambersfuneralservices.com.

Opal Thacker

Opal Thacker, 89, a resident of Trinity Healthcare Services in Williamson, died Monday, June 27, 2022, at Tug Valley ARH Regional Medical Center, South Williamson, Kentucky.

She was born in Beech Creek, June 3, 1933, a daughter of the late Harold and Emma (Thompson) Blankenship.

Opal, a member of the Ben Creek Church of Christ, was first and foremost a Christian. Her Christ like demeanor manifested itself in her kindness towards others. She was a precious mother and aunt and was loved by family and friends alike. She retired after 20 plus years having worked in the cafeteria of the Cabell Huntington Hospital in Huntington. She was familiar with all jobs within the cafeteria from dishwasher to cook, if it needed done, Opal was willing to get the job completed. Upon retirement from the cafeteria, she worked at the Buffalo Senior Citizens Center.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Orville Thacker; her brother, Billy Ray Blankenship; her sisters, Ila Cisco and Estalene Jones; and her brothers-in-law, Thomas Estepp and Cletis Smith.

She is survived by her sons, Jackie Lewis Harrington and Farris Gene Harrington, both of Huntington; her sisters, Ruth Estepp and Judy Kennedy (Edward), both of Beech Creek, Betty J. Smith, of Mate Creek, Dorothy Fitch, of Piqua, Ohio, Ernestine Clemons and special brother-in-law, Gene, of Hardy, Ky.; her brother, J.P. Blankenship (Lois), of Beech Creek; her sisters-in-law, Lois Gene Blankenship and Phyllis Blankenship; her grandchildren, Joy Dawn Christian and Farris Gene Harrington Jr.; a special friend, Patty Lewis; and a host of nieces, nephews, loved ones and friends.

She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Honoring services were held at 1 p.m., Thursday, June 30, 2022, in the Chambers Funeral Services chapel with Bro. Gene Clemons officiating. Burial followed at the Blankenship Family Cemetery, Beech Creek, with nephews and friends serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were Brian Hatfield and Eric Estepp. Arrangements were under the direction of Chambers Funeral Services, Inc., of Matewan.

The guestbook may be signed at www.chambersfuneralservices.com.