Obituaries

Middlesboro, KY Obituaries

Local Obituaries for Middlesboro & Bell County, KY

Charles Franklin "Frankie" Green

Charles Franklin "Frankie" Green

Jan 14, 2026

Charles Franklin "Frankie" Green, age 70, of Pineville, KY, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, surrounded by his loving family at North Knoxville Medical Center, Knoxville, TN. He was born in Pineville, KY, on October 2, 1955, to Charles "Monk" and Faye Helton Green, who preceded him in death.

Whether working or relaxing, Frankie was never far from the...

RB Murphy

RB Murphy

Jan 13, 2026

RB Murphy, age 73, of Middlesboro, KY, passed away at his home on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. He was born August 29, 1952, the beloved son of the late Henry and Lula Slusher Murphy.

RB was a member of Clearfork Baptist Church. He enjoyed a successful career as an HVAC technician, a profession he devoted forty years to mastering. Beyond his...

Johna Beth Hoskins

Johna Beth Hoskins

Jan 15, 2026

Johna Beth Hoskins, age 50, of Middlesboro, KY, entered her Heavenly home on Thursday, January 15, 2026. She was born in Pineville, KY to Patricia Snellings Hoskins and the late, Johnny Earl Hoskins. Johna enjoyed creating beautiful craft projects and hunting for hidden treasures at local yard sales. 

In addition to her father, Johna was preceded in death by her paternal...

Patsy Jean (Sheckels) Laws

Patsy Jean (Sheckels) Laws

Jan 13, 2026

Patsy Jean (Sheckels) Laws, age 86, of Knoxville, TN, passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. She was born August 20, 1939, the loving daughter of Milas Kendrick and Hester Minton Sheckels, both of whom preceded her in death.

Throughout her life, Patsy was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was a cherished...

James Clifton Leach

James Clifton Leach

Jan 2, 2026

James Clifton Leach, age 47, of Middlesboro, KY, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, January 2, 2026. He was born on June 18, 1978, the son of the late James Edward and Rosemary Shackelford Leach.

In addition to his parents, James was preceded in death by his brother, Danny Raney.

Left to cherish his memory are his son, Jeremiah Leach; life-partner,...

Slayter Holt Bussell

Slayter Holt Bussell

Dec 20, 2025

Slayter Holt Bussell of Middlesboro, KY, passed away on Saturday, December 20, 2025. Slayter was born on December 20, 2025, the infant son of Tyler Ashton Bussell and Savannah Grace Southerland.

Even though we didn’t know you very long, our love for you will never die.

Slayter was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Maria Hope Saylor; maternal great-grandfather, L.D. Saylor;...

Deborah "Debbie" Ann Evans

Deborah "Debbie" Ann Evans

Dec 17, 2025

Deborah “Debbie” Ann Evans, of Middlesboro, KY entered her Heavenly home on Wednesday, December 17, 2025. She was born in Middlesboro, KY, on December 31, 1957, to Ed and Alma Gilbert Allen, who preceded her in death. 

Debbie was known for her outgoing personality and great smile, which could light up a room. She loved animals, both her own and everybody...

Arnold Allen

Arnold Allen

Dec 8, 2025

Arnold Allen, age 80, of Middlesboro, KY, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 8, 2025, at Middlesboro ARH Hospital, Middlesboro, KY. He was born on December 10, 1944, in Middlesboro, KY, to W. Forster and Bessie Marsee Allen, who preceded him in death. 

Arnold was a man who valued hard work. When he did have free time, he enjoyed tinkering with...

Lucy Mae (Shackelford) Jones

Lucy Mae (Shackelford) Jones

Dec 4, 2025

Lucy Mae (Shackelford) Jones, age 95, of Botkins, OH, formerly of Middlesboro, KY, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 4, 2025. She was born on August 22, 1930, at home in Ferndale, KY, to Thomas and Bessie (Helton) Shackelford, who preceded her in death.

Lucy was known for her incredible green thumb. Her garden flourished under her attentive care, and her...

Beulah Lee Brewer

Beulah Lee Brewer

Nov 28, 2025

Beulah Lee Brewer, age 89, of Middlesboro, KY, entered her Heavenly home on Friday, November 28, 2025. She was born on April 10, 1936, in Middlesboro, KY, to Ulys and Sudie Wilder Ingram who preceded her in death.

Beulah lived a life caring for those around her. She loved to cook and never greeted anyone without asking, “Are you hungry?” or...

Lucy Underwood

Lucy Underwood

Nov 25, 2025

Lucy Underwood, age 101, of Middlesboro, KY, entered her Heavenly home on Tuesday, November 25, 2025. She was born on November 9, 1924, in Middlesboro, KY, to Joe and Ida Miracle Owens, who preceded her in death.

Lucy was a longtime member of Mt. Mary Baptist Church, Middlesboro, KY, who enjoyed singing in the church choir for as long as she...

Mary Cathern "Dink" Helton

Mary Cathern "Dink" Helton

Nov 25, 2025

Born on September 22nd, 1931, the daughter of the late Joe and Effie Napier, Mary Cathern “Dink” Helton lived a long, full, and beautiful life shaped by family, faith, service, and the places she loved most. She passed peacefully on November 25, 2025, in Pineville, Kentucky, surrounded by those who cherished her.

Raised in Pineville, Kentucky, as a young woman, she...

Jay Douglas Lake

Jay Douglas Lake

Nov 20, 2025

Jay Douglas Lake, age 70, of Middlesboro, KY, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at his home. He was born on February 3, 1955, in Middlesboro, KY, to Forrester and Fannie Lake, who preceded him in death. 

Jay loved heading into the surrounding mountains to enjoy the peacefulness they offered while hoping for a chance to feed the wild...

Earnest Ausmus

Earnest Ausmus

Nov 12, 2025

On the autumn evening of Wednesday, November 12, 2025, Mr. Earnest Ausmus, of Harrogate, Tennessee, finished his earthly race and was called to his eternal home to be with the Lord. He was surrounded by his loving family during his peaceful crossing.

Earnest Ausmus was born September 20, 1940, in Claiborne County, Tennessee to Mr. & Mrs. Cliva and Norie Ausmus; both...

Veronica Bernice Ramsey

Veronica Bernice Ramsey

Nov 11, 2025

Veronica Bernice Ramsey, age 54, of Harrogate, TN, went home peacefully to be with the Lord, on Tuesday morning, November 11, 2025, while surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Middlesboro, KY, on July 10, 1971, the daughter of Vernon and Trula Bean Davis, who survive.

In addition to her parents, she is survived by her husband of 26...

Joyce Reed

Joyce Reed

Nov 7, 2025

Joyce Reed, age 89, of Clairfield, TN, entered her Heavenly home on Friday, November 7, 2025. She was born in Norley, KY, on April 4, 1936, to the late Shelby and Ella Nelly Calhoun. Joyce attended the Fonde Church of God Mountain Assembly.

In addition to her parents, Joyce was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, George Reed,...

Helen Ruth Hobbs

Helen Ruth Hobbs

Nov 6, 2025

Helen Ruth Hyden Hobbs, age 78, of Jonesville, VA, passed away peacefully in Middlesboro, KY, in the care of her daughter-in-law, Gena, on Thursday, November 6, 2025. She was born September 29, 1947, the cherished daughter of the late Bascom and Fannie (Ely) Hyden.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her great niece, Hallie Elizabeth Hobbs.

Helen’s...

Minnie Lee Thomas

Minnie Lee Thomas

Oct 30, 2025

Minnie Lee Thomas, age 94, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, October 30, 2025. She was born on December 5, 1930, to the late Roscoe and Nealie Owens Earl. 

In addition to her parents, Minnie was preceded in death by her loving husband of 56 years, Jakie Thomas, Sr.; three sons, Jerry Thomas, David Thomas, and Danny...

Dr. John Crawford Irvine

Dr. John Crawford Irvine

Oct 26, 2025

Dr. John Crawford Irvine, Ph.D., age 82, of Harrogate, TN, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, October 26, 2025. He was known by many in the community for his tenure at Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, TN, and his popular stage productions attended by both locals and others from surrounding areas.

Born in Memphis, TN, on May 27, 1943, to the...

Jessie Lee Davis

Jessie Lee Davis

Oct 21, 2025

Jessie Lee Davis, age 45, of Middlesboro, KY, passed away on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. He was born in Middlesboro, KY, on January 12, 1980, the son of Stephanie Goodwin Minor and Bobby Gene Davis who preceded him in death.

Jessie is remembered by many as a treasured member of his family. In addition to his mother, Jessie is survived by...

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