Category: Obituaries

Emma Darlene Brown Lester, age 65, met her Savior face to face Saturday, August 28, 2021, at the Baptist Health Hospital in Lexington, KY. Born on September 21, 1955, to Cecil and Virginia Saylor Brown, Darlene and her sister, Kris, were Harlan County born and raised. As a teenager, attending Cawood High School, she met and fell in love with a young man named Bruce, who was the love of her life. On July 8, 1974, the two were married. That love spanned 47 years and produced four children, Casey, Laura, Ashley Kristen, and Clint, all who were their parents’ pride and joy.

Darlene worked many years for, and retired from, the Harlan Independent School District as a secretary. If anyone wanted anything done at the school, Darlene was the person they called. She was always willing to help wherever she was needed. She always had smile, a kind word to say, or a prayer to offer to those she came in contact with. She had a servant’s heart and was generous with her time, money, and love. Family meant everything to Darlene. While Darlene was her birth name, her favorite names were Mom and eventually, Gram, a name given to her with the arrival of her four grandchildren, Cameron, Caden, Ella, and Emmalyn. Her Pentecostal faith, family, and helping others took top priority in her life.

Darlene is preceded in death by her parents, Cecil and Jenny, as well as daughter, Ashley Kristen. She is survived by her loving husband, Bruce; her three children and their spouses, Casey and Kristin Lester, of Harlan, Laura and Wes Chitwood, of Lexington, and Clint and Janel Lester, also of Lexington; four grandchildren, Cameron, Caden, Ella, and Emmalyn; as well as a host of family and dear friends.

Visitation for Darlene will be Tuesday, August 31, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm at the Harlan Funeral Home with the funeral following at 7:00pm, with Pastor Josh Doyle officiating. A private graveside service will be held at the Harlan County Memorial Gardens, with Eddie Estep officiating.

TO KNOW HER WAS TO LOVE HER.

Winston Hubert Stanton, 79 of Kildav, KY passed away on Friday morning of August 27, 2021 at his home following a brief illness.
Winston was born June 16, 1942 to the late Jess and Rebecca Sergent Stanton; besides his parents he was preceded in death by his brothers, Marvin and Omar Stanton; his sister, Ruby Young.
He is survived by his sons, Christopher and Robert Stanton of Lafayette, IN; best friend and caregiver, Johnny Anderson and his children who was like grandchildren to Winston, Haylee Risner, Jacob Anderson and Morgan Anderson;  brothers, Clarence Stanton and Paris Stanton; sisters, Margaret Parker and Ester Parker; good friend, Tom King. He leaves a host of other relatives and friends to mourn his passing.
In keeping with Winston’s wishes, Cremation was performed by the Anderson-Laws & Jones Funeral Home and there will be no services.

 

 

 

Susan Gail Saylor, of Harlan, Kentucky, passed away with family by her side on Friday morning of August 27th in Lexington, KY.

Susan was born on August 7th, 1946 to the late Bernelle (Taylor) and Paul Saylor in Harlan and was the oldest of three daughters. She was a graduate of Harlan High School (class of ’64) where she was crowned Football Homecoming Queen. Susan attended college at Lindenwood College in Saint Charles, Missouri.

Susan’s adult life was spent loving, caring for, and enjoying her mother, many nieces and nephews, and great nieces/nephews. She was a lifelong member of Harlan Baptist Church where she was baptized into the faith at a young age. She was a member of the Women’s Missionary Union where she served as treasurer several times, as well as a part of the Christian Menders. Susan was also a friend of Bill W. for many years. Susan enjoyed cooking and baking which provided a place of gathering for her family for years. She was always up for an afternoon movie, a game of cards, shopping, a trip out of town, or a late night cup of hot tea. On any given beautiful day, Susan and her mother, Bernelle, could be seen sitting on their front porch, in downtown Harlan, welcoming a friend or family members to join them for a visit. For those who knew her well, Susan’s unpredicted humor and friendship will provide lifelong laughs and warm memories.

Susan was preceded in death by her mother and father; survived by her two sisters, Marsha Greer (Elmo) of London, KY and Paula Davis (Shawn) of Lexington, KY; nieces and nephews, including Whitney Greer, Sarah Mizuguchi (Nana), JR Greer, Kaitlyn Lacy (Lance), Cecelia Carroll (Will), Megan Whitfield (Jesse), Elise Irvin (Barry), Camille Tucker (Austin), and Hunter Davis (Kira); 26 beloved great-nieces and nephews; and a dear family friend, Marie Fields. Spending time and visiting with family and friends brought Susan great joy, but her great-nieces and nephews were especially a source of comfort and happiness for her. Her endearing nicknames, like Bunky, Chubby Cheeks, and Chicken Ass, to name a few, as well as her colorful personality, contagious laugh, and love of jokes—especially ones that embarrassed her mother—will long live in our memories and hearts.

Susan taught those she loved to slow down, be present, pick up the phone, send the card, and tightly hug your loved ones.

Visitation will be 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Thursday, September 2, 2021 at the Anderson-Laws & Jones Funeral Home, 114 S. 3rd Street, Harlan, KY 40831.  Graveside services will follow at 2:30 pm at the Resthaven Cemetery Chapel in Keith, KY with Rev. Jon Dickenson officiating.

Burial will follow in the Resthaven Cemetery with J.R. Greer, Hunter Davis, Will Carroll, Jesse Whitfield, Barry Irvin, Austin Tucker, and Nana Mizuguchi serving as Pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers the family suggest memorials be made to the Harlan Baptist Church, PO Box 883, Harlan, KY 40831 in memory of Susan.

Theren “TJ” White, 41 of Wallins, KY, passed away on Friday August 27, 2021, at Harlan ARH. He was born on December 31, 1979, in Aurora, Colorado to the late Dickie Royce White and Francis Schmidt White. TJ was a Veteran of the United States Army, an employee for General Dynamic Information Tech in Barbourville, KY, and a member of the Harlan Christian Church. TJ was known for his fun personality and made sure everyone around him had fun. He was a loving husband and father, and a die-hard Colorado Avalanche fan.

Other than his parents, he is preceded in death by his sister, Renata Brynn White.

Those left to cherish his memories, are his loving wife, Amber White, and his two children, Zoie Wilson, and Zane White. A host of relatives and friends also survive.

Funeral services will be held on Monday August 30, 2021, at 6 PM in the Chapel of the Henson and Rich Funeral Home with the Rev. David Johnson and Rev. Chris Wheeler officiating and Military Honors by the Harlan County Honor Guard.

Visitation will also be on Monday from 4-6 PM at the funeral home.

Ray Bird, 88, of Wallins went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, August 26, 2021, at his residence with his family by his side. Born December 30, 1932 in Harlan County, Ray retired from the U.S. Air Force as a Master Sergeant after 22 years in the communications squadron.  He traveled throughout Germany, Iceland to the Azores, and many of the United States in between with five children in tow whenever possible.  He managed the NCO Club in Alaska during his off time.  He always sponsored younger men in the Air Force, bringing them home for dinner and hauling them ice fishing in Michigan or deep sea fishing in the Azores.  He was respected by all who met him.  Ray stayed active after his retirement from the military managing the Sears in Whitesburg before retiring from there after 18 years.  Ray was on the Board at Pine Mountain Settlement School where he attended as a boy and graduated from in 1949.  A member of the Wallins Church of God, he was active in the church helping with building projects and outreach, Ray helped many people over the years taking them to doctor appointments and getting groceries for them. Ray loved his grandchildren and they loved their Pap.

He was preceded by his parents, Cephus Bird and Nollie Garrison Bird; two children, Robert Bird and Doug Bird; several brothers and sisters, Gertie, Viola, Buster, Cleophus, Thomas, Shelby, Charlie, Effie, Lorene, Clara, Fred, Mildred, Mary Ruth, Ted, Wyvonne and Joe Bird.

Ray is survived by his wife, Sharon Elizabeth Calloway Bird, Wallins; three children, Amelia Templeton and husband, Jeff, Texas; Mitchell Bird and wife, Michelle, Memphis, TN; Gary Bird and wife, Melody, Perryville, KY; three step-children, Renee Blanton and husband, Deron, Wallins; Angie Boggs and husband, Jered, Wallins; and Donnie Haywood and wife, Maggie, Bledsoe, KY; two daughters-in-law, Melody Bird, Perryville, KY and Sue Bird, Cumberland. Also surviving are 14 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and a host of special friends and hunting buddies.

Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, August 29, 2021, in the chapel of the Harlan Funeral Home with funeral services starting at 3 p.m. with the Reverend Buddy Simpson officiating.

Burial will be in the Monte Vista Cemetery at Cumberland with military rites by the Harlan Honor Guard.  His grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

Harlan Funeral Home is in charge of his arrangements.