Cox & Son Funeral Home

10/12/2024

Cox & Son Funeral Home
Serving families in East Tennessee & Southeast Kentucky since 1910
Mr. Ryan Zachary Dilbeck – Obituary



Ryan Zachary Dilbeck, age 31, of Jellico, Tennessee, passed away Friday morning, October 11, 2024, at his home.

He was born on May 27, 1993, to Von Dilbeck and Sonya (Allen) Dilbeck Lawless, who survive.

He was a graduate of Jellico High School – Class of 2011. He was a member of Crouches Creek Baptist Church. He loved the outdoors - especially hunting and fishing.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Larry Dilbeck and Carolyn Dilbeck and his maternal grandmother, Shirley (Carroll) Allen Lawson.

He is survived by his son, Gannon Dilbeck, of Jellico; father, Von Dilbeck, and wife, MacKenzie, of Corbin, Kentucky; mother, Sonya (Allen) Lawless, and husband, Tony, of Jellico; two sisters, Mikayla (Dilbeck) Rountree, and husband, Isaac, of Jellico, and Madison Dilbeck, of Williamsburg, KY; grandfather, Glenn Lawson, of Jellico;
Ryan is survived by two great-great uncles, Tommy McDeerman, of Jacksboro, TN, and Dorsey Fraboot, of Ocala, Florida; great great-aunt, Betty (Delk) McClanahan, of Jellico; great-uncle, Jimmy Ray Carroll, and wife, Sandy, of Mansfield, Ohio; two aunts, Tenille (Dilbeck) Kennedy, and husband, Terry, of the Vasper Community of Campbell County, TN, and Jackie (Allen) Davis, and husband, Ralph, of Jellico; two uncles, Ron Dilbeck, and wife, Naomi, of the Vasper Community, and Darrell Lawson, and wife, Ellen, of Andersonville, TN; seven first cousins, MacKenzie (Dilbeck) Justice, and husband, Landon, Alison Kennedy, Logan Kennedy, Scott Davis, and wife, Amy, Summer Kidd, and husband, Brandon, Cameron Lawson, and Colton Lawson; and a host of friends, neighbors, and other relatives to mourn his passing.
At the request of the family, all services will be private for family members and close friends of the family.
Cox & Son Funeral Home of Jellico is in charge of all arrangements.
“Serving families in East Tennessee and Southeast Kentucky since 1910”

10/12/2024

Cox & Son Funeral Home
Serving families in East Tennessee & Southeast Kentucky since 1910

Mrs. Irma Sue (Petrey) Clifton – Obituary



Irma Sue Petrey Clifton went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, October 8th, in

Athens, Georgia.

Irma was born to James Ardell Petrey and Thelma Adkins Petrey on June 28,

1940, in Jellico, Tennessee, their fifth child and fourth daughter. She was a

1958 graduate of Jellico High School, where she was a member of the

marching band, Homecoming queen her junior year, and recipient of the

Daughters of the American Revolution citizenship award at graduation.

She attended Cumberland College (now University of the Cumberlands) in

Williamsburg, Kentucky, majoring in biology and minoring in chemistry. At

Cumberland, she again appeared on the homecoming court and was also the

unofficial “Jellico taxi” for many of her fellow commuters. She followed

college with a year’s demanding clinical training as a lab technician at Norton

Infirmary in Louisville, KY.

After a few years in hospital settings, however, Irma switched to teaching

and taught for a total of 36 years in Ohio (in the 1960’s and again in the early

2000’s), Tennessee (the longest, from which she retired), and Georgia (for

two years after retirement). Jokingly describing herself as a jack of all trades,

over the years she taught high school and middle school science and math,

elementary second and third grade, chorus, and once (her least favorite) PE.

In 1985, she was in the first cohort to undergo the exam and observations

and became a certified master teacher under the education reforms of then-

governor of Tennessee Lamar Alexander. Along the way, she earned two

graduate degrees, one in health education from Union College in

Barbourville, KY, and the other from Cumberland in elementary education, as

well as pursuing additional coursework at East Tennessee State University.

She also taught evening GED classes for several years.

A lifelong Baptist and a talented musician, Irma sang in the choir as a

teenager at Jellico First Baptist, and later played the piano and then organ

there for several decades; she played regularly for Sunday morning and

evening services, adult and children’s choir practices, Wednesday evening

services, and Tuesday outreach services at a local retirement community. She

was also asked to play for scores of weddings, funerals, and school

programs over the years.

Irma’s hobbies included working crosswords, cryptograms, and jumble

puzzles; reading and watching true crime, biographies, and memoirs; and

listening to classical, religious, and popular music. She was very happy in her

final years that her assisted living facility had a piano, and she continued to

play and accompany her fellow residents in singing up until only a few

weeks before her death.

In addition to her parents, Irma is preceded in death by sister Patsy Petrey of

Jellico; brother, Joseph Petrey of Dearborn, Michigan; sister Peggy Petrey

Russell of Maryville, Indiana; sister Lula Petrey Bush of Pekin, Indiana; niece,

Jennifer Bush Foster, of Salem, Indiana; and two sisters who died in infancy.

Irma is survived by her daughter, Kasee Clifton Laster, of Statham, Georgia;

her son-in-law Jonathan Laster of Statham; the absolute delights of her life,

her granddaughters Georgia Ann Laster and Julia Erin Laster, of Statham; of

Statham; nephews Greg Russell and wife Cubby of Portage, Indiana, and

Mickey Petrey of Michigan; numerous grandnieces and grandnephews and

great-grand nieces and nephews; and many friends and colleagues from her

teaching days.

A graveside service will take place on Monday, October 14, 2024 at Auburn

City Cemetery, starting at 2:00 PM. The family will receive friends from 10:00

AM to 12:00 PM at Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, West, Watkinsville

prior to the service.

Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, West, Watkinsville, GA., is in charge of

arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com

This obituary is a courtesy of the Cox & Son Funeral Home of Jellico.

“Serving families in East Tennessee and Southeast Kentucky since 1910”

Lord & Stephens Funeral Homes provides complete funeral services in Athens, GA. Call us today for pre-planning or custom planning options.

09/30/2024

Cox & Son Funeral Home
Serving families in East Tennessee & Southeast Kentucky since 1910

Mrs. Rhonda L. (Claxton) Potter Wilson – Obituary



Rhonda L. (Claxton) Potter Wilson, age 58, of Jellico, Tennessee, passed away Sunday morning, September 29, 2024, at her home, surrounded by her family.

She was born on December 23, 1965, to the late Kenneth Wayne Claxton and Iva Sue (Downs) Claxton in Jellico. She was the granddaughter of the late Virgil B. Claxton and Lillian Margie (Little) Claxton and John Woodrow Downs and Icey Elizabeth (Owens) Downs.

She was a graduate of Whitley County High School – Class of 1983. She was a long-time member of Crouches Creek Baptist Church.

In addition to her parents and grandparents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Alva S. Potter, Jr. and brother, Kenneth Ray “Quack” Claxton.

She is survived by her husband, Michael B. Wilson, of Jellico; daughter, Amber N. (Barton) Marshall and husband, Matthew, of Caryville; son, Jared R. Potter, and wife, Sarah, and two grandsons, Jase Potter and Brooks Potter, all of Jellico; and two sisters, Renea (Claxton) Harrison, of Jellico, and Angel (Bray) Clayton, of the Kentucky Hill Community of Whitley County.

Rhonda is also survived by a stepson, Brian Potter, of Corbin, KY; two step-daughters, Ashley (Potter) Taylor, and husband, Aaron, of Williamsburg, KY, and Faith (Wilson) Marlow, and husband, Scottie, of Powell; six step-grandchildren, Trae Potter, Bryson Potter, and Chaseton Potter, Aaden Taylor and Ava Taylor, and Avery Marlow; aunt, Jackie Lewis; two uncles, Johnny Downs, and wife, Margaret and Gary Downs, and wife, Joyce; three sisters-in-law, Marie Jackson Douglas, and husband, Donnie, Gail Angel Bullman, and husband, Ken, and Jeanie Manning; mother-in-law, Nancy Reckner; of Jellico; father-in-law, Rev. Bobby Wilson, and wife, Janice, of Lakeland, Florida; numerous nieces and nephews, her church family at Crouches Creek Baptist Church, and a host of friends, neighbors, and other relatives to mourn her passing.

The family will receive friends for visitation on Wednesday evening, October 2, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Crouches Church Baptist Church.
The funeral will immediately follow on Wednesday evening, October 2, 2024, at 8:00 p.m. at the Crouches Creek Baptist Church with the Rev. Trey Brock and Rev. Jared Potter officiating.
Special music will be provided by Mrs. Regina Williams, Mrs. Taylor Lee, Bro. Corey Rountree, and the Crouches Creek Baptist Church Choir.
Graveside service and interment will follow on Thursday, October 3, 2024, at 12:00 noon in the Douglas Cemetery. Anyone who desires to go in procession to Douglas Cemetery should be at Crouches Creek Baptist Church on Thursday morning, October 3, 2024, at 11:15 a.m.
Cox & Son Funeral Home of Jellico is in charge of all arrangements.
“Serving families in East Tennessee and Southeast Kentucky since 1910”

09/24/2024

Cox & Son Funeral Home
Serving families in East Tennessee & Southeast Kentucky since 1910

Mr. Arthur Clark Duncan, Jr. – Obituary


Arthur Clark Duncan, Jr., age 88, of Powell, Tennessee, formerly of Williamsburg, Kentucky, passed away Sunday evening, September 22, 2024, at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center in Knoxville, TN.
He was born on December 28, 1935, to the late Arthur Clark Duncan, Sr. and Wilsie Oakley (Nunley) Duncan in Harlan, KY. He was the grandson of the late Edward Clark Duncan and Susan Jane (Harris) Duncan.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Faye Duncan; son, Steven Clark Duncan; and sister, Annette (Duncan) Wallace Fuller Kohen.
He is survived by his daughter, Sandra Meadows, and husband, Sherman, of Powell, TN; sister, Mary (Duncan) Parker, of Kentucky; brother, Jerry Fisher, of Indiana, and a host of friends, neighbors, and other relatives to mourn his passing.
The family will receive friends for visitation on Thursday afternoon, September 26, 2024, from 12:00 noon until 2:00 p.m. at the Crouches Church Baptist Church located at 1518 Fifth Street in Jellico, TN.
The funeral will immediately follow on Thursday afternoon, September 26, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at the Crouches Creek Baptist Church with the Rev. Jeff Sizemore officiating.
Military Graveside Honors will be conducted by the Jellico Honor Guard following the funeral at the Young’s Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.
Graveside service and interment will immediately follow.
Cox & Son Funeral Home of Jellico is in charge of all arrangements.
“Serving families in East Tennessee and Southeast Kentucky since 1910”

09/05/2024

Cox & Son Funeral Home

Serving families in East Tennessee & Southeast Kentucky since 1910

Mr. John Eugene Clifton – Obituary

John Eugene Clifton, age 86, of Jellico, Tennessee, entered into eternal rest on August 30, 2024, surrounded by his family, at the Beech Tree Post Acute and Rehabilitation Center in Jellico, after a long period of declining health.

He was born on January 25, 1938, in Jellico to the late Clyde Harvey Clifton and Anna Mae (Kasee) Clifton. He was the grandson of the late Harvey Clifton and Molly Clifton and the late John Kasee and Mary Kasee. He was a long-time member of the First Baptist Church of Jellico.

Anyone who knew Mr. Clifton could attest that he was blessed to have an encyclopedic knowledge of just about any subject that one could imagine. In addition, he was very patriotic and civic-minded. He proudly served on the Jellico Area Veterans Committee that lead the effort to erect the very impressive Veterans Memorial which now stands in the Jellico Veterans Park.

Mr. Clifton was also a huge supporter of University of Tennessee Athletics. He worked closely with Coach Bill Battle during his time at UT.

Mr. Clifton was one of the founders of the Jellico High School Alumni Association which has held annual homecomings every year since its beginning in 1986. He was a Jellico High School Alumni Association Honoree in 2020.

Mr. Clifton, as he was affectionately known to countless students, attended Jellico Elementary School and Jellico High School where he graduated at the top of his Class of 1956.

Shortly thereafter, he enrolled at Cumberland College, but before finishing, he was drafted into the United States Army where he proudly served his country for three years.

After his discharge from the U. S. Army, he joined the Tennessee National Guard Reserve from which he retired after 11 years of dedicated service.

Ultimately, he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education from Cumberland College. Later, he finished a Master of Arts Degree in Education from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. He also did post-graduate work at Union College where he also later taught classes.

He was employed by the Campbell County School System from 1960 until his retirement in 1995 where he served mostly as Jellico High School Principal but also as the Jellico Elementary Principal for three years.

During his “retirement,” he was hired by the Whitley County (KY) Board of Education to be the Boston Elementary School Principal, and later, the Whitley East Principal, which was formerly known as Poplar Creek Elementary.

Additionally, he was elected Mayor of Jellico in 1998, where he served two terms.

In addition to his parents and grandparents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Clarence Clifton, and two sisters, Mary Margaret (Clifton) Elswick and Wilma Sue (Clifton) Rogers; infant brother and sister, Betty Jean and Harry Lee; and grandson, Fisher Wayne Barton.

He is survived by his beloved wife of more than 20 years, Jenny Ruth (Bryant) Clifton, of Jellico; daughter, Kasee (Clifton) Laster, and husband, Jonathan, and two granddaughters, Georgia Laster and Julia Laster, all of Statham, Georgia; two nieces, Jamie Sue Jarvis, of Westchester, OH, and Lisa (Brown) Spence, and husband, Troy, of Cincinnati, Ohio; and nephew, Benny Brown, and wife, Sharon, of Cincinnati, OH.

Mr. Clifton is also survived by two step-daughters, Kimberly (Maiden) Bryant, of Knoxville, TN and Deana Rae (Maiden) Barton, and husband, Wayne, of the High Cliff Community of Jellico; five step-grandchildren, Michael Ray Culver, and wife, Aubren, Jeni Ann (Culver) Keene, and husband, Josh, Ashli Culver, Raeanne (Barton) Hinkle, and husband, Justin, and Grace (Barton) Rountree, and husband, Corey; four step great-grandchildren, brother-in-law, Keith Silvey, and wife, Suzanne, of Silver Lake, OH; his beloved and devoted Labrador, Buttercup, aka “Geraldine,” and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews; and countless former students, colleagues, friends, neighbors, and relatives to mourn his passing.

The family will receive friends for visitation on Wednesday evening, September 4, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Jellico.

The funeral will immediately follow on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Jellico with Dr. Bob Dunston and the Rev. E. Wayne Barton, II, officiating.

Military Honors will be conducted by the Jellico Honor Guard on Thursday morning, September 5, 2024, beginning at 11:00 a.m. at the Jellico Cemetery.
Graveside service and interment will immediately follow.

Pallbearers will be Danny “Dino” Oakes, Mike Reynolds, David Miller, Michael Ray Culver, Mike Culver, Wayne Barton, and Jonathan Laster. Honorary pallbearer will be Bobby Teague.

Cox & Son Funeral Home of Jellico is in charge of all arrangements.

“Serving families in East Tennessee and Southeast Kentucky since 1910”

07/26/2024

Hall Obituary

07/25/2024

Cox & Son Funeral Home
Serving families in East Tennessee & Southeast Kentucky since 1910
Mrs. Clarcie Evelyn (Lowe) Hall – Obituary

Clarcie Evelyn (Lowe) Hall, age 92, of Jellico, Tennessee, formerly of Clairfield, TN, passed away early Monday morning, July 22, 2024, at her home.
She was born to the late Lewis Lowe and Lillie (King) Lowe on May 27, 1932, in Clairfield, TN. She was a long-time member of the Rock Creek United Baptist Church.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Junior Ed Hall; her son, Bobby Joe Hall, Sr.; infant great-grandson, Ragnar Niklaus Hall; five sisters, Susie Osborne, Gracie King, Pearl Pennington, Imogene King, and Nora Pilford; two brothers, Dave Lowe and Frank Lowe; three brothers-in-law, Carl “R. B.” Hall, Joe Hall, and Roy Hall; two sisters-in-law, Bertha (Hall) Rhodes and Juanita Hall; two infant brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; three sons-in-law, Eugene Parker, Mike Marlow, and Wayne Marlow; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, James (Jim) Hall and Mary Frannie (Reynolds) Hall.
She is survived by six children, Judy (Hall) Parker, of Paw Paw, Illinois, Betty (Hall) Marlow, of Duff, TN, Gary Hall, of Jellico, Janice (Hall) King, of Jellico, TN, Gail (Hall) Marlow, of Duff, and Mickey Hall, and wife, Amanda, of Jellico; 15 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; former son-in-law, Able Cardoza; former daughter-in-law, Cathy (Leach) Hall Serrano; daughter-in-law, Sherry Siler Hall Osborne; care-giver and dear friend, Denice Lane; and a host of friends, neighbors, and other relatives to mourn her passing.
The graveside service and interment will be held on Thursday afternoon, July 25, 2024, beginning at 1:00 p.m. at the Clairfield Baptist Church Cemetery with the Rev. Dennis “Cotton” Pittman officiating.
Cox & Son Funeral Home of Jellico is in charge of all arrangements.
“Serving families in East Tennessee and Southeast Kentucky since 1910”

07/23/2024

Cox & Son Funeral Home
Serving families in East Tennessee & Southeast Kentucky since 1910
Mrs. Clarcie Evelyn (Lowe) Hall – Obituary

Clarcie Evelyn (Lowe) Hall, age 92, of Jellico, Tennessee, formerly of Clairfield, TN, passed away early Monday morning, July 22, 2024, at her home.
She was born to the late Lewis Lowe and Lillie (King) Lowe on May 27, 1932, in Clairfield, TN. She was a long-time member of the Rock Creek United Baptist Church.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Junior Ed Hall; her son, Bobby Joe Hall, Sr.; infant great-grandson, Ragnar Niklaus Hall; five sisters, Susie Osborne, Gracie King, Pearl Pennington, Imogene King, and Nora Pilford; two brothers, Dave Lowe and Frank Lowe; three brothers-in-law, Carl “R. B.” Hall, Joe Hall, and Roy Hall; two sisters-in-law, Bertha (Hall) Rhodes and Juanita Hall; two infant brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; three sons-in-law, Eugene Parker, Mike Marlow, and Wayne Marlow; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, James (Jim) Hall and Mary Frannie (Reynolds) Hall.
She is survived by six children, Judy (Hall) Parker, of Paw Paw, Illinois, Betty (Hall) Marlow, of Duff, TN, Gary Hall, of Jellico, Janice (Hall) King, of Jellico, TN, Gail (Hall) Marlow, of Duff, and Mickey Hall, and wife, Amanda, of Jellico; 15 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; former son-in-law, Able Cardoza; former daughter-in-law, Cathy (Leach) Hall Serrano; care-giver and dear friend, Denice Lane; and a host of friends, neighbors, and other relatives to mourn her passing.
The graveside service and interment will be held on Thursday afternoon, July 25, 2024, beginning at 1:00 p.m. at the Clairfield Baptist Church Cemetery with the Rev. Dennis “Cotton” Pittman officiating.
Cox & Son Funeral Home of Jellico is in charge of all arrangements.
“Serving families in East Tennessee and Southeast Kentucky since 1910”

07/11/2024

All of us at Cox & Son Funeral Home are devastated at the fire and loss we have experienced today. Despite the circumstances, we are thankful that there are no injuries and that we were able to save most important documents including prearranged files, death certificates, and other important papers. We want to express our sincere appreciation to all of the first responders, fire and rescue personnel, law enforcement and others who worked diligently to contain the fire. We also want to convey our heartfelt gratitude to all of our friends, family members, and neighbors who came to our assistance during our time of need thank you. We will forever be grateful. Also, we want all of you to know that we have a contingency plan in place if anyone should need our service. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

06/28/2024

Cox & Son Funeral Home
Serving families in East Tennessee & Southeast Kentucky since 1910
Mr. Robert Lee Parrott – Complete Obituary

Robert Lee Parrott, age 75, of Jellico, Tennessee, passed away Wednesday evening, June 26, 2024, at his home.
He was born on December 21, 1948, to the late Randle Parrott and Vivian June (Thomas) Parrott in Jellico. Robert was a graduate of Jellico High School – Class of 1968. He was a veteran of the United States Army who served in Vietnam and a member of 101st Airborne - The Screaming Eagles.

In addition to his parents and grandparents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Betty Sue Parrott.
Robert is survived by his wife, Kathy Parrott, of Jellico; daughters, Christy Ann (Parrott) Phillips, and husband Ron, of Morgantown, West Virginia, Romona Massengale, and husband, Buster, of Straight Fork, TN, Amy Miller, and Quinthony Griffith, of Robbins, TN, and Carla West, and husband, Shawn, of Nicks Creek, TN; sons, Brian Partin and Family, and Curt Partin, and wife, Beth, of Minnesota; grandchildren, Gage Phillips, and fiancée, Savannah, Gracie and Little Buster Massengale, Benji Miller, Mariska and Hunter West.
Robert is also survived by his sister, Dottie (Parrott) Bargo, and husband, George Everett Bargo, of Williamsburg, KY; nephew, Rev. Randy Bargo, and wife, Sacha, and family, all of Williamsburg, KY, and a host of friends, neighbors, and other relatives to mourn his passing.
The family will receive friends for visitation on Tuesday afternoon, July 2, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the Cox & Son Funeral Home.

Funeral services will begin on Tuesday afternoon, July 2, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. with a Military walk-through service conducted by the Jellico Honor Guard which will be followed immediately by the funeral service officiated by the Rev. Randy Bargo and Bro. Buster Massengale. Music will be provided by Steve Siler and Sacha Bargo.

Military graveside honors and interment will follow the funeral in the Douglas Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Randy Bargo, Scott Davis, David King, Buster Massengale, Little Buster Massengale, and Joe Paul Smith. Honorary pallbearers will be Walker Malicoat, Joe Joe Creekmore, Ed Bryant, and Pat Bryant.

Cox & Son Funeral Home of Jellico is in charge of all arrangements.

“Serving families in East Tennessee and Southeast Kentucky since 1910”

06/27/2024

Cox & Son Funeral Home
Serving families in East Tennessee & Southeast Kentucky since 1910
Mr. Robert Lee Parrott – Arrangements are incomplete

Robert Lee Parrott, age 75, of Jellico, Tennessee, passed away Wednesday evening, June 26, 2024, at his home.
Arrangements are incomplete but will be announced later by the Cox & Son Funeral Home.

Cox & Son Funeral Home of Jellico is in charge of all arrangements.

“Serving families in East Tennessee and Southeast Kentucky since 1910”