Area Obituaries

James Chester “Bud” Rankin, Jr. age 91, of Paris, Kentucky departed this life on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at Bourbon Heights. James was born on July 19, 1935, in Newtown, Kentucky, the son of the late Mildred Ellen Case and James Chester Rankin, Sr., was a graduate of Bourbon County High School, was a veteran,…

Kathleen Cohn (née Brannock), wife of Ray Barton, loving mother of Aaron (Karen) Cohn, Molly Cohn, and the late Elliott Cohn, and cherished grandmother of Elliott Cohn, Samuel Cohn, and Oliver Cohn, passed away in Rockport, Texas, where she had been living. Kathleen was born in Paris on March 14, 1953. She was a proud…

Kenneth Lawrence Breunig, Sr., age 88, of Paris, KY passed away Tuesday, September 22, in Springfield, at the home of his son. A native of Louisville, Ken was born on February 25, 1938 to the late Charles Edward Breunig and Angela Gaffney Breunig. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy; a former owner of…

Marion Sims, Jr., 78, husband of Phyllis Hardwick Sims, passed away Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026 at Centerpoint Health-Paris. A Nicholas County native born Nov. 6, 1947 to the late Marion, Sr. and Dorothy Hazel Ham Sims, he was a 1965 graduate of Nicholas County High School, a former member of the Kentucky Army National Guard,…

Mr. Charles William “Wally” Watkins, Jr., a native of Paris, passed from death unto life on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, just one day after his 50th birthday. Though his time on earth was shorter than those who loved him had hoped, the memories he created, the relationships he cherished, and the love he shared will…

Pamela Kay Shepherd, 67, of Lexington, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 29 at the University of Kentucky Hospital. Born April 15, 1959 in Carlisle to the late Edward and Margaret M. Colmire Jolly, she was a retired supervisor for Fayette District Court. Pam enjoyed going on cruises, watching her favorite TV shows, going to the casino…

Robert Wayne Smart, 81, of Lexington, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, at the VA medical center in Lexington after a long illness. Born July 8, 1945, in Nicholas County to the late George Burl and Ruby Lee Cooper Smart, he was a 1963 graduate of Carlisle High School, a Kentucky Army National Guard veteran…

Rebekah Herrington Neaves, born April 28, 1981, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. She will be remembered for her independent spirit, her love of plants and cooking, and her life with her husband, Mark. Those who knew Rebekah in her younger years will remember her spunk. She had a personality all her own and a…

Mark Hays Cubine, 68, of Vincent, Alabama passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026. A celebration of life will be held in his honor at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26 at the Whosoever Will Men’s Bible Class, 308 North Street E., Talladega, AL 35160, with Robert Klotz and Adam Armstrong officiating. His family will…