by RODERICK MULLINS

ABINGDON, Va. — Former Dickenson County Public Schools teacher and Ervinton High School head football coach Curt Newsome has died at the age of 67.

A graduate of Phoebus High School, Va., Newsome went on to play collegiately at Emory and Henry College. Upon graduation, his first coaching job would take him to Dickenson County to head up a struggling Ervinton Rebels football program.

The Rebel players bought into his coaching plan and went 7-3 in his first season as the skipper of Rebels. He would later be named Lonesome Pine District Coach of the Year for his efforts. 

Newsome later left Ervinton and coached at stops at Kecoughtan High School and other state schools, amassing a 105-45 record in 16 seasons as a high school head coach in Virginia. Newsome earned five district coach of the year honors including one with the Lonesome Pine District and one with the Peninsula District in the Virginia High School League, three regional coach of the year awards and received Virginia State Coach of the Year recognition in 1998.

Newsome made the jump the next year to collegiate football in 1999 at James Madison University, where he helped the Dukes win the 2004 NCAA Division I FCS national championship. From there, he spent seven seasons as offensive line coach at Virginia Tech from 2006-12. During his tenure, the Hokies won three Atlantic Coast Conference championships and appeared in a bowl game each season.

He would later leave Virginia Tech and eventually take over the head football coaching position at his alma mater, Emory and Henry University in 2014.

While as the head football coach of the Wasps from 2014-23, he would compile a 53-42 record with six winning seasons. He was named Old Dominion Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 2014 after leading the Wasps to an 8-2 record, guide the program to the ODAC championship game during the spring 2021 season and the university’s entrance into the NCAA Division II ranks and the South Atlantic Conference.

Newsome would step down from the head football coaching job in 2024 citing health reasons. He would be inducted into the Emory and Henry Sports Hall of Fame.

His coaching career spanned 42 years at both the high school and collegiate levels. In a statement, Virginia Tech remembered him as a respected leader and mentor whose impact on student-athletes will be felt for generations.

James Madison University later released a statement saying that the university was “saddened to learn of the passing of Coach Curt Newsome, who devoted his life to the game of football while helping lead us to our first national championship.”

The JMU release added that Newsome “was one of the most respected coaches in our state between his time at JMU, Virginia Tech and Emory & Henry. Our thoughts are with Coach Newsome’s family during this difficult time.”

The funeral service for Coach Curt Newsome will be at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, 2026 at Highlands Fellowship Church in Abingdon. Visitation will follow the service. He will be interred in Hampton, Virginia. A celebration of life will be held in Hampton at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Kirk Nairn Memorial Scholarship at P.O. Box 1242, Abingdon, VA 24211, or online at 4knscholarship.com, or to Highlands Fellowship Food Pantry, 22417 Watauga Rd., Abingdon, VA 24211.

The family of Curt Newsome is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service & Crematory, 427 E. Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210; 276-623-2700.

The post Former Emory & Henry football coach who got his start in Dickenson County remembered appeared first on Mountain Top Media.

PIKEVILLE, Ky. — Sheldon Lee Compton, a distinguished Sports Director for Mountain Top Media and former faculty member at Piarist School, passed away peacefully on April 13, 2026, at Pikeville Medical Center. Born on April 23, 1976, Sheldon’s life was marked by dedication, talent, and a profound commitment to his family, community, and craft.

A proud native of Pikeville, Sheldon earned a Master’s degree, which laid the foundation for his remarkable career. His professional journey was multifaceted and inspiring. As an accomplished journalist, novelist, and poet with five published books, Sheldon was proudly known as the Appalachian Writer. Beyond his written achievements, he was also a Kentucky Board Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, demonstrating a compassionate dedication to helping others overcome their challenges. Sheldon had a love for music and songwriting and was a talented musician.  However, his greatest accomplishment was being the proud father of his two children.

Sheldon’s colleagues and students at Mountain Top News and Media and the Piarist School remember him as a passionate leader and educator who devoted himself to nurturing excellence and integrity in journalism and education.

He is deeply mourned by his loving wife, Heather McCoy; his cherished children, Tyler Lee Compton and Natalie Grace Compton; his mother, Loretta Tackett, and stepfather, Gary Tackett; as well as his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Mark and Kathy McCoy. Sheldon was also the beloved brother of Kenneth Scott Tackett; Christy Dawn (Delmas) Johnson; and Brandi Carol (Dana) McCown. His legacy continues through his nieces—Brice Johnson, Becca Tackett, Emily Johnson, Haven Meade, and Averie McCown—and sister-in-law Daphne McCoy. The family also includes a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and cherished furbabies.

Sheldon was preceded in death by his father, Orville Compton; brother, Bryan David Tackett; paternal grandparents Teddy and Avalene (Mother) Compton; maternal grandparents Bob and Wanda Mullins; and grandmother Irene Moore. Their memories live on in the hearts of all who knew Sheldon.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 16, 2026, after 6 PM at the Lucas & Son Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 1 PM at the Lucas & Son Funeral Home. Special services will be held nightly at 7 PM

Sheldon Lee Compton’s life was a testament to perseverance, creativity, and kindness. He touched many lives, leaving a lasting legacy through his work, his music, and the love he shared with his family and friends. He will be remembered with great respect and affection by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

The post Arrangements announced for Sheldon Lee Compton appeared first on Mountain Top Media.

PIKEVILLE, Ky. — The founder and longtime owner of a Pikeville funeral home has died.

Jack Lucas died on Wednesday at the age of 83.

Best known as founder, owner and funeral director of Lucas & Son Funeral Home, his career took him into other fields, as a store manager for Maloney’s and Gibson’s department stores, a leading salesman for Thompson’s Chemical Supply, and founder of East Kentucky Chemical Company.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley Jean Hopkins Lucas; his sister, Linda Carol Jones; and his granddaughter, Ericka Lucas.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 10 p.m., Saturday, with funeral services at 1 p.m., Sunday, at the funeral home. Interment will be in the R.H. Ratliff Cemetery at Shelbiana.

You can find his full obituary at https://www.lucasandsonfh.com/obituaries/noah-lucas.

The post Funeral services set for Lucas & Son founder appeared first on Mountain Top Media.

PAINTSVILLE, Ky. — Paintsville Tourism has announced the death of its director, Jeremiah Parsons.

Parsons had served as tourism director since 2022.

“Jeremiah’s love for Paintsville, his kindness, and his unwavering dedication to our community will never be forgotten,” the agency said on its Facebook page. “He poured his heart into serving this city and uplifting the people and places he cared so deeply about.”

The statement did not indicate the cause of death, except to say it was sudden.

The post Paintsville tourism director dies appeared first on Mountain Top Media.

UPDATE: Visitation for Brandon Robinson will be held Tuesday, Sept. 2, from 5 to 9 p.m., at the Whitesburg First Baptist Church. Funeral services will be Wednesday, Sept. 3, at 1 p.m., at the church, with Buford Combs and others officiating. Burial will follow in the Bill Adams Cemetery, at Colson.

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to Grey Matters Whitesburg.

HAZARD, Ky. — WYMT meteorologist and Harlan County native Brandon Robinson has died, following a nine-year battle with brain cancer.

With an infectious personality and a passion for his work, Robinson quickly became a popular figure in Eastern Kentucky. His public battle with cancer, both personally and on behalf of others through the Grey Matters charity he co-founded with his wife, cemented his status as a favorite son of the mountains.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced. Mountain Top News will update this story, once they are released.

Brandon Robinson was 42 years old.

The post WYMT meteorologist Brandon Robinson dies appeared first on Mountain Top Media.

ALLEN, Ky. — Willard Kinzer, an industrial titan, World War II veteran, prominent philanthropist and avid race car driver well into his 90s, died on Thursday.

Kinzer was a young teen when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, but his youth didn’t deter him from enlisting in the fight. After doctoring his birth certificate some time later, he joined the Navy at just 16 years old to help his country during World War II.

After the war, he grew his family’s business into an industrial giant blanketing Eastern Kentucky and West Virginia — Kinzer Drilling. His success in business allowed him to share his wealth through generosity, becoming a driving force behind Wesley Christian School, the Mountain Arts Center and a veterans cemetery in Allen that is named in his honor, among other endeavors.

Known to have a sign in his home reading, “Life begins at 200 mph,” he followed a love for racing throughout his life, even winning a drag race championship in Bristol, Tenn., on his 90th birthday.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Willard Kinzer was 97 years old.

The post Willard Kinzer remembered appeared first on Mountain Top Media.

FRANKLIN, Tenn. — A Perry County native and former member of country and soft rock band Exile, has died.

Bernie Faulkner died on Sunday, Dec. 1, in Franklin, Tenn.

Faulkner joined the band in 1967, replacing former keyboardist Buzz Cornelison and also contributing on guitar and saxophone. He would remain with the band until 1973.

During Faulkner’s tenure with the band, they toured the country with Dick Clark’s Caravan of Stars three times and landed a deal with Columbia Records in 1969.

After leaving the band, Faulkner remained active in music as a producer and songwriter, earning a gold record for Tracy Lawrence’s “April’s Fool.”

Faulkner was 77 years old at the time of his passing.

The post Former Exile member Bernie Faulkner dies appeared first on Mountain Top Media.

BELFRY, Ky. — Belfry Volunteer Fire Department is in mourning after one of its members died while responding to a fire Wednesday evening.

Firefighter Darrell Helton, 49, was helping to shuttle water while the department responded to a mutual aid call for a structure fire.

According to the Supporting Heroes organization, which recognizes the sacrifices of fallen first responders, Helton reported feeling a fluttering in his chest but told colleagues he was fine. After delivering a last load of water, he sat down on the tanker’s running board, when he suddenly collapsed from a heart attack.

Efforts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.

Visitation will be held Monday, Sept. 9, from 5 to 9 p.m., at Belfry High School Auditorium. The funeral service will be conducted at 5 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 10, at Belfry High School Auditorium, with Freddie Lewis officiating. Burial will follow at 2 p.m., Friday, Sept. 13, at Mountain View Memory Gardens, at Huddy. R. E. Rogers Funeral Home of Belfry is in charge of arrangements.

The post Belfry firefighter dies while responding to structure fire appeared first on Mountain Top Media.

WHITESBURG, Ky. — William Donald Childers, founder of Childers Oil and the Double Kwik chain of convenience stores, has died.

Better known as Don Childers to most, he passed away at his home in Whitesburg, with his wife, Peggy Jo, and two daughters, Donna Jo Childers, of Nicholasville, and Ina Michelle (Missy) Matthews, of Whitesburg, by his side.

After graduating from Pikeville College and the University of Kentucky, then serving in the Army, Childers went to work for Gulf Oil in 1956. Ten years later, he would buy Gulf’s distributorship in Whitesburg and rebrand it as Childers Oil.

“Eastern Kentucky has lost a legendary leader,” U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers said in a statement Wednesday. “I am deeply saddened by the passing of my good friend, Don Childers of Letcher County. He invested in the lives of Eastern Kentuckians by creating jobs, casting vision and planning for new opportunities, and generously giving back to his home region. Most recently, Don and his family provided resources and supplies for flood survivors in one of our hardest hit counties. He was a brilliant businessman and a consummate advocate for our Appalachian region, leaving a generational legacy of hope for a brighter future. My wife Cynthia and I send our heartfelt sympathy and prayers to the entire Childers family, and especially Peggy who lost the love of her life after 71 years.”

“I’m deeply saddened by the loss of my longtime friend, Don Childers,” U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell said in a statement. “Don and I connected from the very beginning over our shared love of Kentucky, and through the years we teamed up on countless projects to see what we could do for our state’s Appalachian communities. He was a constant advocate for his fellow Eastern Kentuckians and always looked for ways to bring jobs, investment, and new opportunities to his hometown. Don leaves a tremendous impact on the Commonwealth, and I will continue to remember this impressive businessman, honored veteran, and dedicated family man fondly. Elaine and I send our condolences to the entire Childers family and all those who mourn his loss.”

Don Childers was 92 years old.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1 p.m., Monday, July 8, at First Baptist Church, in Whitesburg.

Rep. Rogers entered a tribute to Childers into the Congressional Record. That tribute is reprinted below:

“Mister Speaker, I rise today in memory of a legendary leader and a pillar of innovation in Eastern Kentucky, my longtime friend Don Childers, best known for founding Childers Oil Company in Whitesburg, Kentucky. After spending a lifetime creating jobs and investing hope in our rural Appalachian region, Don received his heavenly reward at the age of 92.

“Over the years, you learn the dynamics of a meeting can change by the presence of one strong leader. Don Childers significantly shifted the dynamics of our entire region, spanning the coalfields of southern and eastern Kentucky, by putting actions to his words and remaining a loyal friend to the region he loved. Sons and daughters of the coalfields deeply understand the value of hard work, perseverance, and southern hospitality. Every venture that Don and his wife Peggy established over the last five decades are marked by those same characteristics. While Don delivered oil to coal mines in Central Appalachia, Peggy focused on the retail side, designing and operating convenience stores where customers would be greeted with the smell of fresh, homemade food. Established in 1966, Childers Oil Company has now grown from three petroleum trucks and three drivers to a successful family-owned business group with more than 40 convenience stores and a thriving restaurant featuring Peggy’s home recipes, as well as more than 1,000 employees in a region desperate for jobs.

“Twenty years ago, Don rallied together a group of community leaders to form the Letcher County Planning Commission, focusing on the development of educational, recreational, and economic opportunities. During that time, they have boldly led the charge to build a federal correctional facility in Letcher County to create more than 300 federal jobs, a new airport to improve industrial development, new recreational trails, improved infrastructure, and much more.

“Don was not only a good leader, but a respected mentor and teacher, passing down his unwavering work ethic, determination, and compassion to his children and those around him. Most recently, in response to the catastrophic flood that swept through our region in July 2022, the Childers family helped organize flood relief efforts and provided temporary housing for some families who lost everything overnight. Their generosity and quick response ensured flood survivors had emergency supplies and shelter when they needed it the most.

“Despite the challenges that have crossed Don’s path over the years, he has always responded with the utmost grace, fortitude and resolve to honor his word. He has never allowed fear of criticism to deter his mission to make Eastern Kentucky a better place to live.

“Aside from his success in business, Don was equally dedicated to the Whitesburg First Baptist Church, a generous supporter of local schools and non-profits, and a proud U.S Army Vietnam Veteran. He left a lasting legacy that will carry far beyond his time with us. I am eternally grateful for Don’s friendship and support, as well as the investments that he, Peggy and their children have made in the lives of Eastern Kentuckians every single day. My wife Cynthia and I share our heartfelt sympathy with the entire Childers family and especially Peggy, who lost the love of her life after 71 years of marriage.”

The post Obituary: Don Childers, founder of Childers Oil and Double Kwik appeared first on Mountain Top Media.

PIKEVILLE, Ky. — Former Pike County District Judge Darrel Mullins has died.

Mullins served as district judge for 23 years, after first being elected in 1996. Prior to that, he worked as a highly popular disc jockey in the 1970s and 1980s for Mountain Top Media’s predecessor, East Kentucky Broadcasting, before going to law school.

Visitation for Mullins will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, May 23, at the J.W. Call Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Friday, May 24, at the funeral home, with burial to follow at Johnson Memorial Park, in Pikeville.

Darrel Mullins was 73 years old.

The post Services announced for former District Judge Darrel Mullins appeared first on Mountain Top Media.