UPDATE: May 12 at 4:40 p.m.
The funeral arrangements for the victims of Friday's deadly tornado in Laurel and Pulaski Counties have begun. This article will be updated as that information becomes available.
LAUREL COUNTY VICTIMS
Tiffany Lea Heim, 47.
According to her obituary, Tiffany Heim was born in Fort Myers, Florida, coming to eventually find a passion in horticultire and the environment. Most recently, Heim worked as a floral designer in London and as a greenhouse complex manager in McKee.
Heim also enjoyed pursing her artistic talent and was known for her "spunky personality, zest for life, infectious laugh, ability to make friends with anyone, and her kindness and generosity."
Her funeral is scheduled for Friday at 11 a.m. at the Bowling Funeral Home Chapel. Family will receive friends beginning at 9:30 a.m. until the time of the funeral.
In leiu of flowers, the public is encouraged to make a donation to Green Forest Work or the United Way of Laurel County's tornado relief fund. Learn more about those donations and read the full obituary here.
Lisa Fortney, 50.
Lisa Fortney was known for her "her loving and kind nature, always generous and willing to help those in need," her obituary reports. A member of Liberty Baptist Church, Lisa was a resident of London and an employee of Highland Diversified.
Fortney has a "deep love for all animals and found great joy in God's creations" and cherished her family.
Her funeral is scheduled for Thursday at 1 p.m. at the Bowling Funeral Home Chapel. Family will receive visitors beginning at 11 a.m. until the time of the funeral. Burial will follow at the Osborne Cemetery on Pine Top in London.
In leiu of flowers, the public are encouraged to make a donation to Green Forest Work or the United Way of Laurel County's tornado relief fund. Learn more about those donations and read the full obituary here.
Marshall Otis James Miracle, 25.
Marshall Miracle's obituary describes the 25-year-old as being known for "his servant heart, always ready to lend a helping hand to others," a dedication to his family, and a loving heart.
A member of the Holiness faith, Miracle's funeral is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Thursday at the Bowling Funeral Home Chapel. A vistitation for Mircle will take place on Wednesday, beginning at 6 p.m.
Burial will follow at the Miracle Cemetery in London.
Pamela Kay Mason, 67.
According to her obituary, Pamela Mason, a resident of London, "was truly an amazing person who will be dearly missed by all who knew her."
Known for being a passionate UK Basketball fan, member of Creek Church, and a supporter of the South Laurel Band, Mason "found joy in keeping busy" and was "always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need."
Mason served as a human resources specialist for the Department of Juvenile Justice prior to her retirement.
A funeral is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Friday at the Bowling Funeral Home Chapel. A visitation will begin at 12 p.m. until the time of the funeral.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, or the Laurel County Animal Shelter. Learn more about those donations and read the full obituary here.
Darlene Miller, 67.
Darlene Miller, born in Hamilton, Ohio, served as a housekeeper for the Hamilton Nursing Home prior to relocating to London.
A visitation is scheduled for Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m at the Dowell & Martin Funeral Home, her obituary said. An internment will follow at the Miller Cemetery.
June (Bacerlieri) Fisher, 74.
June Fisher was a member of Pine Grove Baptist and a retired bank teller at First National Bank. She died five days following her 74th birthday, her obituary reports.
A visitation for Fisher will take place will take place on on Saturday at 6 p.m. at the London Funeral Home Chapel. Her funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m. Sunday, with a burial to follow at Hutchins Cemetery.
Sherri Smith, 68.
A retired schoolteacher from the Clay County Board of Education and member of Calvary Baptist, Sherri Smith "had a great love an passion for animals," her obituary said.
Smith's funeral was scheduled for Wednesday, May 1, taking place at the Rominger Funeral Home. She was buried at the Manchester Memorial Gardens.
Leslie “Snez” Roger Leatherman
A funeral for Leslie “Snez” Roger Leatherman is scheduled for Monday, May 26 at the Faith Assembly of God Church. An entombment at the Cumberland Memorial Gardens will follow.
Family will receive friends at the church on Monday starting at 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral.
PULASKI COUNTY VICTIMS
Bernice, 73, and Bobby Tillman, 76.
Bernice and Bobby Tillman were married for 55 years prior to their death. Bernice was a "devoted homemaker who loved her family, her church and her many friends," her obituary said. Bobby, a United States Navy veteran who worked at a tractor company in Illinois until retirement. Read his obituary here.
The two will be buried together at Candle Ridge Cemetery following a funeral at Hart Funeral Home Chapel on Friday at 3 p.m. A visitation will begin at noon until the time of the funeral.
Military honors will be conducted by the D. A. V. Chapter 158 Honor Guard.
Melodie Godby, 69.
A member of the Epistle of Christ of Somerset, Melodie Godby "wanted her life to reflect servitude to the Lord and her family."
In her obituary, Godby's family thanked first responders, "especially the Mt. Victory Fire Department for all of the help and effort that has put forth in our community to aide those affected by this disaster."
Godby's visitation is scheduled for Saturday at the Science Hill Nazarene Church from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with a celebration to follow. Godby will be buried in the Prather Cemetery in Nancy.
RUSSELL COUNTY VICTIMS
Debra Edelman, 93.
Debra Edelman was involved with her community and the employees of the businesses she shared with her husband, including multiple recycling businesses and The Jack and Debra Edelman Foundation.
According to her obituary, Edelman was a philanthropist and "never met a stranger;" she enjoyed water and snow skiing, and had multiple friends in politics and the boating and skiing communities.
A time of gathering for Edelman will take place at the Doan & Mills Funeral Home on Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with a funeral to follow. Entombment will take place at the Earlham Memorial Mausoleum.
Learn more about where to make donations in Edelman's honor, and read her full obituary, here.
ORIGINAL STORY:
Following the deadly tornado that ripped through Kentucky, leaving damage and destruction in its wake, the names of the 19 victims have been released.
The Bowling Funeral Home released a list of names of the individuals who died following the tornado.
- 73-year-old Richard McFall
- 65-year-old Wanda McFall
- 74-year-old June Johnson Fisher
- 58-year-old Leslie Leatherman
- 67-year-old Darlene Miller
- 69-year-old Nancy Clem
- 67-year-old Pamela Mason
- 68-year-old Sherri Smith
- 48-year-old Tiffany Heim
- 88-year-old Ray Cowan
- 72-year-old Linda Sweet
- 71-year-old Garry Sweet
- 50-year-old Lisa Fortney
- 63-year-old Kenneth Elliott
- 25-year-old Marshall Miracle
- 76-year-old Bobby Tillman
- 73-year-old Bernice Tillman
- 69-year-old Melodie Godby
- 93-year-old Debra Edelman
On Saturday, Governor Andy Beshear took in the damage in hard hit Laurel County. While it’s not his first natural disaster as the Commonwealth’s top official, he noted that this storm is particularly hard.
