Threads of Life: Longtime Oneida resident was an exceptional aunt
In Remembrance Of: Carol Bridges, Sheila Foster, Sonny Morrell, and Bruce Murphy.
Carol Bridges, 74
Oneida
July 11, 2026
Carol Jeane Schneider Bridges, age 74, departed this life on July 11, 2026.
LIFE
Carol was born in Lowville, N.Y., and had been a member of the Oneida community for 46 years. She had the warmest smile and a laugh that was truly contagious. She was always bright, cheerful and silly, and while she would have made a wonderful mother, she was an exceptional aunt who loved every child around her. She spent 54 years with the love of her life, Bobby Bridges. Her love for her husband, family, friends and community was evident in everything she did. She had a kind heart and always wanted the best for those around her.
PRECEDED IN DEATH
• Mother: Janis Lambert
• Brother: Rick Smith
• Best friend: Sheila Foster
SURVIVORS
• Husband: Bobby Bridges
• Sister: Hester Newby and husband Dan
• Brother: Bill Schneider and family
• Brother-in-law: Keith Bridges
• Niece: Brittany McCoy
• Nephews: Brandon McCoy, Gavin Wallen and Garrett Smith
• Great-nephew: Evan Byrd
SERVICES
• Visitation: Saturday, July 18, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in the chapel of Jones & Son Funeral Home.
• Funeral: To follow at 2 p.m.
• Burial: To follow at Chitwood Cemetery in Winfield.
Arrangements by Jones & Son Funeral Home.
Sheila Foster, 76
Oneida
July 20, 1949 – July 10, 2026
Sheila G. Foster, age 76, departed this life on July 10, 2026.
LIFE
Born July 20, 1949, Sheila was the daughter of Josie Honeycutt.
PRECEDED IN DEATH
• Mother: Josie Honeycutt
• Infant sister: Carol Ann Foster
• Brother: Brian Honeycutt
SURVIVORS
• Sister: Carolyn Sue Chambers and husband Harold
• Brother: Fred Foster
• Nephews: Rick Chambers and wife Debbie, Wesley Chambers, and Matthew Foster and wife Erin
• Niece: Tammie Wellen and husband Robert
• Great-nieces and nephew: Kaylah Chambers, Ella Lawson, Mitchell Foster and Sara Foster
• Sister-in-law: Vanessa Honeycutt
SERVICES
• Burial: Graveside service Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at 11 a.m. in the New Light Cemetery in Winfield with Bro. Kyle Keeton officiating.
Arrangements by Jones & Son Funeral Home.
Sonny Morrell, 70
Pioneer
June 13, 1956 – July 11, 2026
Sonny Dewayne Morrell, age 70, departed this life on July 11, 2026.
LIFE
Born June 13, 1956, Sonny was the son of John Edward and Pernie Harness Morrell. He worked in radio broadcasting and was a member of New Beverly Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tenn.
PRECEDED IN DEATH
• Parents: John Edward and Pernie Harness Morrell
• Granddaughter: Lyric Ariel Riley Morrell
SURVIVORS
• Daughter: Charatie Minnich and husband Matt
• Son: Sonny Morrell Jr. and wife Dallas
• Grandchildren: Zecharia James Morrell, Seth Xavier Morrell and Grayson Noah Morrell
• Sister: Peggy Duncan and husband Carlie
• Brother: John Morrell
• Special aunt: Bea Golden
• Uncles: Clyde Harness and Curt Harness
SERVICES
• Visitation: Wednesday, July 15, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the chapel of Jones & Son Funeral Home.
• Funeral: To follow at 3 p.m. with Bro. Carlie Duncan and Bro. Matt Minnich officiating.
• Burial: To follow at Botts Cemetery in Oneida.
Arrangements by Jones & Son Funeral Home.
Bruce Murphy, 69
Winfield
May 25, 1957 – July 8, 2026
Retired Colonel Bruce Allen Murphy, age 69, departed this life on July 8, 2026.
LIFE
Born May 25, 1957, Bruce was the son of Brent and Edna Musgrove Murphy. He was a member of Silerville United Baptist Church in Strunk, Ky., a 1975 Pine Knot High School salutatorian, a 1979 graduate of Eastern Kentucky University, and later earned a degree from the University of Kentucky in 1990. He served as the Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer for the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Commander of the 1st Brigade, 100th Division, and a JROTC instructor at Southwestern High School in Somerset, Ky. He proudly served in the U.S. Army from May 1977 until his retirement in June 2009, serving in numerous positions throughout Kentucky. During his distinguished military career, he rose through the ranks to become a Colonel, exemplifying exceptional leadership, dedication and service to his country. Bruce also served as Deputy County Judge in Barbourville and Whitley City, Ky. He was active in numerous civic organizations, including the Pine Knot Kiwanis Club, American Legion Post 115, McCreary County Chamber of Commerce, Human Resource Development Foundation, Educational Development Foundation, Heritage Foundation, Forest Industries Association, McCreary County Airport Board, Scott-McCreary Area Revitalization Team, Lake Cumberland Area Development, Community Action Agency, District Health Department, McCreary and Knox County Pride Coordinator, Southeast Kentucky Regional Industrial Development Authority, Kentucky Industrial Development Committee, the Governor’s Education Pay Task Force and the Reserve Officers Association.
PRECEDED IN DEATH
• Parents: Brent and Edna Musgrove Murphy
• First wife: Kathleen Tuttle Murphy
• Fathers and mothers-in-law: Bud and Ruth Tuttle, and Jack and Jo Chitwood
• Grandparents: Luther and Eva Perkins Murphy, and William Riley and Hattie Jones Musgrove
• Special uncle: Sherrill Murphy and wife Stella
• Special aunt: Barbara Vahle
SURVIVORS
• Wife: Jerri West Murphy
• Special nephew: Lawrence Eddie Stephens
• Stepchildren: Jessica Blevins and husband Jared, and Jackie Sexton and husband Jared
• Grandchildren: Ryder Sexton and wife Karmyn, Josie Sexton, Brock Blevins, Evan Stephens and wife Bailee, Riley Stephens, Ben Sexton, Blake Clark, Jack Blevins and Charlee Blevins
• Unborn great-grandchild: Maverick Sexton
• Sister: Eydie West and husband John
• Brother-in-law: Joey Chitwood and wife Jill
• Nephew: Micah Chitwood and wife Alyssa
SERVICES
• Visitation: Saturday, July 11, 2026, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the chapel of Jones & Son Funeral Home.
• Funeral: To follow at 4 p.m.
• Burial: To follow in the Pine Knot Cemetery in Pine Knot, Ky., with full military honors.
Arrangements by Jones & Son Funeral Home.