Pikeville Funeral Home

Born in Wayne County on January 12, 1926 she was the daughter of the late John Edward Forehand and Ida Howell Forehand.A service to celebrate Edna’s life will be held on Wednesday, November 14, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. in the chapel of Seymour Funeral Home with Rev. Danny Smith and Rev. Harold Jones officiating. The family will receive friends following the service at the funeral home and at other times at the home. Burial will be Thursday, November 15, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. in the Pikeville Cemetery.Edna is survived by her husband of 75 years, Paul Bissette; daughter, Gail Barnes and husband Jerry of Pikeville; sons, Edward Bissette and wife Janet of Clayton, David Bissette of Pikeville, Randy Bissette of Pikeville, Ernie Bissette and wife Lorelei of Greenville, and Adrian Bissette and wife Christine of Charlotte; nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sons, Tim Bissette and Christopher Bissette and four sisters.Online condolences may be sent to www.seymourfuneralhome.com. ...

By MARK MAYNARD, Kentucky Today PIKEVILLE, Ky. (KT) – Walter May, who built an empire in healthcare and broadcasting in the heart of eastern Kentucky, died Friday morning. He was 81.May’s career had three phases – broadcasting, health industry and political. His favorite may have been with radio broadcasting. He started as a DJ at WPKE-AM in Pikeville and eventually worked into management where he founded the East Kentucky Broadcasting Network, also known as “The Voice of East Kentucky.”He was a former chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters and the Kentucky Broadcasters Association.“His voice boomed across the airways at East Kentucky Broadcasting for decades, delivering news to people in the deepest corners of the mountains, and that same voice will continue to echo in our hearts spurring us to carry on the work he started,” said U.S. Congressman Hal Rogers in a statement.May was mayor of Pikeville from 1990 to 1993 and former president and chief executive officer of the Pikeville Medical Center.“Marking the heart of a giant, Walter always strived to give back more to the people of eastern Kentucky, through charity events, more jobs and access to specialized healthcare in the region,” Rogers said.U.S. Sen. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell also released a statement, saying “the Pikeville community lost one of its towering figures with the passing of Walter May.”Rogers called him a “mighty warrior for eastern Kentucky.”J.W. Call and Son Funeral Home in Pikeville will be handling arrangements.Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday at First Baptist of Pikeville and the funeral at 2 p.m. Sunday at the church. Burial will be in Johnson Memorial Park in Pikeville. ...

He was 81. J.W. Call and Son Funeral Home in Pikeville confirmed May’s death Friday morning and will be handling arrangements. May became a rock ‘n’ roll DJ in 1955 on WPKE-AM in Pikeville. He would go on to found East Kentucky Broadcasting, known as “The Voice of East Kentucky.” He also was a former chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters and the Kentucky Broadcasters Association. Besides being mayor of Pikeville from 1990 to 1993, May was former president and chief executive officer of the Pikeville Medical Center. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said in a statement, “The Pikeville community lost one of its towering figures with the passing of Walter May” and said May “established an enduring legacy of excellence and service.” ...