Barbourville, Ky. – Darlene “Dolly” Vivian Jordan West, age 78, of Artemus, Kentucky, died February 11, 2024, at her home. Dolly was born August 21, 1945, in Dayton, Ohio, to Harry A. Bakkee and Marie Parrott. As a little girl, Dolly came to live with her Aunt and Uncle, Elizabeth “Liz” and Ewell Jordan, who raised her as their own, and soon started helping them at Liz’s restaurant, Victory Café, on the Court Square in Barbourville.
Dolly was a graduate of Barbourville High School, a 50-year member of the Eastern Star, and a member of First Baptist Church Artemus. She met the love of her life, Gerald West, when she was in her teens; falling in love they united in marriage on October 31, 1965. Dolly and Gerald maintained a very close relationship over the years doing almost everything together. Dolly had a good business sense and learned the value of hard work from her Aunt Liz and Uncle Ewell, working outside the home in addition to being a homemaker after she married. Dolly often worked side by side with her husband Gerald. She worked for the United States Postal Service as a Deputy Postal Clerk; as the Knox County Deputy Judge Executive; and as the Office Manager for West Security Company. Dolly enjoyed people and being a part of her beloved Artemus community. Her highest priorities though were her roles as wife, mother, and grandmother. Taking care of her family was her greatest joy.
Left behind to mourn Dolly’s passing are: her beloved husband of 58 years Gerald Keith West; brother Jim Bennett (Dora) of Jacksonville, Florida; daughter Amy Deacon (Tharon) of Murfreesboro, Tennessee; son Darren West (Lisa) of Artemus, Kentucky; eight grandchildren, Jenna Elizabeth Mary Spring (Hunter), Carrie Joann Smith (Waylon), Nick West, McKinley Smith, Carter West, Justin Deacon (Kayla), Cameron Deacon (Kara) and Matthew Deacon; and three great grandchildren, Ashton Deacon, Braxton Deacon, Ethan Spring, with another (Baby Smith) on the way this Summer. Special friends, Rita Blevins, Violet Peace, Donna Lankford, and Janet Miracle, who were like sisters, also survive Dolly and will miss her dearly.
Dolly was preceded in death by her mom and stepdad Marie and Marvin Floyd; Aunt and Uncle Elizabeth “Liz” and Ewell Jordan, who were like parents to Dolly; sister Marilyn Mays; and great granddaughter Elleigh Mai Spring.
The West family will receive friends at First Baptist Church Artemus, Wednesday, February 14, 2024, from 11:00 AM until the funeral hour of 2:00 PM. Reverend Samuel Lawson will officiate, assisted by Pastor Joshua Carnes. Interment will follow the funeral service in the Barbourville Cemetery. Casket Bearers are Brent West, Steve Abner, Nick West, Carter West, Tharon Deacon, Matthew Deacon, Hunter Spring and Doug Taylor. Honorary Casket Bearers are Jim Bennett, Glen West, Charles Miracle, and Kenneth Campbell.
The Hopper family, Victoria Hopper and Sally Hopper, along with the staff of Hopper Funeral Home, express sincere condolences to the family and friends of Darlene “Dolly” Vivian Jordan West.
Hopper Funeral Home, Inc., established over 100 years ago, is in charge of servicing all arrangements for Darlene “Dolly” Vivian Jordan West.READ LESS
