Barbourville, Ky. – Joe Ray Gambrel, 76, passed away peacefully, May 11, 2021, at his home on Moore’s Creek. Joe Ray was the son of the late Loyd Gambrel and Nannie Gregory Gambrel, born to them on November 24, 1944 at the J.B. Hill Coal Camp at Fourmile, Kentucky.
Joe was a veteran coal miner, the son and grandson of coal miners. Joe was especially proud of his years as a mine foreman at Eastover Mining Company.
Joe accepted Jesus as his Savior and was baptized into the Baptist faith at the age of 32.
In addition to his parents, Loyd Gambrel and Nannie Gregory Gambrel, Joe was preceded in death by his brother, Charles Lee Gambrel.
Left behind to celebrate Joe’s life are his siblings: Everett Gambrel (Pearl) of Moore’s Creek; Arnold Gambrel of Fort Wayne, Indiana; Karen Gambrel of Middlesboro; Doris Shoemaker (Wayne) of Columbia, Missouri; and Jennifer Powell (Everett) of Shinnston, West Virginia. Joe’s brother and best friend, Jerry Gambrel of Moore’s Creek, also survives Joe and will miss him dearly. A host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, great-great nieces and great-great nephews, cousins, and friends who loved Joe dearly, and he loved them in return, will remember him fondly. Joe never met a stranger, and he never forgot anyone.
A Graveside Service is planned for Joe on Friday, May 14, 2021 at 2:00 PM in the Gregory Family Cemetery at Fourmile (Moore’s Creek / Stinking Creek). Larry Joe Sizemore will officiate. Casket Bearers will be family members, friends, and neighbors. L. D. Brown is an Honorary Pallbearer.
Family and friends are asked to gather at Hopper Funeral Home at 1:00 PM so that loved ones can travel in procession to the cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Bluegrass Hospice Care, the Alzheimer’s Association, the American Diabetes Association or the American Heart Association.
The Hopper Family, Victoria Hopper and Sally Hopper, and the staff of Hopper Funeral Home express our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Joe Ray Gambrel.
COVID-19 restrictions remain in effect. Everyone attending services for Mr. Gambrel will be required to wear a mask and remain six feet apart.
Hopper Funeral Home, Inc., established over 100 years ago, is in charge of servicing all arrangements for Joe Ray Gambrel.
