19 people who died in KY storms have been identified. What we know about them

As more information emerges about the victims of the weekend tornadoes in Laurel and Pulaski counties, countless tributes and notes of condolences have filled social media.

Saturday night, Laurel County Coroner Doug Bowling and Pulaski County Coroner Clyde Strunk identified 18 of the confirmed victims of severe storms and a tornado that swept Kentucky late Friday into early Saturday.

An additional 19th victim, later identified as Indiana resident Debra Edelman, 93, died in Russell County in the storm, Gov. Andy Beshear said Sunday on social media.

Initially, 10 more people were hospitalized in critical condition, with others receiving treatment for less severe injuries, according Beshear. Three remained in critical condition at UK HealthCare as of Sunday afternoon, the governor later said, four are considered in fair condition and three others in good condition.

The Herald-Leader has spoke with family, friends and relatives of those lost in the tornadoes in southeastern Kentucky. Here’s what we know about those who died in the storm.

Richard “Dickie,” 73, and Wanda McFall, 66: Daughter-in-law Jaclynn England said the couple were a joy to their community and loved to help others.

Dickie had served in the U.S. Marine Corps. and was an active member of the Disabled American Veterans. Wanda was a chaplain for the DAV auxiliary. They took on the role of Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus at their church at Christmas celebrations.

“Even through the hard times they had love for each other and their family. They stood strong in Christ,” England said.

“We want people to know what wonderful spirits they were. They were not only a vital vein in our family but also the community,” she said. “They strived to help anyone in need they could and found joy in it. At Christmas they enjoyed making children laugh and the rest of the year they helped honor our veterans like Richard who served in the USMC.”

June Fisher, 74: Fisher was one of the kindest and most gracious ladies I have met,” said Debbie Gilbert, who works with a group called IGOT Community that holds events for those 55 and older.

“Not only was June a beautiful lady outside, she was a beautiful soul from the inside. I have always believed a true lady has the ability to be noticed, without trying to be noticed, and for sure that was June,” Gilbert said.

Fisher had lived in her home in Sunshine Hills, where multiple people died in Friday’s tornado, for the past 50 years, family members told the Herald-Leader recently.

She worked as a bank teller at First National Bank before she retired, according to her obituary on the London Funeral Home website. She was a member of Pine Grove Baptist Church.

Her visitation will be at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 24 at London Funeral Home with services at the funeral home at 11 a.m. Sunday, May 25.

Nancy Clem, 69: Clem’s niece, Nancy Edwards Carnahan, said in a message Clem worked for years in the environmental services department at AdventHealth Manchester, a hospital.

“She loved to laugh and have a good time, she was loved by so many,” Carnahan said. “One of her most cherished accomplishments was she got her GED as an adult, she loved to travel with family and friends and was always ready for a trip.”

In a message, Clem’s daughter Elaine Thompson said, “She was the most helpful and caring woman --and strongest woman-- I have ever known.”

Thompson said her mother had “fought many battles in life and was fighting when she was taken. She was caring for others no matter what it took she was always there she never ever had that much but she always made a way for others and her family.”

Thompson said Clem was on kidney dialysis at the time.

Clem worked at the Manchester hospital for eight years in housekeeping and was a part of a committee that came up with ideas to make things better for patients. One holiday, Clem made candy bags and gave it to all the patients on her floor, Thompson said.

Sherri Smith, 68: Sherri Smith was a retired Clay County High School teacher, Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers said.

In a Facebook post, school officials said, “Clay County High School is deeply saddened by the sudden passing of our retired English teacher, Ms. Sherri Smith. Known to her students as Ms. Sherri, Sherri truly loved literature, plays, and more importantly, her students. She was always delighted to see them, greeted everyone with a smile, and she made everyone feel welcome.”

A former student said in a post, “She was my favorite teacher. A few things about her: she loved the kids that had issues beyond what education could fix. Her quick wit would put out a sour mood and her Diet Coke tucked away in her desk drawer would push her through day after day. She taught many students that didn’t like school and didn’t want to be there. She listened, loved and gave great advice. “

Darlene Miller, 67: Darlene Miller was named among the victims of the weekend storms.

“Darlene Miller was one the most compassionate and giving [people] I know,” Joann Seals, who said she was Miller’s best friend, told the Herald-Leader. “She was a caregiver in a nursing home for about 40 years. She was caring, loving, funny and she was loved by so many.”

“She fed the hungry and she clothed the naked and she visited the sick. She did her best to help everyone she could. She was a Christian and she loved Jesus,” Seals said.

Tiffany Heim, 48: Tiffany Heim was a horticulturist most recently working as a manager in a wholesale nursery in Jackson County, where she was adored by the owners and employees, said her friend Shannon Herron Weaver.

Weaver said they would talk for hours, sometimes about problems in their lives, but before they wrapped up a conversation, Heim would ask, “Where did we find joy today?”

“She always looked for a way to stay positive,” said Weaver.

Heim died in her home on Hart Church Road in London when a tree fell on her house.

Services for Heim will be at 11 a.m. Friday in the Bowling Funeral Home with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. Friday until the service hour.

In lieu of flowers the family request memorial donations be made to the United Way of Laurel County with the memo line saying “Tornado Relief”; mail to PO Box 5004, London, Kentucky 40743. Donations may also be dropped off at any Community Trust Bank Location.

Kenneth Elliott, 63: Elliott and his girlfriend Lisa Fortney died when a suspected tornado hit their Laurel County apartment building, the Herald-Leader confirmed early Saturday.

Elliott’s niece, Sabrina Elliott, said in a Facebook post her uncle was a “quiet, kind soul.”

“A gentle presence with a goofy streak that made people smile. And now he’s gone --just like that. It doesn’t seem real,” she said in the post.

His nephew, David Elliott, also remembered him fondly.

“Kenny was a big family person, (a) really funny and loving man, he loved being outside,” David Elliott told the Herald-Leader.

“He also mowed yards for a living and adored animals,” David Elliott said.

Marshall Miracle, 25: Miracle is the youngest of the confirmed victims of Friday’s tornado. He died in a collapsed building while shelter with his family.

He leaves behind a son, Noah, who is almost 6, his mother Carla Hill told the Herald-Leader.

Miracle was known for his servant heart and was always ready to help others, his obituary, published Monday, reads. He was a man of the Holiness Faith.

A visitation for Miracle begins at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 21 at Bowling Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 22 at the funeral home.

Bobby, 76, and Bernice Tillman, 73: The Tillmans were also among the Laurel County victims.

“If they considered you to be family, you were blessed,” a friend said in a post on Facebook.

Their daughter, Heather Fries said they were found in their Wyan Road home, which was “completely gone.”

The Tillmans moved to Kentucky about 20 years ago when Bobby Tillman, 76, retired from Caterpillar Tractor Company in Aurora, Illinois. Bernice grew up in Kentucky, and they had lots of family in the area, Fries said.

“My dad is a naval veteran,” Fries told the Herald-Leader Wednesday. “He loved sweets and ate dessert first. He had a great sense of humor and it was absolutely hilarious when he got tickled and started laughing hard.”

Bernice, 73, was a homemaker. She loved her church family at Soujourn Baptist Church and her friends at Weight Watchers, Fries said.

“She loved to take walks and dote on her many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews,” her daughter said.

Funeral services for the couple will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, May 23 at Hart Funeral Home in Corbin with visitation beginning at noon.

Ray Cowan, 88: Cowan was identified Saturday night among the victims.

“I used to go to church with him,” friend Denise Jones said. “He was a kind and generous soul. He always had a smile and kind words. “

Jones said Cowan had been a pastor of a London church.

Lisa Fortney, 50: Katie Fortney told the Herald-Leader in a message Saturday morning that her mother, Lisa, was among those who died in the tornado in Laurel County along with boyfriend Kenneth Elliott.

“Above all, she was known for her unwavering work ethic and dedication—a true hard worker in every sense,” her daughter said.

Lisa Fortney was a lifelong resident of London, growing up in the heart of downtown, where she built memories and lasting connections.

“I would want people to remember her for her kind heart and her ability to do the best she could, no matter the circumstances. She loved her family deeply. Her compassion extended to all living creatures—she loved any animal that breathed,” Katie Fortney said.

The funeral service for Lisa Fortney will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Bowling Funeral Home Chapel. A visitation will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday until the funeral hour of 1 p.m. at Bowling Funeral Home.

The family has requested memorial donations be made, in her honor, to the United Way of Laurel County to assist with tornado relief. To donate, you may mail a check to P.O. Box 5004, London, KY 40743. Donations may also be dropped off at any Community Trust Bank location. Make checks out to the United Way of Laurel County with “Tornado Relief” in the memo line.

Roger Leslie Leatherman, 57: The Laurel County Fire Department confirmed Saturday afternoon one of its own, Maj. Roger Leslie Leatherman, was fatally injured while reportedly responding to a tornado in the area.

On Monday, officials confirmed that Leatherman died in the line of duty shielding his wife.

“Major Leatherman was a dedicated public servant for 39 years, answering the call to protect and help others in their critical time of need. His courage, commitment, and sacrifice will never be forgotten,” the department previously said in a Saturday Facebook post.

Laurel County Fire Department Chief Shane Lynch told the Herald-Leader Saturday he believed Leatherman was trying to respond to a neighbor’s home in Sunshine Hills when he died.

Leatherman’s wife, Michelle Leatherman, was critically injured. Her status had reportedly been upgraded to “serious” as of Friday, May 23.

His funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Monday, May 26 at Faith Assembly of God Church. The visitation will be at Faith Assembly of God Church from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Monday. London Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Linda Sweet, 72, and Gary Sweet, 71: Linda and Gary Sweet were a brother and sister who died when their Laurel County home was destroyed by a tornado, longtime family friend Sunni Allen said.

Linda and Gary had disabilities and lived together independently on Old Whitley Road with the help and support of family and friends, Allen told the Herald-Leader Tuesday.

“They were the kindest, nicest people you could have ever met in your entire life,” Allen said. “They were very humble, servants to the Lord.”

Everyone in the community knew the siblings, Allen said.

“Gary was an amazing artist. He could draw anything.”

They had lived for a number of years with their younger brother, Billy Sweet, who was injured in the tornado and is recovering at the UK Chandler Hospital, Allen said.

“He’s hurt, but he’s going to be OK,” said Allen. ‘It’s a miracle that Billy survived.”

London Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Pamela Mason, 67: Mason retired as a human resources specialist for the state Department of Juvenile Justice. She was a devoted member of Creek Church in London and a passionate supporter of the South Laurel High School Band, her obituary, published Monday by Bowling Funeral Home, reads.

Her daughter, Christie Scott, told the Herald-Leader she spent her final hour calling to check on neighbors ahead of Friday’s severe weather.

Mason found joy in keeping busy, whether it was through housework like cleaning or mowing, cooking for her family or taking her beloved dog, Buddy, to the dog park. She was an avid University of Kentucky basketball fan and was always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need, the obituary reads.

Her services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, May 23 at Bowling Funeral Home with visitation from noon until 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association or the Laurel County Animal Shelter. You can mail checks to 1697 Chris Hamlin Memorial Lane, London, KY 40744, the obituary said.

Melodie Godby, 68: Godby, of Somerset, died when the tornado hit a house in the Poplarville community on the the eastern side of Pulaski County, according to Strunk, the county coroner.

Strunk said the house where Godby was “exploded” during the storm. Her body was found in debris in her yard, he said.

Debra Edelman, 93: Russell County Coroner Mark Coots identified Edelman, of Richmond, Indiana, as the 19th victim Sunday afternoon.

Coots said Edelman was staying on her houseboat at State Boat Dock in Russell County when she died Saturday.

The electricity had been off as a result of storms that hit Russell County, Coots said. Edelman asked someone to turn on her generator Saturday morning, and she later died of carbon monoxide poisoning, according to preliminary findings.

The Herald-Leader is working to get more information and speak with the friends and family of all confirmed victims.

This story was originally published May 18, 2025 at 12:04 PM.