Mrs. Lela D. Potter, 92, of Barbourville, passed away Wednesday morning, November 26, 2025 at the Barbourville Health and Rehabilitation Center.  She was the daughter of the late James Douglas Gregory and Lela Jones Gregory Simmons.

Lela worked in hotel food management as a restaurant supervisor and was a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses.  She had an excellent memory and was a master in listening and giving advice.  You could talk to her about anything.  She listened carefully and spoke from a spiritual perspective, always calm and reassuring.  She loved her family and showed love in so many ways.  She loved freely and never hesitated to give whatever she could and she was always available with an open heart.  Lela knew how to shop and spot a bargain and was a resource for family history, recipes and so much more.  She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

On August 7, 1952, she united in marriage with Toney Potter, who preceded her in death.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by siblings, Chamus, Alec, Amos, Winston, Ray, Garmen, Kenneth, Albert, Luverda, Margaret, Ann and Jane and great nephew, Jonathan.

Survivors include her loving brother, Warren Gregory of Columbus, OH; two nieces, Joann Mays of Harrodsburg and Jacqueline Pryor of Cleveland, OH; great nieces, Renee Brown of Cleveland, OH and Jakeba Carter and husband, George, of Cleveland, OH; sisters-in-law, Dora Mae Harper of Barbourville and Brenda Rae of Charlotte, NC; among many other nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins and dear friends who will cherish her memory.

Her funeral service will be conduced in the chapel of the Knox Funeral Home Tuesday, December 2 at 12 Noon with Bro. Dennis Herzina officiating.  She will be laid to rest in the Rosenwald Cemetery.

Casket bearers will be family and friends.  Serving as an honorary bearer will be Pastor Thomas A. Simmons.

Friends may visit at the funeral home Tuesday after 11 A.M. until the funeral hour.

In lieu of flowers, donations may go to the Kingdom Hall of Jevoah’s Witnesses in her memory.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Knox Funeral Home.

Send a condolence to the family of  LELA D. POTTER.

For questions about our obituaries or condolence service, please contact us. You may reach us via e-mail at knoxfuneralhome@barbourville.com. Reach us via phone by calling 606-546-2222.