Area Deaths, Elliott County News, Friday, Apr 17, 1998

Submitted by Samone Ratcliff<samone@mis.net	
Oct 9, 1999

Rutha B. Skaggs Fannin, born May 26, 1904 and died Apr 8, 1998.  Preceded: hsuband, Elder Rufus A. 
Fannin, children, Willa Dean Fannin, C. Pearlman Fannin, Etna Fannin Branham, Esta Lou Fannin 
bowling, Rufus A. Fannin Jr., Cassie B. Fannin Breazel and Bryant Dewayne Fannin, parents, 
Cornelious and Mary Margaret Skaggs, brothers, Hubert Skaggs, Arnold Skaggs and Merdia Skaggs, 
sister, Nancy Fannin.  Survived: children, Mary Alice Fannin Branham, Carrie Ruth Fannin Roden, 
Daril A. Fannin, H. B. Fannin, Philip Fannin, Barton Fannin, Tony Fannin, Sherry Fannin Griffith, 
sister, Cassie Skaggs Oliver, several gc, g-gc, g-g-gc and g-g-g-gc.  Burial:  Apr 11, 1998 in the Skaggs 
Cemetery.

Beecher Gollihue, 79, of Willard, Carter Co, KY, born Nov 19, 1918 in Carter Co, KY, son of the late 
Sam and Allie Stevens Gollihue, died Apr 6, 1998 at his home.  Survived: wife, Loraine Holbrook 
Gollihue, daus, Louise Church, Gail Colley and Kathy LeMaster, sons, James Gollihue, Donnie 
Gollihue, Leonard Gollihue, Ellis Gollihue, Jessie Gollihue, Eddie Gollihue, Ronnie Gollihue and 
Charles Collihue, sister, Gloris Jean Berry, brothers, Beecher Cobert Gollihue, Basil Gollihue, Lewis 
Gollihue and Billy Gollihue, 33 gc, 16 g-gc.  Burial: Apr 8, 1998 in the Church Cemetery.

Pearlie Thornsberry, 94, of Sandy Hook, Elliott Co, KY, born Oct 10, 1903 in Elliott Co, dau of the late 
John and Mahallihan Kinster Cox, died apr 9, 1998 in Morehead, Rowan Co, KY.  Preceded: husband, 
Cecil Thornsberry, stepson, Hobart Thornsberry, daus, Minnie Thornsberry, Annie Skaggs, Arine 
Walker, Mabel Thornsberry and Lizzie Carroll, and 1 grandson.  Survived: daus, Louisa Ratliff, Dora 
Howard, Earnestine Skaggs, Mary McKinney and Maxine Cutwright, stepson, Clayton Thornsberry, 46 
gc, 81 g-gc, a considerable number of g-g-gc.  Burial: Apr 13, 1998 Kinster Cemetery, Stark, Elliott Co, 
KY.

Frank Eden, 87, of Morehead, Rowan Co, KY, born Sept 18, 1910 in Rowan Co, son of the late Lewis 
and Rhoda Tackett Eden, died Apr 7, 1998 in Flemingsburg, Fleming Co, KY.  Preceded: wife, Iva 
Conley Eden in 1961.  Survived: Several nieces and nephews.  Burial: Apr 9, 1998 at Trumbo Cemetery, 
Carter Co, KY.

Linda Vanhoose Hicks, 50, of Ashland, Boyd Co, KY, born June 9, 1947 in Louisa, Lawrence Co, KY, 
dau of Frances Daniels Vanhoose and the late Eugene Vanhoose, died Apr 10, 1998 in Ashland, KY.  
Survived: husband, Donald Hicks, brother, Harold Vanhoose, sister, Dottie Barney.  Burial: Apr 13, 
1998 in the Golden Oaks Cemetery, Ashland, KY.

Gracie Fraley, 89, of Stephens, Elliott Co, KY, born Feb 13, 1909 in Elliott Co, KY, dau of the late 
Milton and Rena Sparks Terry, died Apr 12, 1998 at her home.  Preceded: husband, Wallace W. Fraley 
in 1990, son, Tennyson Fraley, dau, Beatrice Fraley, brothers, Charles Terry, Chillis Terry and Allen 
Terry, sisters, Virgie Sparks, Opal Broomfield, Joyce Depriest, Della Fraley and Billie Terry.  Survived: 
sons, Rev. Bill Fraley and Rev. Carson Fraley, daus, Claris Shade, Faye Garrity, Opal Griffith and Della 
Adams, 17 gc, 36 g-gc, 14 g-g-gc.  Burial: Apr 15, 1998 in the Elliott County Memory Gardens, Sandy 
Hook, Elliott Co, KY.

Laura Elizabeth Ison, 81, of Grayson, Carter Co, KY, born Sept 12, 1917 in Carter Co, KY, dau of the 
late Charles and Linda Mobley Johnson, died Apr 12, 1998 in Grayson, KY.  Preceded: husband, Earsel 
Ison in 1971.  Survived: son, Kenny Gene Holbrook, brother, Jack Johnson, 1 gc.  Burial: Apr 15, 1998 
in the East Carter County Memory Gardens, Carter Co, KY.

James Henry Wells, 89, of Ashland, Boyd Co, KY, born Sept 23, 1908 in Carter Co, KY, son of the late 
Landon and Katie Wheeler Wells, died Apr 11, 1998 in Flatwoods, KY.  Preceded: wife, Fankie 
Elizabeth May Wells in 1992.  Survived: sons, Vernon B. Wells, sister, Lola Faye Tufts, 3 gc, 4 g-gc.  
Burial: Apr 14, 1998 in the East Ashland Memorial Gardens.

Charlie Stafford, 78, of Newfoundland, Elliott Co, KY, born apr 16, 1919 in Wayne, WV, son of the late 
John and maude Middle ton stafford, died apr 12, 1998 in Loraine, OH.  Preceded: wife, Willia Pearl 
Blevins Stafford, brothers, Ernest Stafford, John Henry Stafford and Frank Stafford, sisters, Elizabeth 
McCoy and Dolly Stafford.  Survived: dau, Rita Lynn Kemplin, son, Miles Kirby Stafford, brother, 
James Lee Stafford, sisters, Martha Blankenship and Carolyn Swarington, 3 gc, 2 g-gc.  Burial: Apr 15, 
1998 in the Elliott County Memory Gardens, Sandy Hook, Elliott Co, KY.

Ethel Maynard, 85, of Louisa, Lawrence Co, KY, born July 31, 1912 in Clifford, dau of the late James 
Kathryn Farr Fitzpatrick, died Apr 9, 1998 in Louisa, KY.  Preceded: husband, William Alvis Maynard 
in 1977.  Survived: daus, Virginia Frazier, Betty K. Horn, Marie Frazier, Hazelene Harrison and Shirley 
Whiting, son, Chester Armstrong, 13 gc, 17 g-gc, 3 g-g-gc.  Burial: Apr 11, 1998 in the Fitzpatrick 
Cemetery.

Wade Tomlin, 78, of Catlettsburg, KY, born Oct 4, 1919 in Lawrence Co, KY, son of the late John and 
Mary Hicks Tomlin, died Apr 6, 1998 in Franklin Furnace OH.  Preceded: sons, Harold David Wears 
and Willard M. Wears.  Survived: wife, Clara Marcum Wears Tomlin, dau, Robin Greer, 3 gc.  Burial: 
Apr 9, 1998 in the Marcum Cemetery, Catlettsburg, KY.

Amanda Gilllum Brown, 100, of Cannonsburg, KY, born May 15, 1897 in Elliott Co, KY, dau of the 
late Thomas Jefferson and Martha Ann Johnson Gillum, died Apr 11, 1998 in Flatwoods, KY.  
Preceded: husband, James Thurman Brown, son, Thomas J. Brown, daus, Helen Redman and Patricia 
Brown.  Survived: sons, James William Brown, Donald Jay Brown, daus, Juanita Howard, Rosemary 
Sponaugle and Dorothy Dillow, sister Rose Alexander, 17 gc, 17 g-gc, 5 g-g-gc.  Burial: Apr 14, 1998 in 
the Bellefonte Memorial Gardens, Flatwoods, KY.

Emogene Sammons, 68, of Gahanna, OH, formerly of Louisa, Lawrence Co, KY, born Aug 24, 1929 in 
Louisa, dau of the late Mont and Cora Robert York, died Apr 7, 1998 in Columbus, OH.  Preceded: 
husband, Harlon I. Sammons in 1996.  Survived: daus, Barbara L. Carleton, Anna L. Rookstool, 
Dorothy K. Michacchion and Patricia T. Jenkins, brother, Clifford York, sisters, Virginia Bailey, Helen 
Sammons and Dorothy Frye, 6 gc, 3 g-gc.  Burial; Apr 11, 1998 in the Greenlawn Cemetery, Louisa, 
KY.

John Thomas Steele, 59, of Grayson, Carter Co, KY, born Jan 10. 1939 in Carter Co, son of Gladys 
Knipp Steele and the late Roscoe Steele, died Apr 5, 1998 in Russell, KY.  Survived: brothers, Jack 
Steele, Ronnie Steele, Barry Steele, Terry Steele and Roscoe Steele, sisters, Gail Sparks, Hope Steele 
and Coleen Boltz, several nieces and nephews.  Burial: Apr 8, 1998 in the Edson Cemetery.

Martha Withrow Sparkman Butcher, 92, of Morehead, Rowan Co, KY, born Aug 3, 1905 in Morgan Co, 
KY, dau of the late Elisah and Luvinda McCallister Withthrow, died Apr 11, 1998 in Morehead, KY.  
Preceded: husbands, Virgil “Tom” Sparkman and John Butcher, dau, Joyce Peluso, 1 grandson.  
Survived: sons, Carl Sparkman and Garred Sparkman, dau, Judith Wellman, 9 gc, 9 g-gc.  Entombment: 
Apr 13, 1998 in the Forest Lawn Mausoleum, Morehead, KY.

Lindsey Chaffin, 83, of Catlettsburg, born Feb 25, 1915 in Louisa, Lawrence Co, KY, son of the late 
Noah and Mary Elizabeth Adams Chaffin, died Apr 5, 1998 in Ashland, Boyd Co, KY.  Survived: wife, 
Dorothy E. Roberts Chaffin, son, Danny Lee Chaffin, daus, Helen Marie Bergin, Janice Sue Perry, Janet 
Lou Meadows and Wanda Gail Stratton, sisters, Nola Lawson and Hazel May, 4 gc.  Burial: Apr 8, 1998 
in the Chaffin Cemetery, Lawrence Co, KY.  

Mary Ann Cain, 79, of Louisa, Lawrence Co, KY, born May 20, 1918 in Dickenson Co, VA, dau of the 
late Ben and Rose Hale, died Apr 7, 1998 in Louisa, KY.  Preceded: husband, Walter Cain.  Survived: 
sons, Porky Raines, Walter Cain Jr., Frank Raines, Fred Raines, Clinton Raines and Clarence Raines, 
daus, Patricia Maynard, Norma Jewell and Lou Riffe-Tackett, 19 gc.  Burial: Apr 10, 1998 in the Smith 
Cemetery, Inez, KY.

William “Willie” Clayton Johnson, 68, of Wallingford, KY, born June 26, 1929 in Rowan Co, KY, son 
of the late Riley and Virgie Caudill Johnson, died Apr 12, 1998 in Morehead, Rowan Co, KY.  
Survived: sons, Ricky Johnson, Roger Johnson, Randy Johnson, and Bruce Johnson, daus, Sue Baker, 
Sharon Findlay and Libby Adkins, brothers, Acie Johnson, Alfred Johnson and Bennie Johnson, sister, 
Minnie Caudill, 21 gc, 3 g-gc, special friend, Carolyn Johnson.  Burial:  Apr 14, 1998 in the Caudill 
Cemetery, Sharkey, Rowan Co, KY.

Audra Marie Bowen Butler, 79, of Morehead, Rowan Co, KY, born Dec 31, 1918 in Carter Co, KY, dau 
of the late Albert and Pearl Brown Bowen, died Apr 8, 1998 in Louisville, Jefferson Co, KY.  Preceded: 
husband, Noah Alvin Butler in 1979, son, James Alton Butler in 1996.  Survived: daus, Kay Jones and 
Faye Harris, brothers, Basil Bowen and Billy Bowen, 10 gc, 8 g-gc.  Burial: Apr 10, 1998 in the Patton 
Cemetery, Soldier, Carter Co, KY.

Murel M. Kelley Wright, 81, of Ashland, Boyd Co, KY, born Oct 26, 1916 in Webbville, KY, dau of the 
late Alonzo R. and Mary Rigsby Kelley, died Apr 7, 1998 in Ashland, Boyd Co, KY.  Preceded: 
husband, George Wright in 1988.  Survived: daus, Freda Parsons and Reba Justice, brothers, Arvil 
Kelley and Alva Glen Kelley, 5 gc, 10 g-gc.  Burial: Apr 10, 1998 in the Glenwood Cemetery.  

Opal May Fisher Burchett, 91, of Grayson, Carter Co, KY, born may 22, 1906 in Stone Branch, WV, 
dau of the late Jake and Chloe Gilliam Fisher, died Apr 8, 1998 in Ashland, Boyd Co, KY.  Preceded: 
husband, Orville Burchett.  Survived: sons, Lee Burchett, Paul Burchett and Ottis Burchett, daus, Wilma 
Jean Parker, Ines Bloomfield and Easie Chandler, several gc, g-gc, g-g-gc, and g-g-g-gc.  Burial: Apr 
11, 1998 in the Webb Cemetery.

Arvil Jennings, 79, of Morehead, Rowan Co, KY, born Aug 13, 1918 in Rowan Co, KY, son of the late 
Jesse and Ethel Mabry Jennings, died Apr 4, 1998 in Morehead.  Survived: wife, Ina Thornsberry 
Jennings, sons, Howard Jennings, Tilmon Jennings and Wilburn Jennings, dau, Frances Catron, sister 
Florence Thornsberry, 8 gc, 4 g-gc, also Kenneth Crisp and Wale Vance -both who were raised by Mr. 
Jennings’ father.  Burial: Apr 7, 1998 in the Brown Cemetery, Rowan Co, KY.

Mary V. Willis, 76, of South Shore, OH, formerly of Coal Grove, OH, born Nov 19, 1921 in Lawrence 
Co, KY, dau of the late Charles and Caroline Rowe Stephenson, died Apr 6, 1998 at St. Mary’s 
Hospital.  Preceded: husband Chester Howard Willis in 1973.  Survived: daus, Sharon Bryant and Carol 
Jean Freeman, sisters, Joyce Pickens and Betty Koukos, brothers, Carl Stephenson and Billy 
Stephenson, 7 gc, 10 g-gc.  Burial: Apr 9, 1998 in the Woodland Cemetery, Ironton, OH.

Roy M. “Orville” Waggoner, 74, of Grayson, Carter Co, KY, born March 12, 1924 in Grayson, son of 
the late Charles F. and Elsie Montgomery Waggoner, died Apr 6, 1998 at his home. Preceded: 1st wife, 
Bettie Felty Waggoner in 1981, sons, William Wayne Waggoner in 1995, daus, Jo Ann Waggoner in 
1954 and Renee “Twirpie” Williams in 1992.  Survived: wife, Yvonne “Sue” Wilson Waggoner, sons, 
Ed R. Waggoner, Bob Waggoner, Roy “Junior” Waggoner, Hobart Waggoner, Phillip Roark and Tony 
Williams, daus, Judy Leach, Jackie Mullins, Jean Shiplett Adams, Charlene Jacobs and Carla Jacobs, 
brothers, Clyde “Pete” Waggoner, Bill Waggoner and Howard Waggoner, sisters, Joy Conley, Pauline 
Gravel and Donna Sue Gee, 19 gc, 8 g-gc.  Burial: Apr 9, 1998 in the East Carter County Memory 
Gardens, Carter Co, KY.

Marzetta Bennett, 49, of Olive Hill, Carter Co, KY, born Aug 17, 1948 in Carter Co, dau of the late Ed 
and Gladys Binion Smith, died Apr 6, 1998 in Morehead, Rowan Co, KY. Survived: sons, Shane 
Bennett, step-mother, Avanell Smith, brothers, Gene Smith and Jim Smith, sister, Loretta Soward, step-
brother, Clifford Ray Carroll, special friend, Bernita Lowe.  Burial: Apr 9, 1998 in the Carroll Cemetery.

Ralph “Red” Leverett, 87, of Louisa, Lawrence Co, KY, born Nov 26, 1910 in Anderson , SC, son of the 
late Thomas Leverett, died Apr 5, 1998 in Louisa. Survived: wife, Edna Fraley Thompson Leverett, 
daus, Peggy Nelson, Patty Cook and Bessie Chandler, son, Jimmy Leon Thompson, 6 gc, 2 g-gc.  
Burial: Apr 7, 1998 in the Greenlawn Cemetery.

Libby Lemore “Nora” Sparkman Cooper Beair Gregory, 85, of Morehead, Rowan Co, KY, born Nov 2, 
1912 in Rowan Co, KY, dau of the late Mose and Bertha Lee Richardson Sparkman, died Apr 4, 1998 in 
Morehead, KY.  Preceded: husbands, Vernon Giles Cooper Sr., Ora Beair and Allen Gregory.  Survived: 
son, Vernon Giles Cooper Jr., sister, Marie Thomas, 2 gc, 5 g-gc, 4 g-g-gc.  Burial: Apr 7, 1998 in the 
Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, Morehead, KY.

Jay York Sr., 78, of Worthington, KY, born Jan 10, 1920 in Louisa, Lawrence Co, KY, son of the late 
James and Belle Fraley York, died Apr 8, 1998 in Russell, KY.  Preceded: wife, Mary York, sons, Jay 
York Jr. and Ed Wheeler.  Survived: Mary Williamson York, daus, Sandra Burroughs, Judy Woods and 
Jean Ann Caudill, sons, Jack York, Curt York and Jim Rose, brother, Ken York, 26 gc, 18 g-gc.  Burial: 
Apr 10, 1998 in the Bellefonte Memorial Gardens, Flatwoods, KY.  

Opal DeBord Adkins, 82, of Portsmouth, OH, born Dec 7, 1915 in Carter Co, KY, dau of the late 
Leonard Tabor and Martha Baker Tabor, died Apr 5, 1998 in her home.  Preceded: husband, Ossie M. 
DeBord in 1979.  Survived: husband, Homer Adkins, stepmother, Tommi Tabor, son, Ogden “Bud” 
Zornes, daus, Juanita Wadsworth and Sybil Dupuy, 6 stepchildren, brothers, Rev. Lee Tabor, Leonard 
Tabor Jr. and Ronnie Tabor, sisters, Macine Brown, Geneva Perog and Lucille McGinnis, several gc and 
g-gc.  Burial: Apr 8, 1998 in the Sunset Cemetery, Quincy, OH.

Lela Kouns Easterling, 79, of Grayson, Carter Co, KY, born Apr 8, 1919 in Reedville, dau of the late J. 
P. and Nora Rice Kouns, died Apr 9, 1998 in Grayson.  Preceded: husband, Jack Easterling in 1982, son, 
Joseph Easterling in 1980.  Survived: daus, Louise Bush and Jo Ann Frazier, sons, Foud Houck, sisters, 
Elsie Stidham and Beulah Hunnicutt, brothers, Ford Kouns, Charles Kouns and Gaylord Kouns, 6 gc, 11 
g-gc.  Burial: Apr 11, 1998 in the Grayson Memorial Burial Park, Carter Co, KY.

Teresa Goble, 40, of West Van Lear, KY, born July 4, 1957 in Lawrence Co, KY, dau of the late Paul 
and Roberta Lemaster, died Apr 7, 1998 in Lexington, Fayette Co, KY.  Survived, husband, Sheldon 
Goble, dau, Amanda Goble, brothers, Paul Michael Lemaster and Rick Lemaster, sister, Melissa Tuttle.  
Burial: Apr 11, 1998 in the Highland Memorial Park, Staffordsville, KY.  

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