Obituaries from the Appalachian News-Express of Pike Co., Ky ********************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net Transcribed by: Gloria R. gloriag@iwaynet.net Date: Feb 1999 *********************************************************************** February 14, 1999 Lurlie (Thacker) Thompson Lurlie Marie Thacker Thompson, 58, of Virgie, died Tuesday, Feb. 9, 1999, at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington. She was born July 7, 1940, a daughter of the late Miles and Gurtie Smith Thacker. She was a homemaker. She is survived by two sons, Jimmy Ray Thompson of Virgie and Brian Keith Thompson of Elkhorn City; two daughters, Janet Donathan of Virgie, Rae Lynn Newcomb of Shelbiana, Patricia Gail Trivette of Island Creek; three brothers, Clifton Thacker and Robert E. Thacker, both of Upper Chloe Creek, John Paul Thacker of Helena, Ohio; five sisters, Ersie Billiter of Lower Chloe Creek, Lillian Gail Thacker of Virgie, Patty Thompson of Robinson Creek, Justine Rogers and Jean Thompson, both of Upper Chloe Creek; and 11 grandchildren. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, in the Thacker Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with Delbert Owens and others officiating. Burial followed in the Justice Cemetery at Ivy Fork, Chloe Creek. Arrangements were under direction of Thacker Memorial Funeral Home of Pikeville. Wilson Newsom Wilson Newsom, 66, of Jonancy, died Wednesday, Feb. 10, 1999, at his home. He was born at Robinson Creek, April 19, 1932, a son of the late Duran and Lula Flanery Newsom. He was a retired coal miner formerly employed by Coleman Coal Company. He is survived by his wife, Hazel Mullins Newsom; two sons, Charles W. Newsom of New York and Roger Darrell Newsom of Pennsylvania; two daughters, Karen West of Caney Road and Glenda Lowe of Shelby Gap; one brother, Jessie Newsom of Pikeville; two sisters, Bertha Scott of Pikeville and Lillie Branham of West Virginia; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at noon Sunday, Feb. 14, at the Bethel Freewill Baptist Church at Virgie with Bethel Freewill Baptist ministers officiating. Burial will follow in the Newsom Cemetery, Penny Road, Virgie. Arrangements are under direction of Lucas & Hall Funeral Home of Pikeville. Virginia Lorrene (Fields) Cox Virginia Lorrene Cox, 65, of Phelps, died Thursday, Feb. 11, 1999, at the South Williamson Appalachian Regional Hospital. She was born March 1, 1933, a daughter of Lily Duty Fields of Peter Fork and the late Opal Fields. She was a homemaker and of the Pentecostal faith. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Cox; and one son, James Randall Gooslin. Besides her mother, she is survived by three sons, Artis Edward Gooslin and Michael Gooslin, both of Freeburn, Ronnie Dale Gooslin of Fremont, Ohio; two daughters, Teresa Layne of Phelps and Lois Cox of Freeburn; three brothers, Opal Fields Jr. of Lorain, Ohio, Terry Fields of McCarr, Raven Fields of Sandusky, Ohio; and two sisters, Josephine Hager and Nyoka Burgess, both of McCarr. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14, at the Gooslin Bottom Pentecostal Church with Benny Freeman, Kenny Chapman, DeWitt Furrow, Alex Fields Jr. and Jerry Hedrick officiating. Burial will follow in the family cemetery on Peter Fork at Blackberry. Arrangements are under direction of Phelps Funeral Services of Phelps. William C. Woofter William Clinton Woofter, 82, of Lexington, formerly of Pikeville, died at 1:30 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 31, 1999, at St. Joseph Hospital Hospice Care Center, Lexington. He was born in Weston, W.Va., a son of the late Andrew E. and Nancy Flesher Woofter. He was a retired gas and oil well contractor and an employee of the Kentucky Transportation Department for 17 years. He was a member of Trinity Hill United Methodist Church, El Hasa Shrine Temple of Ashland, Chapter and Commandry of Blue Lodge, Pikeville, and a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge in Weston. He and his family lived on Stratton Street in Pikeville before moving to Lexington. He is survived by his wife, Chloteel Tatum Woofter; four sons, William C. Woofter II and Andrew E. Woofter, both of Louisville, Thomas E. Woofter of Falmouth, Richard T. Woofter of Spartanburg, S.C.; one sister, Martha Hall of Covina, Calif.; eight grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Funeral services were held at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 2, at W.R. Milward Mortuary-Southland with Dr. Steven Drury and the Rev. Morgan Peterson officiating. Burial followed in the Masonic Cemetery in Weston, W.Va. Arrangements were under direction of W.R. Milward Mortuary-Southland of Lexington. Raymond Blair Raymond Augustine Blair, 67, of Pikeville, died Friday, Feb. 12, 1999, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital. He was born in Floyd County, Aug. 27, 1931, a son of Beatrice Daugherty Blair Pryor of Mossy Bottom and the late Claude S. Blair. He was preceded in death by one sister, Betty Lou Blackburn. Besides his mother, he is survived by one brother, James R. Blair of Erlanger; one sister, Deloris Ann Scherer of Pikeville; two nieces and two nephews. He was disabled, and a member of the Freewill Baptist Church for 22 years. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 15, at the Boldman Freewill Baptist Church with Belmont Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in the Blair Family Cemetery at Mossy Bottom. Arrangements are under direction of J.W. Call & Son Funeral Home of Pikeville. Mack Robinson Mack Robinson, 86, of Harold, died at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, 1999, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital. He was born in Pike County, May 21, 1912, a son of the late Willie and Icie Coleman Robinson. He was a retired coal miner formerly employed by Republic Steel, a member of United Mine Workers of America Local 8045, and a member of the Regular Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife, June Green Robinson; one son, Rell Robinson of Elkhorn City; two daughters, Wilma Hamilton of Catlettsburg and Velma Hamilton of Harold; three brothers, Lee Robinson of Wolfpit, Douglas Robinson and Willie Robinson Jr., both of Elkhorn City; three sisters, Addie May, Hazel Adkins and Mageline Adkins, all of Wolfpit; 10 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 14, in the J.W. Call & Son Funeral Home Chapel with Jim Green May, Jimmie Dale Sanders, Monroe Jones and others officiating. Burial will follow in Johnson Memorial Park, Pikeville. Arrangements are under direction of J.W. Call & Son Funeral Home of Pikeville. James Meadows James Allen "Killer" Meadows, 39, of Langley, died Thursday, Feb. 11, 1999, at his home. He was born in Martin, Dec. 14, 1959, a son of Loretta Manuel Meadows of Langley and the late Ora "Duck" Meadows. He was a loader operator employed by Jim Branham Trucking. Besides his mother, he is survived by one son, Allen Edward Meadows of Pikeville; one daughter, Patricia Meadows of Martin; four brothers, Danny Meadows of Langley, Bobby Meadows of Wayland, Teddy Meadows of Whitesburg, Earl Vernon Meadows of Akron, Ohio; and three sisters, Linda Meadows of Langley, Kathy Prater of Hueysville, Marena Runyon of Pikeville. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14, in the Hall Funeral Home Chapel with Johnny Blair and Ted Shannon officiating. Burial will follow in Davidson Memorial Gardens at Ivel. Arrangements are under direction of Hall Funeral Home of Martin. Marie (Lowe) Blackburn Marie Lowe Blackburn, 92, a resident of Mountain Manor Nursing Home, Pikeville, died Friday, Feb. 12, 1999, at Mountain Manor. She was born at Pond Creek, July 23, 1906, a daughter of the late Joseph and Lydia Hunt Lowe. She was a homemaker and a member of the Bent Branch Old Regular Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Alex C. Blackburn, former Pike County high sheriff; one son, Tennyson Blackburn; and one daughter, Dainese Blackburn Emody. She is survived by one son, Alfred C. Blackburn of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; three daughters, Winogene Toler of Arlington, S.C., Yvonne Gillespie of Simpsonville, S.C., Dalphine Nelson of Vienna, W.Va.; 12 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15, in the Lucas & Hall Funeral Home Chapel with Billy Williamson officiating. Burial will follow in the Blackburn Family Cemetery at Meta. Arrangements are under direction of Lucas & Hall Funeral Home of Pikeville. Marion (Koune) Chill Marion Koune Chill, 85, of Des Plaines, Ill., died at 1 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, 1999, at Holy Family Medical Center in Des Plaines. She was born in Chicago, Feb. 9, 1914. She was a retired licensed practical nurse formerly employed by the Little Company of Mary, St. Joseph's Hospital and St. Anne's Hospital, all in Chicago. She was preceded in death by her husband, William G. Chill. She is survived by one son, Don P. Chill of Pikeville; one daughter, Patricia Kessl of Mt. Prospect, Ill.; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 14, at St. Francis of Assisi Church, Pikeville, and at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 15, at St. Emily's Church in Mt. Prospect. Rudy Hylton Rudy Hylton, 66, of Ashcamp, died at 9:35 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12, 1999, at his home. He was born in Pike County, June 24, 1932, a son of the late Linza Hylton and Alice Trout. He was a trucker, a member of the Poor Bottom Freewill Baptist Church, and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. He is survived by his wife, Flora Rowe Hylton; one son, Donnie Lewis of Franklin, N.C.; one daughter, Lana Gale Little of Robinson Creek; one brother, Pat Hylton; one sister, Ethel Smallwood; 10 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Funeral services will be held at noon, Monday, Feb. 15, in the Poor Bottom Freewill Baptist Church, with Edgar Sanders, Ricky Ratliff, and Richard Gibson officiating. Burial will follow in the Annie E. Young Cemetery, East Shelbiana. Arrangements are under direction of Thacker Memorial Funeral Home of Pikeville. Special services will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday. February 19, 1999 Prentice Ray Maynard Prentice Ray Maynard, 51, of Turkey Creek, died Tuesday, Feb. 16, 1999, at the South Williamson Appalachian Regional Hospital. He was born at Turkey Creek, May 4, 1947, a son of Christopher and Eunice Muncy Maynard of Turkey Creek. He is survived by two brothers, James A. Maynard and Paul E. Maynard, both of Turkey Creek. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, in the Hatfield Funeral Home Chapel with Jacob Cline, Quincy Stroud and Darrell Damron officiating. Burial followed in the Caney Cemetery at Laura. Arrangements were under direction of Hatfield Funeral Chapel of Toler. Dorthy (Ratliff) Staton Dorthy Ratliff Staton, 95, of Port Arthur, Texas, formerly of Forest Hills, died Wednesday, Feb. 10, 1999, at her home. She was born at Forest Hills. She was a charter member of the First Baptist Church in Forest Hills and an active participant at Trinity Baptist Church in Port Arthur. She was preceded in death by her husband, Perry A. Staton; one daughter, Doris Pinson of Forest Hills. She is survived by two sons, David H. Staton of Alvin, Texas, and Perry E. Staton of Nederland, Texas; six daughters, Gerry Harris of Port Acres, Texas, Gloria Little of Jacksboro, Texas, Mary Odom of Houston, Texas, Jeannie Johnson, Alice Carolyn and Joyce Saba, all of Port Arthur; and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, at Clayton Thompson Funeral Home with the Rev. Dr. Burns of Trinity Baptist Church officiating. Burial followed in Greenlawn Cemetery. Arrangements were under direction of Clayton Thompson Funeral Home of Port Arthur. Dewey E. Smith Dewey E. Smith, 55, of Phelps, died Monday, Feb. 15, 1999, at Phelps. He was born July 7, 1943, a son of the late Charlie and Almeda Smith. He is survived by his wife, Carol Lou Smith of Phelps; three sons, Brian Smith, Gary Smith and Glenn Smith, all of Phelps; one brother, Bobby Smith of Phelps; and four sisters, Betty Smith, Helen Smith, Ethel Smith and Wilma Smith, all of West Liberty. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 19, at the Peter Creek Primitive Baptist Church at Phelps with Elders Jimmy Smith, Mike Casey and Everett Brizendine officiating and burial following in the J.R. Smith Cemetery, Smith Fork, Phelps. Arrangements are under direction of R.S. Jones & Son Funeral Home-Phelps Chapel of Phelps. Ersel Ratliff Ersel Ratliff, 71, of Mooresburg, Tenn., formerly of Marrowbone, died Tuesday, Feb. 16, 1999, in Knoxville, Tenn. He was born in Pike County, July 24, 1927, a son of the late David and Arminta Maynard Ratliff. He is survived by one brother, Oel Duty of Texas; and one sister, Thelma Chester of Kentucky. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 19, at the Marrowbone Missionary Baptist Church with Roger Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in the Buddy Ratliff Cemetery at Poor Bottom. Arrangements are under direction of Bailey Funeral Home of Elkhorn City. Jane (Bowersock) Kinney Jane Bowersock Kinney, 78, of Greasy Creek Road, Shelbiana, died Wednesday, Feb. 17, 1999, at Mountain Manor Nursing Home in Pikeville. She was born at Shelby, April 11, 1920, a daughter of the late Laura Goff Bowersock. She was a homemaker and member of the Greasy Creek Old Regular Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Foster Kinney. She is survived by one son, Arkie Kinney of Greasy Creek; two brothers, Clarence Bowersock and Edward Bowersock, both of Shelbiana; two grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Funeral services will be held at noon Friday, Feb. 19, at the Greasy Creek Old Regular Baptist Church with Old Regular Baptist ministers officiating. Burial will follow in the Jake Kinney Cemetery, Dry Fork, Shelbiana. Arrangements are under direction of Lucas & Hall Funeral Home of Pikeville. Lola June (Swinney) Clevinger Lola June Clevinger, 77, of Antwerp, Ohio, formerly of Pike County, died at 12:10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17, 1999, at Paulding County Hospital in Paulding, Ohio. She was born at Draffin, March 1, 1921, a daughter of the late James and Caroline Coleman Swinney. She was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Chester Lee Clevinger. She is survived by three sons, Carl Ellis Clevinger and Dwyane Allen Clevinger, both of Antwerp, Bronson Lee Clevinger of Pikeville; two daughters, Joyce Coleman and Donna Ramsier, both of Antwerp; three brothers, Johnny Swinney of Mt. Sterling, Mack Swinney of Elkhorn City, Gobel Swinney of Draffin; four sisters, Anna Ray Compton of Prestonsburg, Irene Ward of Elkhorn City, Ruth Shuman of Portland, Maine, Patricia Belcher of Franklin, Ohio; 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 21, in the Lucas & Hall Funeral Home Chapel with Ronald Coleman officiating and burial following in the Clevinger Family Cemetery, Marrowbone Creek. Arrangements are under direction of Lucas & Hall Funeral Home of Pikeville. Canoy Branham Canoy Branham, 77, of Chloe Road, Pikeville, died Tuesday, Feb. 16, 1999, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital. He was born at Mill Branch Hollow in Pike County, March 28, 1921, a son of the late Wilburn and Elizebeth Coleman Branham. He was a retired coal miner formerly employed by Audy Stewart Coal Company; a United States Army veteran; and a member of the Marrowbone Missionary Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, JoAnn Green Branham; and one daughter, Patricia Ann Stewart. He is survived by four daughters, Terri L. Childers of Chloe Road, Jennifer Maynard, Tabitha D. Branham and Lisa Branham, all of Marrowbone Creek Road; and three grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19, at the Marrowbone Missionary Baptist Church with Roger Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in the Annie E. Young Cemetery, East Shelbiana. Arrangements are under direction of Lucas & Hall Funeral Home of Pikeville. Kelpie (Maynard) Young Kelpie Young, 89, of Harold, died at 4:45 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17, 1999, at Mountain Manor Nursing Home in Pikeville. She was born in Pike County, Dec. 27, 1909, a daughter of the late Robert and Sarah Jane Conn Maynard. She was a homemaker and a member of the Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin Young. She is survived by one daughter, Joan Cooper of Harold; three grandchildren, Edward Webb, Diana Kay Preston and Kenneth Webb; and four great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, in the J.W. Call & Son Funeral Home Chapel with burial following in the Ferguson Cemetery, Harold. Arrangements are under direction of J.W. Call & Son Funeral Home of Pikeville. Barbara (Lafferty) Morrison Barbara Lafferty Morrison, 56, of Marquette, Mich., died Saturday, Feb. 13, 1999, in Marquette. She was born at Edgar, May 15, 1942, a daughter of Johnnie Lafferty of Prestonsburg and the late Dottie Lafferty. She was a seamstress employed by the Nip & Tuck Alterations, a member of Order of Eastern Star, and the Gwinn United Methodist Church. She is survived by her stepmother, Maggie Lafferty; her husband, Robert Morrison; two sons, Robert Lee Morrison of New Mexico and Steven Matthew Morrison of Gwinn, Mich.; three sisters, Earnistine Wynn of California, Linda Kay Wallen of Prestonsburg, Diana Joyce Crace of Indiana; and two stepgrandchildren. Funeral services were held at noon Thursday, Feb. 18, at the Gwinn United Methodist Church with the Rev. Jackie Roe officiating. Burial will be in a family cemetery in Warren, Ohio, at noon Monday, Feb. 22. Arrangements are under direction of Swanson-Lunderquist Funeral Home Inc. of Marquette. Obituary courtesy of Thacker Memorial Funeral Home of Pikeville. Tony Wright Tony Wright, 59, of Lawndale, Calif., died Sunday, Feb. 7, 1999. He was born at Virgie, Oct. 10, 1939. He was retired from Rockwell International after 30 years, and was a U.S. Army veteran. He is survived by his stepmother, Juanita; his wife, Betty Wright; one son, David; one daughter, Julie; two brothers, Jerry Wright and Timothy Wright; three sisters, Jacqueline McAlister, Josephine Whitney, Emogene Cothran; three half-sisters; two stepsisters; and two grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 22, in the Rolling Hills Covenant Funeral Home, North Chapel, Rolling Hills Estates, Calif. Mary (Adkins) Osborne Mary Osborne, 90, of Jonancy, died Wednesday, Feb. 17, 1999, at Parkview Nursing and Rehab Center, Robinson Creek. She was born Feb. 12, 1909, a daughter of the late Henry and Nannie Adkins. She was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lee Osborne; and five sons, Norman Osborne, Burnice Osborne, Hubert Osborne, Lawrence Osborne, and Jimmy Osborne. She is survived by one son, Fred Osborne of Quincy, Mich.; one daughter, Helen Bartley King of Homer, Mich.; one brother, Henry Adkins of Ypsilanti, Mich.; one sister, Kathelene Greer; 12 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and a host of great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19, in the Virgie Chapel, with Regular Baptist ministers officiating. Burial will follow in the Preston Osborne Cemetery, Jonancy. Arrangements are under direction of R.S. Jones & Son Funeral Home-Virgie Chapel of Virgie.