Obituary - Appalachian News-Express, Pike County, Ky, Dec 1998 ********************************************************************** 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: Dec 1998 *********************************************************************** December 2, 1998 Harold Ray "Whitey" Blackburn, 67, of Detroit, formerly of Pike County, died Monday, Nov., 30, 1998, at Oakwood General Hospital, Dearborn, Mich. He was born at Meta, June 27, 1931, a son of the late John and Victoria Sparks Blackburn. He was a retired welder formerly employed by Michigan Boilers, a member of Michigan Boiler Makers Union, a U.S. Army veteran, and a member of the Brushy Baptist Mission. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Zella Blackburn. He is survived by his wife, June Sousa Blackburn; two sons, John W. Blackburn of Detroit and Mike Blackburn of Meta; three sisters, Peggy Whitt of Richmond, Donna Vanover of Prestonsburg, Barbara Watkins of Dearborn; four brothers, Joe Blackburn and John T. Blackburn, both of Meta, Claude Blackburn of Bronson, Fla., Donnie Blackburn of Ramona, Calif.; two sisters, Blanche Justice of Richmond and Lucille Looney of Brownstown, Mich.; eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, at the Meta Baptist Mission with John George Blackburn officiating. Burial will follow in the Bent Ridge Cemetery at Meta. Arrangements are under direction of Lucas & Hall Funeral Home of Pikeville. Pallbearers are Denny Blackburn, Chris Blackburn, Reggie Blackburn, Billy Joe Blackburn, Johnny Little, Anthony Bevins, Andy Blackburn and Greg Compton. Elder Fon V. Bowling, 89, of Marrowbone, died Monday, Nov. 30, 1998, at Parkview Manor Nursing Home. He was born at Bowling Fork, Jan. 17, 1909, a son of the late Kenis F. and Dolly Francisco Bowling. He was a retired coal miner formerly employed by Republic Steel, a member of United Mine Workers of America and a member of the Samaria Old Regular Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lois Hunt Bowling; and one son, Homer M. Bowling. He is survived by two sons, Harold D. Bowling of Regina and Howard K. Bowling of Maringo, Ohio; one daughter, Burma Sturgill of Wolfpit; one brother, Jim Bob Bowling of Elkhorn City; four sisters, Nell Blevins of Fort Pierce, Fla., Louise Ratliff of Adamsville, Tenn., Sue Bartley of Pikeville, Sally J. Bowling of Elkhorn City; six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at noon Friday, Dec. 4, at the Samaria Old Regular Baptist Church with Howard Coleman, Jimmy Dale Sanders, Mitch Coleman and others officiating. Burial will follow in the Coleman Cemetery at Wolfpit. Arrangements are under direction of Lucas & Hall Funeral Home of Pikeville. Special services will be held at 7 p.m. nightly. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Samaria Old Regular Baptist Church. Ray M. Belcher, 79, of Elkhorn City, died Sunday, Nov. 29, 1998, at his home. He was born in Pike County, Nov. 13, 1919, a son of the late Vinson A. and Louisa Potter Belcher. He was a retired coal miner and bookkeeper and a World War II Army veteran and prisoner of war. He is survived by one son, Phillip Gary Belcher of Saline, Mich.; three daughters, Annie Loy Mills of Lexington, Sylvia Faye McAlister of Fayetteville, Tenn., Jenny Gail Boatright of Greenville, S.C.; one sister, Bessie Ramey of Elkhorn City; one half-brother, Dempsey Belcher of Colorado Springs, Colo.; one half-sister, Reebel Short of Jonesboro, Ill.; one stepbrother, James Rose of Lick Creek; two stepsisters, Betty Edmunds of Elkhorn City and Virginia Martin of Lexington; eight grand-children and several great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1, in the Bailey Funeral Home Chapel with Billy Ford officiating. Burial followed in the Annie E. Young Cemetery at East Shelbiana. Arrangements were under direction of Bailey Funeral Home of Elkhorn City. Cecil Justice, 79, of Upper Chloe Creek, Pikeville, died at 8:28 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29, 1998, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital. He was born in Pike County, July 4, 1919, a son of the late George M. and Lora Lowe Justice. He was a retired coal miner, a member of United Mine Workers of America Local 8045, a World War II Army veteran, and a member of the Church of God. He is survived by his wife, Ella Adams Justice; two daughters, Doloris (Mrs. Gary) Thacker of Pikeville and Norma Jean (Mrs. David) Allen of Frankfort; five brothers, Clinton Justice of Elkhorn City, Samuel Justice of Chapmanville, W.Va., Arvil Justice of Utica, Ohio, Arthur Justice of Columbia Station, Ohio, Roscoe Justice of Vermilion, Ohio; two sisters, Gladys Farris of Pikeville and Cretia Sawyers of Lick Creek; and four grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2, in the Justice Funeral Home Chapel with Ray Sayers officiating. Burial will follow in the Annie E. Young Cemetery at East Shelbiana. Arrangements are under direction of Justice Funeral Services of Pikeville. Graveside UMWA rites will be conducted. Gussie Lee Cole, 47, of Toler Creek, died at 12:25 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, 1998, at Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington. He was born in Pike County, Sept. 8, 1951, a son of Leona Rich Mullins of Robinson Creek and Acie Cole of Shelbiana. He was a carpenter. He is survived by three sons, Jeff David of Concord, N.C., Scottie Lee of Kimper and Ryan Keith of Mare Creek; one sister, Aileen Spears of Shelbiana; one grandchild; and his companion, Reginia Burton of Toler. Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1, in the J.W. Call & Son Funeral Home Chapel with Windell Hamilton officiating. Burial followed in the Tackett Cemetery at Island Creek. Arrangements were under direction of J.W. Call & Son Funeral Home of Pikeville. Epp McCoy, 87, of McAndrews, died Monday, Nov. 30, 1998, at Williamson Memorial Hospital in Williamson, W.Va. He was born in Pike County, Jan. 22, 1911, a son of the late John B. and Polly McCoy. He was a retired coal miner and a member of the Octavia Freewill Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife, Katie McCoy; three sons, Paul E. May of Alabama, Edward "Bub" McCoy of Columbus, Ohio, Dexter McCoy of Huntington, W.Va.; three daughters, Epileana Blackburn of Quantico, Va., Delcie Hatfield of McAndrews, Lana Jewell; 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2, at the Octavia Freewill Baptist Church with Gerria Reynolds and Buddy Kendrick officiating. Burial will follow in Mountain View Memory Gardens at Huddy. Arrangements are under direction of Rogers Funeral Home of Belfry. Pallbearers are Rodney Williams, Freddie Williams and Mikey Brandon Ray. Melissa "Missy" Ann Newman, 26, of Betsy Layne, died Wednesday, Nov. 25, 1998, at Highlands Regional Medical Center, Prestonsburg. She was born in Paintsville, Sept. 11, 1972, a daughter of Gene Edward and Phyllis Ann Tackett of Betsy Layne. She was a sales clerk at Dawahares in Pikeville and a member of the Boldman Freewill Baptist Church at Harold. She is survived by her husband, Randy Newman; two sons, Zachary Clay Newman and Chase Newman, both of Betsy Layne; one brother, Keith Edward Tackett of Betsy Layne; her maternal grandmother, Elwanda Salyer of Paintsville; and her paternal grandmother, Nina Grigsby. Funeral services were held at noon Saturday, Nov. 28, at the Boldman Freewill Baptist Church with Belmont Johnson and Lowell King officiating. Burial followed in Davidson Memorial Gardens at Ivel. Arrangements were under direction of Hall Funeral Home of Martin. Willis "Grandpa" Dotson, 83, of Ransom, died Sunday, Nov. 29, 1998, at the Appalachian Regional Hospital in South Williamson. He was born in Pike County, April 18, 1915, a son of the late Andy and Viola Wolford Dotson. He was a retired coal miner, a member of United Mine Workers of America Local 1440 and a member of the Primitive Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jane Smith Dotson. He is survived by four sons, Jack Dotson of Richmond, Va., Leon Dotson of Virgie, Jim Dotson and George Dotson, both of Ransom; one daughter, Linda Lou Whitt of Ransom; one brother, Dennis Dotson of Ransom; one sister, Ocie Dotson Coleman of Ransom; 17 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1, in the Hatfield Funeral Home Chapel with Elders Paul Varney, Don Hatfield and Mike Smith officiating. Burial followed in the Hager Cemetery at Old House Branch, Ransom. Arrangements were under direction of Hatfield Funeral Chapel of Toler. George Charles Jr., 80, of Vero Beach, Fla., died Saturday, Nov. 28, 1998, at the Veterans Administration Hospital in West Palm Beach, Fla. He was born in McVeigh, July 20, 1918, and moved to Vero Beach 24 years ago, from Greenup. He was a nightwatchman for Indian River Exchange Packers for 23 years before retiring in 1984; a World War II Army veteran; and a member of Disabled American Veterans. He is survived by one daughter, Phyllis Justice of Vero Beach; four brothers, James Charles of Greenup, Paul Charles of Wurtland, Fred Charles of Ocala, Fla., Ashton Charles of Lloyd; four sisters, Catherine Smith and Beulah Jennings, both of Greenup, Jenny Cumberledge of Ventura, Calif., Mildred Fields of Fort Pierce, Fla.; and one grandson. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2, at the Smith Cemetery at Sidney with Homer Adkins officiating. Arrangements are under direction of Rogers Funeral Home of Belfry. Alice Stepp Bevins, 65, of Sidney, died Friday, Nov. 27, 1998, at her home. She was born in Pike County, Aug. 12, 1933, a daughter of the late Julius and Inice Staton Stepp. She was a homemaker and a member of the Bells of Joy United Baptist Church. She is survived by her husband, Edwin Phillip Bevins; one son, Kenny Roger Bevins of Catlettsburg; three daughters, Dianne Yates of Sidney, Evelyn Blackburn of Huddy, Debbie Laferty of Allen; one brother, Eugene Stepp of Sidney; two sisters, Earnestine Maynard and Anna Sue Stewart, both of Sidney; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 30, in the Hatfield Funeral Home Chapel with Tim Yates officiating. Burial followed in the Bevins Family Cemetery at Rockhouse. Arrangements were under direction of Hatfield Funeral Chapel with Toler. Mary Varney, 62, of Kimper, died Saturday, Nov. 28, 1998, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital. She was born at Fishtrap, April 2, 1936, a daughter of the late Fred Dorton and Bessie Kendrick. She was a homemaker and attended the First Church of God, Kimper. She is survived by her husband, Blige Varney; one son, Johnny L. Varney; three brothers, Roger Hall of London, Tommy Blackburn of Shelbiana, Jackie Dean Potter of Pikeville; and two sisters, Nancy Anderson and Anna Slone, both of Kimper. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1, in the Pike County Chapel with Junior Mullins officiating. Burial followed in the Honaker Cemetery, Sunshine Lane, Kimper. Arrangements were under direction of Justice Funeral Services-Pike County Chapel of Zebulon. Paul Wayne Shortridge, 26, of Little Hackneys Creek Road, Mouthcard, died Sunday, Nov. 29, 1998, at his home. He was born in Pike County, Oct. 13, 1972, a son of Bennie Earl and Thelma R. Clevinger Shortridge. He was a baker employed by Mountain Top Baking. Besides his parents, he is survived by one brother, Johnny Mullins of Belcher; and three sisters, Regina Dye of McDowell, Judy Griffith of Biggs, and Tammy Shortridge of Mouthcard. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, in the Bailey Funeral Home Chapel with Frank Crum and Carl Hess officiating. Burial will follow in Mountain Valley Memorial Park at Big Rock, Va. Arrangements are under direction of Bailey Funeral Home of Elkhorn City. Paul Clinton Mullins, 66, of Elkhorn City, died Sunday, Nov. 22, 1998, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital. He was born in Elkhorn City, Feb. 8, 1932, a son of the late Carl and Georgia Stacey Mullins. He was a retired equipment operator in the coal mining industry and a member and deacon of the Old Fashion Freewill Baptist Church, Elkhorn City. He is survived by his wife, Rose Mary Mullins; two sons, Paul Michael Mullins and Kevin Todd Mullins, both of Elkhorn City; four brothers, Kenneth Mullins of Cardington, Ohio, Roger Mullins of Michigan, Danny Mullins of Elkhorn City, Ronnie Mullins of Baltimore; one sister, Peggy Smith of Sunbury, Ohio; and two grandchildren. Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25, at the Old Fashion Freewill Baptist Church with Benny Hopkins officiating. Burial followed in the Dow-Brook Cemetery at Draffin. Arrangements were under direction of Justice Funeral Services of Pikeville. Hearl "Sonny Buck" Damron, 83, of Old Ferrells Creek Road, Belcher, died Sunday, Nov. 22, 1998, at his home. He was born in Pike County, Oct. 27, 1915, a son of the late King and Canzada Looney Damron. He was a retired coal miner. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lennice Lester Damron. He is survived by two daughters, Jeanette Sloan of Cookeville, Tenn., and Janice Cool of Belcher; two brothers, Bob Damron of Belcher and avine Damron of Hiram, Ga.; three sisters, Ledna Collins and Gail Chaney, both of Belcher, Elva Mullins of Grafton, Ohio; six grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25, in the Bailey Funeral Home Chapel with Gary Shepherd and Joe McCoy officiating. Burial followed in the Hester-Hackney Cemetery at Belcher. Arrangements were under direction of Bailey Funeral Home of Elkhorn City. Lizzie Slone, 93, of Island Creek Road, Pikeville, died at 3:55 p.m. Monday, Nov. 30, 1998, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital. She was born in Pike County, April 11, 1905, a daughter of the late Jack and Betty Worrix Allen. She was a homemaker and a member of the Freewill Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Goble Slone; two sons, Charlie Slone and Jacob Slone; and three daughters, Emma Lou Slone, Goldie Slone and Mercy Slone. She is survived by two daughters, Bessie McClanahan of Island Creek Road and Vina Slone of Pikeville; 18 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, in the J.W. Call & Son Funeral Home Chapel with Frankie Bryant, Donnie Hall and Phillip Damron officiating. Burial will follow in Johnson Memorial Park at Pikeville. Arrangements are under direction of J.W. Call & Son Funeral Home of Pikeville. Special services will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Pallbearers are Larry McClanahan, Tommy McClanahan, Ronnie McClanahan, Donnie McClanahan, Stevie Hall, Shad McClanahan, Doby Bishop and Eric McClanahan. Mac Arthur Auxier, 55, of Burnwell, died Monday, Nov. 30, 1998, at his home. He was born at Burnwell, Oct. 15, 1943, a son of the late Claud and Una Roberts Auxier. He is survived by his wife, Sarah Thompson Auxier; one daughter, Beverly Auxier Runyon of Hatfield; one brother, Roger Auxier of Burnwell; five sisters, Doris Mounts, Brenda Vermillion and Linda Stroud, all of Burnwell, Joyce Maynard of Turkey Creek, Charlotte Helmer of Beaver Dam, Wis.; and two special nephews, Andrew Thompson of Burnwell and Steven Thompson of Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. Funeral services will be held at noon Friday, Dec. 4, at the Gospel Revelation Tabernacle Church of God at Burnwell with Woodrow Nickols officiating. Burial will follow in the Thompson and Moore Family Cemetery at Burnwell. Arrangements are under direction of Rogers Funeral Home of Belfry. Special services will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday. Fern Scott Williamson, 58, of Dix Fork Road, Sidney, died Monday, Nov. 30, 1998, at the South Williamson Appalachian Regional Hospital. She was born at Stone, Sept. 8, 1940, a daughter of the late Ben F. and Nancy Ball Scott. She was a homemaker and a member of the Canada Freewill Baptist Church. She is survived by her husband, John Thomas Williamson; one son, Benny Thomas Williamson of Sidney; two brothers, Stearl Scott of Morristown, Tenn., and Forb Scott of Baltimore; and one granddaughter. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, at the Canada Freewill Baptist Church with Donnie Williamson and Forb Scott officiating. Burial will follow in the Williamson Family Cemetery at Canada. Arrangements are under direction of Rogers Funeral Home of Belfry. Special services will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Maudie V. Coleman Tucker, 65, of Battleground, Wash., formerly of McAndrews, died Monday, Nov. 30, 1998, at her home. She was born at McAndrews, Aug. 5, 1933, a daughter of the late Ezra and Lauda Allen Coleman. She was preceded in death by one infant son and one infant daughter. She is survived by her husband, Norman A. Tucker; one son, Allen Dale Tucker of Battleground; three brothers, Cecil Coleman of McVeigh, Ezra Coleman Jr. and Darrell Joseph Coleman, both of McAndrews; one sister, Magalene Williams of Columbus, Ohio; and two granddaughters. Memorial services will be held Friday, Dec. 4, in Battleground. Obituary courtesy of Rogers Funeral Home of Belfry. Mary Joyce Looney, 52, of Kendrick Road, Shelbiana, died Monday, Nov. 30, 1998, at Highlands Regional Medical Center in Prestonsburg. She was born in Franklin, Ala., Aug. 11, 1946, a daughter of the late Harvey and Vinie Heathcok Scott. She was a homemaker. She is survived by her ex-husband, Billy Looney of Shelbiana; one daughter, Monica Looney of Shelbiana; and two brothers, Hubert Scott of Mississippi and Kermit Scott of Russellville, Ala. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, in the Bailey Funeral Home Chapel with Jimmy Jack Adkins officiating. Burial will follow in the Looney Cemetery, Bull Mountain at Harmon, Va. Arrangements are under direction of Bailey Funeral Home of Elkhorn City. Visitation is at the Greasy Creek Freewill Baptist Church. The body will lie in state at the Bailey Funeral Home Chapel after 1 p.m. Thursday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association. Lois Slone Powers, 64, of Auxier, died Sunday, Nov. 29, 1998, at the home of her granddaughter, Stephanie Johnson, at Richmond. She was born at Dema, Sept. 17, 1934, a daughter of the late Roosevelt and Margaret Casebolt Slone. She was retired from the Kentucky Division of Child Support and was a member of the Joppa Old Regular Baptist Church at Melvin since 1965. She was preceded in death by her husband, Elbert Powers Jr., who died in 1973. She is survived by one daughter, Deborah Akers of Bonita Springs, Fla.; one brother, William J. Slone of Ohio; four sisters, Subrinia Jones of Wheelersburg, Ohio, Betty Powers of Somerset, Mary Kestel of Dema, Clotine Hicks of Payne, Ohio; and one granddaughter. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, at the Joppa Old Regular Baptist Church with Ellis Holbrook and Monroe Jones officiating. Burial will follow in the Osborne Cemetery at Bypro. Arrangements are under direction of Hall Funeral Home of Martin. December 4, 1998 Susie Smith, 78, of Pikeville, died Wednesday, Dec. 2, 1998, at her home. She was born in Borderland, W.Va. Nov. 22, 1920, a daughter of the late Elijah and Edna Maynard Jude. She was a homemaker and attended Big Branch Old Regular Baptist Church at Brushy. She was preceded in death by her husband, Arnold Smith; and one son, Nick Smith. She is survived by two sons, Raymond Smith of New Orleans and Vernon Smith of Chicago; seven daughters, Mary Ray of Meta, Mae Gallager, Lida Shimko and Pat Stanley, all of Ypsilanti, Mich., Thera Helmick of Monroe, Mich., Linda Stanley of Sycamore, Glenda Lyons of Lower Johns Creek; one brother, Ferrell Jude of Crown, W.Va.; two sisters, Eula Lowe of Sidney and Lora Ward of Kansas; 21 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, in the Pike County Chapel with Danny Runyon, Richard Staton, Billy Williamson and Dale Williamson officiating. Burial will follow in the Henry Taylor Cemetery at Brushy. Arrangements are under direction of Justice Funeral Services-Pike County Chapel of Zebulon. Pallbearers are Gary Stanley, Mike Lyons, Rickey Ray, Donald Ray, Dean Stanley, Eddie Chapman, Chris Lyons, Doug Lyons, and James Lyons. Nola Irene Utley Parks, 96, of Lexington, formerly of Pikeville, died Wednesday, Dec. 2, 1998, at Sayre Christian Village Nursing Home in Lexington. She was born in Henderson County, Jan. 28, 1902, a daughter ofthe late Isaac Vail Utley and Henry S. Utley Sr. She was retired, formerly employed as the assistant manager of Kentucky Wholesale. She was a member of Eastern Star-White Shrine, a member of the Business & Professional Woman's Club, and a member of the First Christian Church of Pikeville. She was preceded in death by her husband, Selby Park; and one daughter, Nola Eloise Parks. She is survived by one son, Norman Selby Parks of Lexington; and one sister, Daisibel Walters of Vero Beach, Fla. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, in the J.W. Call & Son Funeral Home Chapel with C.H. Dudley officiating. Burial will follow in the Pikeville City Cemetery. Arrangements are under direction of J.W. Call & Son Funeral Home of Pikeville. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday. David Watson, 70, of Martin, died Tuesday, Dec. 1, 1998, at his home. He was born at Lackey, June 17, 1928, a son of the late Crocket and Avie Hoover Watson. He was retired as district right-of-way chief, Kentucky Department of Transportation, Pikeville district office, was a member of Kiwanis, Martin, and a member of Odd Fellows, Prestonsburg. He is survived by his wife, Alpha Jean May Watson; one son, David D. Watson II of Martin; four daughters, Marena Hale Nelson, and Linda Sue DeRossett, both of Prestonsburg, Anna Margaret Allen of Martin, Carla Jean Robinson of Shelbiana; two brothers, Chester A. Watson of Arlington, Va., and Isaac E. Watson of Lexington; seven grandchildren, three stepgrandchildren and five great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be conducted at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, at the Christ United Methodist Church at Allen. Arrangements are under direction of Hall Funeral Home of Martin. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Big Sandy, or the church of your choosing. Visitation is after 5 p.m. Friday, at the church. Commodore P. Griffith, 85, of Pikeville, died at 3:15 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, 1998, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital. He was born in Knott County, Aug. 4, 1913, a son of the late Crockett and Elizabeth Sexton Griffith. He was a school teacher, having taught at Mullins Elementary; a member of the Kentucky Teachers Retirement Association and the Pike County Retired Teachers Association; a World War II veteran, a life member of Disabled American Veterans, a member of the 12th Armored Division Association and the 82nd Medical Battalion, a Kentucky Colonel, and a member of the Baptist Church. He is survived by two brothers, Crockett Griffith Jr. of Ypsilanti, Mich., and Corbitt Raymond Griffith; and three sisters, Susie Staunbaugh of Estill, Beulah May Bayless and Pauline Porter, both of Michigan. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, in the J.W. Call & Son Funeral Home Chapel with Don Lee officiating. Burial will follow in Davidson Memorial Gardens at Ivel. Funeral arrangements are under direction of J.W. Call & Son Funeral Home of Pikeville. Visitation will be in the chapel after 6 p.m. Friday. Emily Vern Irick Lowe, 81, of Orangeburg, S.C., died Wednesday, Dec. 2, 1998, at her home. She was born in Pike County, Oct. 5, 1916, a daughter of the late Sam and Mary Jane King Irick. She was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, MacDonald Lowe, who died in March 1984. She is survived by one son, Donald Ray Lowe of Collinsville, Va.; two daughters, Mona Nicholay of Alexandria, Va., and Donna Sue Welch of Collinsville; three brothers, Joe Irick, Wayne Irick and Julian Irick, all of Pikeville; four sisters, Sylvia Carrell of Pikeville, Norma Lowe and Verlie Hamilton, both of Orangeburg, Hope McCaslin of Gardner, Maine; two grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Dec. 5, in the Thompson Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in Crestlawn Memorial Gardens in Orangeburg. Arrangements are under direction of Thompson Funeral Home of Orangeburg. Obituary courtesy of Thacker Memorial Chapel of Pikeville. Artie Bowling Marks McKinney, 91, of Prestonsburg, died Thursday, Dec. 3, 1998, at Highlands Regional Medical Center in Prestonsburg. She was born in Pike County, Nov. 18, 1907, a daughter of the late Andrew Jackson Mullins and Roxie Yates Mullins Kidd. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Bernie Marks, and her second husband, Wilson McKinney. She was a nurse's aide and a member of the Spurlock Church of Christ at Printer. She is survived by five sons, Charles Bowling of Kingmon, Ariz., Harold Bowling of New London, Ohio, James McKinney of Printer, Willard R. McKinney and Kenneth McKinney, both of Auxier; one daughter, Anna Mae Perkins of Webville; one brother, Carmel Kidd of Prestonsburg; one sister, Edith Huff of Drift; and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, in the Hall Funeral Home Chapel with Bruce Coleman and Ersel Huff officiating. Burial will follow in the Jeff Hunter Cemetery at Printer.Arrangements are under direction of Hall Funeral Home of Martin. Visitation will be after 1 p.m. Friday. Orga Newsome, 75, of Teaberry, died Wednesday, Dec. 2, 1998, at the McDowell Appalachian Regional Hospital in McDowell. She was born in Pike County, Dec. 25, 1922, a daughter of the late James Thomas and Nancy Emilene McCown Gillespie. She was a homemaker and a member of the Little Nancy Regular Baptist Church for 23 years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil Newsome. She is survived by four sons, Andy Lee Newsome of Louisville, Walker "Red" Newsome of Grethel, Charles Newsome of Teaberry, Joe Wheeler Newsome of Craynor; nine daughters, Oma Marie Frasure, Nancy Newsome and Brenda Kay Newsome, all of Grethel, Martha Jane Martin of Vinton, Ohio, Mary Ann Hall and Barbara Faye Shepherd, both of McDowell, Kathleen Keer of Cocoa Beach, Fla., Marie Burnette Coburn of Somerset, Karen Lynn Mitchell of Beaver; 28 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at the Little Nancy Regular Baptist Church at Price with Regular Baptist ministers officiating. Burial will follow in the Lucy Hall Cemetery at McDowell. Arrangements are under direction of Hall Funeral Home of Martin.