Obituaries taken from the Appalachian News-Express, Pike Co., Ky

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Transcribed by: Gloria R.  gloriag@iwaynet.net
Date: Mar 1999
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                  February 26, 1999

Racine D. Hamilton, 73, of Middletown, Ohio, died Friday, Feb. 12, 1999, at the 
University of Cincinnati Medical Center. She was born at Stone, Feb. 18, 1925, a 
daughter of the late Anthony and Melda Dotson Smith. She was employed as a secretary 
for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad for 32 years and was a member of the University 
Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lockwood Hamilton, who died 
in 1993. She is survived by her stepmother, Jeanette Smith of McCarr; one daughter,
Rebecca Hite Mays of Evansville, Ind.; one stepson, the Rev. Sam Hamilton of 
Plantersville, Miss.; two stepdaughters, Teri (Mrs. Scott) Ratliff of Monroe, Ohio, 
and Jean (Mrs. John) Crawford of Brandon, Fla.; one brother, Jack Freeman of Michigan; 
one stepsister, Faye (Mrs. Ransom) Smith of Florida; seven grandchildren and one 
great-grandchild. Funeral services were held Sunday, Feb. 14, in the 
Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. C. Nolan Phillips and Rev. 
Sam Hamilton officiating. Burial was Monday, Feb. 15, in the Hatfield Cemetery at
McCarr. Arrangements were under direction of Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home. 
Memorials may be made to the University Baptist Church, 4125 Riverview Ave., 
Middletown, Ohio 45042. Obituary courtesy of J.W. Call & Son Funeral Home of 
Pikeville. 

Frank Carter, 76, of Ratliffs Creek Road, Pikeville, died at 10:16 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 
23, 1999, at his home. He was born in Pike County, May 16, 1922, a son of the late 
Sherman and Gracie Huffman Carter. He was an electrician, a 55-year member of the 
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 317, a World War II Army Air 
Corps veteran, and a member of the Harold Church of Christ. He is survived by his 
wife, Barbara Ellen Fife Carter; three sons, Gordon Neal Carter, Miller Kent Carter 
and Timothy Juan Carter, all of Pikeville; three daughters, Janis Carter Thacker of
Raccoon, Geneva Kay Torres of Tampa, Fla., Sharon Gail Conway of Pikeville; one 
brother, Hi Carter of Joes Creek Road, Pikeville; 11 grandchildren and two
great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, in the 
J.W. Call & Son Funeral Home Chapel with James Hubert Harmon officiating. Burial will
follow in the Frank Carter Family Cemetery, Ratliffs Creek Road, Pikeville. 
Arrangements are under direction of J.W. Call & Son Funeral Home of Pikeville. Special 
services will be held at 7 p.m. Friday.

Minnie Layne, 90, of Coburn Hollow Road, Huddy, died Tuesday, Feb. 23, 1999, at 
Williamson Memorial Hospital, Williamson, W.Va. She was born at McCarr, Feb. 14, 1909, 
a daughter of the late Landon and Charity Scott Hatfield. She was a homemaker, former 
employee of the Belfry Senior Citizens Center, and a member of the Mission for Christ 
in Jesus' Name Church, Thacker, W.Va. She was preceded in church by her husband, John 
Layne. She is survived by one son, Paul "Dickie" Lane of Woodbridge, Va.; four 
grandsons, Chris, John, Curtis and Andrew; and four great-grandchildren. Funeral 
services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, in the Rogers Funeral Home Chapel 
with Pastor Delmar Akers officiating. Burial will follow in Mountain View Memory 
Gardens at Huddy. Arrangements are under direction of Rogers Funeral Home of Belfry. 
Special services will be held at 7 p.m. Friday. Pallbearers are Chris Buckingham, John 
Layne, Curtis Layne, Andrew Layne, Bill Lane, and Jack Smith.

Adolph Aragon, 92, of Elkhorn City, died Tuesday, Feb. 23, 1999, at Pikeville 
Methodist Hospital. He was born in Cottonwood Creek, Colo., Feb. 26, 1906, a son of 
the late Doroteo Jose and Gavina Archuleta Aragon. He was preceded in death by his 
wife, Marvene Ruybal Aragon. He is survived by one son, Ray Aragon of Elkhorn City; 
and four daughters, Zelma Aragon of Seattle, Sadie Herald of Ollie Branch, Miss.,
Sarah Aragon of Chicago, Sharon Adams of Russellville. Private funeral services will 
be held Friday, Feb. 26. Arrangements are under direction of Bailey Funeral Home of
Elkhorn City.

Hibbard Taylor, 74, of Phyllis, died Tuesday, Feb. 23, 1999, at Pikeville Methodist 
Hospital. He was born in Pike County, July 15, 1924, a son of the late Marion and 
Polly Fields Taylor. He was a retired coal miner. He is survived by his wife, Easter 
Justice Taylor; five sons, Barry Taylor, Jerry Taylor and Timothy Taylor, all of 
Phyllis, Billy Ray Taylor of Florida, Terry Taylor of Kimper; three daughters, Barbara
Jean Williamson of Frenchburg, Maretta Worrix of Phyllis, Carla May of Pikeville; one 
sister, Lessie Cantrell of Mouthcard; 14 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, at the Pentecostal Church 
of God, Phyllis, with Ralph Taylor, Woody Slone and Randall Good officiating. Burial 
will follow in the Justice Cemetery at Phyllis. Arrangements are under direction of 
Bailey Funeral Home of Elkhorn City. Visitation is at the church.

Rosalyn Delores Ratliff, 57, of Belcher, died Wednesday, Feb. 24, 1999, at Pikeville 
Methodist Hospital. She was born in Pike County, Sept. 15, 1941, a daughter of the 
late Ellis and Ferba Belcher May. She was a homemaker and a member of the Ferrells 
Creek Church of God in Jesus' Name. She is survived by her husband, Teddy Ratliff Jr.; 
two sons, David Junior Ratliff and Christopher Shawn Ratliff, both of Belcher; three 
daughters, Sharon Carr and Dawn Bentley, both of Belcher, Diana Alley of Shelbiana; 
one brother, Charles Ellis May of Martin; eight sisters, Margaret Ann Smith of
Mississippi, Lois Ailene Adkins of Millard, Lucille Ratliff of Alexandria, Lena Damron 
of Winchester, Erma Lester of Belcher, Patty Bentley of Marrowbone, Sharon Coleman of
Regina, Lantha Coleman of Elkhorn City; eight grandchildren and two 
great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at noon Saturday, Feb. 27, in the 
Bailey Funeral Home Chapel with Carson Adkins officiating. Burial will follow in the
Wilson Cemetery at Draffin. Arrangements are under direction of Bailey Funeral Home of 
Elkhorn City.


Gary Trivette, 43, of Phyllis, died Sunday, Feb. 21, 1999, the result of injuries 
sustained in an automobile accident. He was born in Pike County, April 23, 1955, a son 
of Goble and Sarah Branham Trivette of Myers Towers, Pikeville. He was disabled and a 
member of the Church of Christ. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Jessica Lynn 
Trivette. He also had a daughter, Katie Nicole Trivette, seven years old, who died 
Monday, Feb. 22, 1999, a result of injuries sustained in the same accident. Besides 
his parents, he is survived by his wife, Gretta Adams Trivette; one daughter, Kayla 
Reene Trivette of the home; one brother, Larry Trivette of Knoxville, Tenn.; and three 
sisters, Ella Mae Hamilton of Harold Branch, Pikeville, Faye Ann Anderson of Phyllis, 
Irene Howard of Toler Creek. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26, 
in the Upper Grapevine Church of Christ, with Dean Lyons, Harold Hensley, Howard Pugh,
Jack Horn, and others officiating. Burial will follow in the Anderson Cemetery, 
Anderson Fork of Grapevine.  Arrangements are under direction of Thacker Memorial
Funeral Home of Pikeville.

Katie Nicole Trivette, 7, of Phyllis, died Monday, Feb. 22, 1999, at the University of 
Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington, the result of injuries sustained in an 
automobile accident. She was born in Pike County, Dec. 29, 1991, a daughter of Gretta 
Adams Trivette of Phyllis and the late Gary Trivette. She was a student. She was 
preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Clarence Adams Jr.; and one sister, 
Jessica Lynn Trivette. Besides her mother, she is survived by one sister, Kayla Reene 
Trivette of the home; her maternal grandmother, Myrtle Adams of Phyllis; her 
paternal grandparents, Goble and Sarah Trivette of Myers Towers, Pikeville; and a 
special aunt and uncle, Dooty and Rhonda Adams. Funeral services will be held at 1 
p.m. Friday, Feb. 26, in the Upper Grapevine Church of Christ, with Dean Lyons, Harold 
Hensley, Howard Pugh, Jack Horn, and others officiating. Burial will follow in the 
Anderson Cemetery, Anderson Fork of Grapevine. Arrangements are under direction of 
Thacker Memorial Funeral Home of Pikeville.


Lorenzo Dudley Nichols Sr., 89, of Friona, Texas, died Sunday, Feb. 21, 1999, in 
Texas. He was the grandfather of Dr. Loren Nichols of Pikeville. Graveside services 
will be held at noon Saturday, Feb. 27, in the Annie E. Young Cemetery, East 
Shelbiana. Arrangements are under direction of R.S. Jones & Son Funeral Home-Virgie 
Chapel of Virgie.


Anna Rose (Childers) Beech, 60, of Indianapolis, died at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, 
1999, at the home of a sister. She was born at Allegheny, Oct. 10, 1938, a daughter of 
the late Johnnie A. and Roxie Childers. She was a homemaker and a member of the 
Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Danny Beech. She is survived 
by one son, Hubert Eugene Looney of Indianapolis; four brothers, Bobby James Childers, 
Jackie Curran Childers, and Billy Ray Childers, all of Hellier, Benny Junior Childers 
of Peytons Creek; three sisters, Joyce Marie Spencer of Dickenson, Texas, Vivian Doris 
Bowens of Hellier, Anna Louvern Shepherd of Bluffton, Ind.; and three grandchildren. 
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 28, at the Poor Bottom Freewill 
Baptist Church with Tommy Tackett and others officiating. Burial will follow in the 
Robinson Cemetery, Allegheny. Arrangements are under direction of Lucas & Hall
Funeral Home of Pikeville. 


Paul Dale Elkins, 64, of Rogersville, Tenn., died Wednesday, Feb. 24, 1999, at his 
home. He was born at Myra, Nov. 2, 1934, a son of the late Frank and Lela Tackett 
Elkins. He was a retired welder and a member of the Long Fork Freewill Baptist Church. 
He is survived by his wife, Wilma Branham Elkins; one son, Reggie Elkins of Frankfort, 
Ill.; four daughters, Rhonda Renee Wilson of California, Sheila Kay Damron, Ella Fay 
Kiser and Vickie Mae Little, all of Penny Road, Pikeville.; three brothers, Clifton 
Elkins and Jimmy Elkins, both of Myra, Gregory Elkins of Dorton; three sisters,
Sylvia Ferguson of Taylor, Mich., Patsy Brown of Alabama, Linda Calhoun of Wellington; 
three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 1 
p.m. Friday, Feb. 26, at the Long Fork Freewill Baptist church with Greg White and 
Teddy Tackett officiating. Burial will follow in the Elkins Family Cemetery, Lick Fork 
of Beefhide. Arrangements are under direction of Lucas & Hall Funeral Home of 
Pikeville.


Johnny Hunter, 78, of Robinson Creek, died at 10:20 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, 1999, at 
Pikeville Methodist Hospital. He was born in Floyd County, Feb. 7, 1921, a son of the 
late John and Eva Conn Hunter. He was a construction worker, retired from the Kentucky 
Power Company, and a member of the Freewill Baptist Church. He is survived by his 
wife, Hazel Coleman Hunter; five sons, Bobby Hunter of Norwake, Ohio, Dallas D. Hunter 
of Banner, Johnny Hunter Jr. of Allen, James Floyd Hunter of Ohio, Wendell Keith 
Hunter of Hawaii; one brother, David Hunter of Prestonsburg; three sisters, Maggie 
Snyder of Kenderville, Tenn., Polly Ann Akers of Harold, Bertha Kidd of Prestonsburg; 
nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 11 
a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, in the Lucas & Hall Funeral Home Chapel with Dewey Roberts, 
Walter Akers and others officiating. Burial will follow in the Coleman Cemetery, 
Robinson Creek. Arrangements are under direction of Lucas & Hall Funeral Home of 
Pikeville.


Ruben Branham, 77, of Winco Block, W.Va., died Saturday, Feb. 20, 1999, at Williamson 
Memorial Hospital, Williamson, W.Va. He was born at Caney Creek, Sept. 18, 1921, a son 
of the late Jessie and Liney Branham. He was a retired coal miner. He is survived by 
two sons, Larry Branham of Kentucky and Johnny Branham of Ohio; one daughter,
Patricia Fields of Naugatuck, W.Va.; 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. 
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23, in the Hatfield Funeral Chapel 
with the Rev. Earl White officiating. Burial followed in the Branham Cemetery at 
Hardy. Arrangements were under direction of Hatfield Funeral Chapel of Toler.


February 28 1999
Dollie May Goff, 76, of Diamond, Ohio, formerly of Raccoon, died at 11 p.m. Wednesday, 
Feb. 24, 1999, at the Lora Ann Nursing Home in Ohio. She was born at Toler, May 21, 
1922, a daughter of the late Asa and Nancy Muncy May. She was a retired waitress and 
cook at Petrucci's Restaurant and a member of the Raccoon Primitive Baptist Church. 
She was preceded in death by her husband, John B. Goff; and one son, Tracy Ivan Goff. 
She is survived by three daughters, Martha Lewis of Diamond, Bonnie Greene of Akron, 
Ohio, Donna Jean Ray of Raccoon; 12 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. 
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, March 1, at the Raccoon Primitive 
Baptist Church with Primitive Baptist ministers officiating. Burial will follow in the 
Justice Cemetery at Upper Pompey. Arrangements are under direction of Justice Funeral 
Services-Pike County Chapel of Zebulon.


Charley Farley, 93, of Ransom, died Thursday, Feb. 25, 1999, at Pikeville Methodist 
Hospital. He was born at McCarr, Jan. 12, 1906, a son of the late Robert Lee and
Jessie DeHart Farley. He was a retired self-employed grocery store owner. He opened 
Farley's Grocery in 1947 and it has been in operation 52 years. He was a member of the
McAndrews Church of Christ. He was preceded in death by his wife, Blanche Ferrell 
Farley; and one son, Pat Farley. He is survived by one son, Paul Farley of Ransom; two
brothers, Robert L. Farley and Roy James Farley, both of Chesapeake, Ohio; four 
sisters, Ethel Varney and Maxie Norman, both of McCarr, and Jean Farley and Virginia
Nicholas, both of Huntington, W.Va.; five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and 
four great-great-grandchildren. funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 
27, in the Rogers Funeral Home Chapel with David Parsley officiating. Burial 
followed in the Alley Cemetery at Ransom. Arrangements were under direction of Rogers 
Funeral Home of Belfry.


Darrell Dean Blevins, 37, of Hatfield, died Thursday, Feb. 25, 1999, at the University 
of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington. He was born in Pike County, Oct. 25, 1961, a
son of the late Cecil and Georgeanna Artrip Blevins. He is survived by four brothers, 
George Blevins of Black Log, Jimmy Blevins of Lovely, David Blevins and Daniel 
Blevins, both of Hatfield; and five sisters, Dixie Harrison and Carolyn Runyon, both 
of Martin County, Anna Mae Blankenship and Minnie Harrison, both of Hatfield, Tootsie
Jude of Lovely. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 1, in the New 
Home United Baptist Church, with Jacob Cline and Tom Stepp officiating. Burial will
follow in the Stepp Cemetery, Hatfield. Arrangements are under direction of Hatfield 
Funeral Chapel of Toler. Special services will be held Sunday night at 7.


Earl Murphy, 89, of Road Creek, died Saturday, Feb. 27, 1999, at Mountain View Health 
Care Center in Elkhorn City. He was born in Pike County, March 9, 1909, a son of
the late Dow and Florence Adams Murphy. He was a retired coal miner. He was preceded 
in death by his wife, Blanchie Adams Murphy. He is survived by two daughters, Anna
Justice of Elkhorn City, Juanita Spears of Jackson, Mich.; one sister, Jettie May of 
Regina; three grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be 
held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 1, in the Bailey Funeral Home Chapel, with Ray Sayers 
officiating. Burial will follow in the Annie E. Young Cemetery, East Shelbiana. 
Arrangements are under direction of Bailey Funeral Home of Elkhorn City. 


James Henry O'Quinn, 74, of Birchleaf, Va., died Friday, Feb. 26, 1999, at his home. 
He was born in Buchanan County, Va., March 5, 1924, a son of the late Rufus and Lettie
Blankenship O'Quinn. He was a retired coal miner. He is survived by his wife, Gertrude 
Colley Ramey O'Quinn; three sons, Kenneth O'Quinn of Elkhorn City, Steve O'Quinn of
Roanoke, Va., Eddie O'Quinn of Haysi, Va.; four daughters, Teresa Conners of 
Nashville, Tenn., Cristy Diaz of Atlanta, Carolyn Bailey and Gwendolyn Willis, both of 
Haysi; four brothers, Lawrence O'Quinn and Frank O'Quinn, both of Haysi, Newton 
O'Quinn of Abingdon, Va., Teddy O'Quinn of Palatka, Fla.; four sisters, Fern Rose and 
Charlotte Rowe, both of Clinchco, Va., Plina Deel of Haysi, Patty Baber of 
Charlottesville, Va.; nine grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Funeral 
services will be held at 11 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 28, in the Tivis Chapel Regular Baptist
Church, Tivis, Va., with Lloyd Deel officiating. Burial will follow in the Colley 
Cemetery, Tivis. Arrangements are under direction of Bailey Funeral Home of Elkhorn 
City. 

Jennis Slone, 77, of Pikeville, died Thursday, Feb. 25, 1999, at Pikeville Methodist 
Hospital. He was born in Pikeville, June 5, 1921, a son of the late Jim and Nancy 
Murphy Slone. He was a retired coal miner, a member of the United Mine Workers of 
America, and a member of the Phyllis Church of Christ. He is survived by his wife, 
Alma Edith Justice Slone; two sons, Romer Lynn Slone of Salyersville, Roger Lee Slone 
of Millers Creek Road; one brother, Clarence Slone of Canton, Ohio; six grandchildren, 
and nine great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, March 1, 
in the Justice Chapel, with Mike Keene and Buddy Ford officiating. Burial will follow 
in the Annie E. Young Cemetery, East Shelbiana. Arrangements are under direction of 
Justice Funeral Services of Pikeville. Visitation will be 6-10 p.m. Sunday. 


March 3, 1999
Barbara Jean Sayers, 50, of Harless Creek, died Monday, March 1, 1999, at Vencor 
Hospital in Louisville. She was born in Pike County, Dec. 4, 1948, a daughter of Elsie 
Hunt Justice of Regina and the late Aaron Justice. She was a homemaker. She is 
survived by her husband, Lester Gene Sayers; one son, Keith Sayers of Harless Creek; 
one brother, Aaron Justice Jr. of Pikeville; and four sisters, Bertha Adkins, Joyce 
Chaney, Genevia Blair and Kathy Matney, all of Regina. Funeral services will be held 
at 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 3, in the Morris Chapel with Ray Sayers officiating. Burial 
will follow in the Annie E. Young Cemetery, East Shelbiana. Arrangements are under 
direction of Justice Funeral Services-Morris Chapel of Justiceville.


Earnest Brad Adkins, 57, of Ashcamp, died Sunday, Feb. 14, 1999. He was born in 
Pikeville, Sept. 30, 1941, a son of the late Jesse James and Roxie Raines Adkins. He 
was a retired, self-employed carpenter. He is survived by his wife, Elverta Horn 
Adkins; two daughters, Patricia Ann Adkins, and Diana Lyn Smith, both of Ashcamp; one 
brother, Vinton Adkins of Mouthcard; three sisters, Imal May of Zebulon, Rubby
Hatfield and Dewey Martin, both of Hardy; and three grandchildren. Funeral services 
were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17, at the Rebecca Old Regular Baptist Church with 
Orbin May and others officiating. Burial followed in the Annie E. Young Cemetery at 
East Shelbiana. Arrangements were under direction of Lucas & Hall Funeral Home of 
Pikeville.


Herma Lou Hopkins, 77, of Pikeville, died at 11:35 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 28, 1999, at 
Pikeville Methodist Hospital. She was born in Pike County, Aug. 19, 1921, a daughter 
of the late Joe and Nannie M. Gillispie Hopkins. She was secretary/treasurer of Baker 
Funeral Home Inc. for 25 years; secretary at Justice Funeral Home; and a member of the
Pikeville United Methodist Church. She is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Christine 
Holmes of Seattle and Mrs. Claire Breeding of Anchorage, Alaska; and nieces and 
nephews. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 3, in the J.W. Call 
& Son Funeral Home Chapel with Jerry Stanley and James C. Stratton officiating. Burial 
will follow in Johnson Memorial Park, Pikeville. Arrangements are under direction of 
J.W. Call & Son Funeral Home of Pikeville. Memorials may be made to the Pikeville 
United Methodist Church Building Fund.


Gertrude Goble, 76, of Chloe Road, Pikeville, died at 3:20 a.m. Monday, March 1, 1999, 
at Pikeville Methodist Hospital. She was born in Pike County, Feb. 3, 1923, a daughter 
of the late Mary Conn Robinson. She was a homemaker and member of the Pleasant Valley 
United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Tilden 
Robinson; four brothers, Tommy O'Neal, Bill O'Neal, Jack O'Neal, and John Parsons; and 
one sister, Opal Parsons. She is survived by her husband, Argie Goble; one sister, 
Ruth Helvey of Taylor, Mich.; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be
held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 3, in the J.W. Call & Son Funeral Home Chapel with 
Levi Coleman officiating. Burial will follow in Johnson Memorial Park, Pikeville. 
Arrangements are under direction of J.W. Call & Son Funeral Home of Pikeville. 


Ralph Matney, 68, of Dismal Route, Oakwood, Va., died Friday, Feb. 26, 1999, the 
result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident on U.S. 460 near Belcher. He 
was born in Buchanan County, a son of the late William George Jr. and Mary Alice Hagy 
Matney. He was a retired foreman with Norfolk & Western and Norfolk & Southern Railway 
Company for 32 years, and was a member of the Belcher Seventh Day Adventist Church at 
Belcher. He was preceded in death by one son, William Robin "Robie" Matney, who died 
Nov. 23, 1980. He is survived by his wife, Ocie Hogston Matney; one son, B. Randall 
Matney of Dismal Route; one daughter, Mrs. Brenda Elizabeth "Liz" Justus of Dismal 
Route; one sister, Virginia Charlotte Matney of Dismal Route; one half-sister, Mrs. 
Alta Gooslin of Freeburn; and two grandchildren. Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. 
Monday, March 1, in the Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Gary Shepperd and 
Pastor Mike Foreaker officiating. Burial followed in Greenhills Memory Gardens, 
Claypool Hill, Va. Arrangements were under direction of Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy, 
Va. Pallbearers were Ellis Matney, Terry Matney, Shawn Matney, Harry Scott, Junior 
Cook, Jerry Raines, Ercel Owens and Kenneth Horn. Honorary pallbearers were Jeff 
Beinhorn, Sam Beinhorn, Carl Matney, Jerry Sexton, William S. Cook, Eric Mullins, Abe
Blankenship, Clarence Ramey, Elmer Hagy, Jim Stiltner, Dr. T. Patel, Fred Justus, 
Eugene Hogston, Roby Owens, and Ned Stevens.


Bill "Billy Russell" Hurley, 79, of Freeburn, died Friday, Feb. 26, 1999, at South 
Williamson Appalachian Regional Hospital. He was born Feb. 3, 1920, a son of the late 
Frank and Tennessee Dotson Hurley. He was a retired coal miner and a member of the 
Church of God in Jesus' Name. He was preceded in death by one son, Roger Dale Hurley. 
He is survived by one daughter, Sheila Hurley of Freeburn; one brother, Archie 
Blankenship of Freeburn; two sisters, Helen Pack of DaHart, Texas, and Ruby Jean Stump 
of Buskirk; and two grandchildren. Funeral services were held at noon Tuesday, March 
2, at the Church of God in Jesus' Name with the Rev. Opie Harris officiating. Burial 
followed in the family cemetery at Widows Branch. Arrangements were under direction of 
Phelps Funeral Services of Phelps. 


Delmore "Dale" Gannon, 43, of Saad Avenue, Pikeville, died at 2:40 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 
27, 1999, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital. He was born in Pikeville, Dec. 1, 1955, a 
son of the late Kenis Edward and Elsie Kathy Gannon. He was disabled and was of the 
Freewill Baptist faith. He is survived by three brothers, Michael Gannon of 
Louisville, James Gannon and Verlon Gannon, both of Pikeville; and four sisters, 
Shirley Campton and Runell Gannon, both of Island Creek, Madeline Gannon of Pikeville, 
and Barnadett Korff of Detroit. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, 
March 3, in the Thacker Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with Phillip Damron and others 
officiating. Burial will follow in the Akers Cemetery. Arrangements are under 
direction of Thacker Memorial Funeral Home of Pikeville.


Estes Bartley, 71, of Bowling Fork, died Saturday, Feb. 27, 1999, at Pikeville 
Methodist Hospital. He was born in Pike County, Sept. 21, 1927, a son of the late Lish 
Mullins and Ersie Bartley Mullins. He was a retired coal miner. He is survived by his 
wife, Elsie M. (Bartley) Bartley of Bowling Fork; two sons, Jerry Bartley of Bowling 
Fork and Dale Rose of Kimper; five daughters, Shirley Compton of Wolfpit, Glenda
Bartley of Ohio, Shelia Honaker of Kimper, Tresia Varney of Raleigh, N.C., Geanine 
Woods of Dalton, Ga.; and 10 grandchildren. Funeral services were held at noon 
Tuesday, March 2, at the Bowling Fork Freewill Baptist Church with the Rev. Estill 
Mullins and Don Rogers officiating. Burial followed in the Bowling Fork Cemetery. 
Arrangements were under direction of Bailey Funeral Home of Elkhorn City.


Delphia Vanover, 93, of McArthur, Ohio, died Saturday, Feb. 27, 1999, at the home of 
her son, where she had lived for the past four months due to failing health. She was 
born in Pike County, Aug. 28, 1905, a daughter of the late Joe Greer and Sally Johnson 
Hall. She was a registered nurse, retired after 34 years of nursing in Kentucky, 
Michigan and Ohio, and was a member of Grace Baptist Church in McArthur. She was
preceded in death by her husband, Vernon H. Vanover, who died March 14, 1988. She is 
survived by four sons, Vernon Ewing Vanover of Cement City, Mich., Guy Vanover and 
Gene Vanover, both of McArthur, Ray Vanover of Southgate, Mich.; two daughters, Agnes 
Bowen of Carroll, Ohio, and Lois (Mrs. Fred) Weaver of Creola, Ohio; three 
half-brothers, Jack Greer of Oak Hill, Ohio, Charles Greer of Rio Grande, Ohio, Dave
Greer of California; two half-sisters, Jean White of Oak Hill and Myrtle Greer of Yuba 
City, Calif.; 12 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and two 
great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March  
3, in the Garrett Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Clifford Coleman officiating, and 
burial following in the Elk Cemetery. Arrangements are under direction of Garrett 
Funeral Home Inc. of McArthur.


Hazel Coleman, 76, of Jamboree, died Sunday, Feb. 28, 1999, at her home. She was born 
April 15, 1922, a daughter of the late Monroe and Ida Crockett Hatfield. She was a 
member of the Gooslin Bottom Pentecostal Church. She was preceded in death by her 
husband, Roland Coleman. She is survived by four sons, Freddie Coleman and Teddy 
Coleman, both of Jamboree, Jeff Coleman and Paul Coleman, both of Phelps; one
daughter, Linda Jones of Phelps; three brothers, Everette Hatfield of Orlando, Fla., 
Greely Hatfield of Dayton, Ohio, Ansa Hatfield of Jamboree; three sisters, Bess 
Elliott of Mayfield, Betty Jo Curtis of Troy, Mich., Magalou DeFronzo of Jamboree; 10 
grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Funeral services will be held at noon 
Wednesday, March 3, at the Gooslin Bottom Pentecostal Church with Earl Jones,
DeWitt Furrow and Jerry Hendricks officiating. Burial will follow in the Hatfield 
Cemetery, Jamboree. Arrangements are under direction of R.S. Jones & Son Funeral 
Home-Phelps Chapel of Phelps.


Enoch Elijah Booth, 94, of Phelps, died Sunday, Feb. 28, 1999, at Pikeville Methodist 
Hospital. He was born Jan. 29, 1905, a son of the late Daniel and Mitilda Booth. He 
was a retired coal miner and an ordained Baptist minister for many years. He was 
preceded in death by his wife, Laura Hurley Booth; and one son, Enoch Booth Jr. He is 
survived by three sons, Sidney Booth of Melbourne, Fla., Orville Booth of Phelps,
Willie Booth of Kermit, W.Va.; one daughter, Linnie Estepp of Clyde, Ohio; one sister, 
Martha Ferrell of Arizona; 11 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and four
great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, March 4, 
in the Phelps Funeral Services Chapel with DeWitt Furrow and Earl Jones officiating. 
Burial will follow in the Booth Family Cemetery, Phelps. Arrangements are under 
direction of Phelps Funeral Services of Phelps. 

Edward B. Kerr, 78, of Louisville, died Sunday, Feb. 21, 1999, at Baptist Hospital 
East. He was born in Hardinsburg. He was a retired property tax manager for Chevron 
Oil, where he worked for 44 years; a World War II Navy veteran; a member of Kiwanis 
Club, Kentucky Sheriffs' Boys and Girls Ranch, and the Meadowview Presbyterian Church. 
He is survived by his wife, Helen Moore; one daughter, Nancy Sherman; one sister,
Dorothy Smith; and one grandson. Funeral services were held Tuesday, Feb. 23, at 
Meadowview Presbyterian Church. Burial followed at Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville. 
Arrangements were under direction of Pearson's Funeral Home of Louisville. Memorial 
gifts may be made to the Meadowview Presbyterian Church or Kentucky Sheriffs' Boys & 
Girls Ranch, P.O. Box 57, Gilbertsville, Ky. 42044.

Billie Sue Stanley, 68, of Pikeville, died at 5:44 p.m. Monday, March 1, 1999, at 
Pikeville Methodist Hospital. She was born in Pike County, May 25, 1930, a daughter of 
the late Jacob P. and Amba Steele Cline. She was a homemaker and a member of the 
Presbyterian Church. She is survived by her husband, Thomas Stanley Jr.; one son, 
Thomas Scott Stanley III of Pikeville; one daughter, Dr. Nancy S. Clark of New Jersey; 
one brother, J.P. Cline Jr.; one sister, Myra S. Collier; and one grandchild. Funeral 
services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, March 4, in the J.W. Call & Son Funeral Home 
Chapel with Dr. Eddie Grigsby officiating. Burial will follow in the Cline-Steele 
Cemetery at Pikeville. Arrangements are under direction of J.W. Call & Son Funeral 
Home of Pikeville.