Lawrence County, Kentucky Genealogical & Historical Society, Inc.

JANUARY 1953

BOWENS, Lewis

1882-1953

Lewis Bowens, 70, a farmer of Lowmansville, KY suffered a heart attack and died at 11:30 a.m. Saturday in Andrew Austin's store at Ulysses, KY. Bowens was born June 21, 1882, son of the late John A. and Mary Lyons Bowens. Funeral services were conducted at 11 a.m. Monday at the Chestnut Grove New Regular Baptist Church with the Rev. Scotty Griffith and the Rev. Bruce Daniels officiating. Burial was in the Boyd Cemetery at Ulysses, KY. Surviving are the widow, Mrs. Della Boyd Bowens, one adopted daughter, Mrs. Jesse George of Sunbury, OH and one brother, Andy Bowens of Burlinheights, OH. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Curtright Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, January 15, 1953

COOKSEY, Leander

1868-1953

Leander C. Cooksey, 86, a retired farmer, died at 8:30 p.m. Saturday at the home of a daughter, Mrs. James Stover, at Fort Gay, WV. He had been in ill health for about one year. Born in Louisa on May 28, 1866, he was the son of the late Andy and Mary Elizabeth Wellman Cooksey. He was engaged in farming throughout most of his life and entered retirement 10 years ago. He made his home at Hitchins for about 15 years before moving to the home of his daughter. Sarah Christian Cooksey, his wife, died in 1942. His church affiliation was with the Methodist Church where he was a member for 56 years. Funeral services were conducted Tuesday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. J. C. Hager and Rev. Charles Perry officiating. Burial was in Stinson Cemetery near Grayson, KY. Surviving are five daughters, Mrs. Stover, with whom he resided, Mrs. Elmer Whan, Hillsdale, MI, Mrs. Henry Vaught, Saginaw, MI, Mrs. Curtis Napier, Ashland, KY and Mrs. Kenneth Thoms, Toledo, OH, one son, Fred C. Cooksey, Detroit, MI; 19 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren an six great-great grandchildren. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Curtright Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, January 22, 1953

COPLEY, Rebecca (Hall)

1878-1953

Mrs. Rebecca Hall Copley, 74, of Chattaroy, WV, died January 6 in Williamson Memorial Hospital. Mrs. Copley was born June 30,1 878, in Louisa, KY, a daughter of Sank and Mary Nusome Hall. She was married to John H. Copley, January 27, 1900, who preceded her in death 18 years ago. She was a member of the Church of God at Chattaroy. Survivors include three daughters, Mrs. W. A. Myers, Mrs. Ursal Miller of Chattaroy, and Mrs. Frank Williamson, of Webb, WV, Beckham Copley of Salem, OH, Paul Copley of Chattaroy and Osborne of Hardy, KY; 25 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren. Funeral services were held in the Church of God at Chattaroy. Burial took place at Webb, WV Friday afternoon with Rev. Buck Gillispie officiating. Big Sandy News, January 22, 1953

FRALEY, Millie (Tomlin)

1881-1953 Mrs. Millie Tomlin Fraley, 71, of Norris, KY, wife of the Rev. W. T. Fraley, a minister in the Free Will Baptist Church, died at 4 a.m. January 1 at her home following an illness of one year. Funeral services were conducted at the home at 10 a.m. Sunday by the Rev. Jay Preston. Burial was in the Fraley Cemetery at Norris, under the direction of Curtright Funeral Home. Mrs. Fraley was  born May 2, 1881, in Lawrence County. She was a daughter of the late Lam and Eliza Mares Tomlin. She and Mrs. Fraley had been married for 53 years. She had been a member of the Free Will Baptist church for 40 years. Surviving are the husband, a daughter, Mrs. Elmer Vanhoose, Mechanicsburg, OH and a son Scholfield Fraley, Mechanicsburg, OH and nine grandchildren. Big Sandy News, January 8, 1953

FYFFE, Lina (Evans)

1870-1953

Mrs. Lina Fyffe, 83, died at her home at Keaton, KY, January 8 after a lengthy illness. Funeral services were conducted Saturday at the Lower Keaton Church where she had been a member for many years. Rev. Hood Wallin, Rev. Tommy Bailey, and Rev. Emory Ferguson had charge of the services. Mrs. Fyffe, the mother of Mrs. Sanford Bailey, News correspondent from Keaton, is also survived by N. K. Fyffe, Keaton and M. J. Ferguson , Safford, AZ. Her first husband, preceded her in death 52 years ago, and her second husband also preceded her in death by many years. Additional survivors include 18 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Big Sandy News, January 15, 1953

HARMON, Emma May (Harmon)

1894-1952

Mrs. Emma May Harmon, 68, of route 4, Louisa, (Little Catt Section), died at her home Saturday night. She was born on route 4 on April 28, 1884, the daughter of the late George and Sarah Catherine Dowdy Harmon. Funeral services were conducted Monday at 11 a.m. at Baker Methodist Church on route 4, by the Rev. Lloyd Jordan. Burial was in Ross Cemetery on Route 1, Rush, KY. She had been a member of the Methodist Church for more than 25 years. Surviving are the husband, I. R. (Tobe) Harmon; three daughters, Mrs. Frank King of Mt. Sterling, OH, Mrs. Ted Holbrook of Painesville, OH, Mrs. William T. Jarrell of route 4, Louisa, five sons, Henry M. Harmon of Chillicothe, OH, I. R. Harmon, Jr., of Jackson, Samuel A. Harmon of Columbus, William M. Harmon, rout 4, Louisa, Daniel A. Harmon of Louisa, three sisters, Mrs. Clint McCormick of Cadmus, OH, Mrs. Milt Brumfield of route 4, Louisa, and Mrs. Sally Smith of route 1, Rush; five half brothers, Jack Dowdy of Ashland, Bee Smith of Columbus, Sam Smith of Lucasville, OH, Lewis Smith of Route 1, Rush and Tom Smith of Catlettsburg, and 17 grandchildren. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, January 1, 1953

HOLLEY, Albert

1903-1953

Albert Holley, 49, of Yatesville, KY, died at 10:50 a.m. Thursday at Louisville General Hospital of injuries suffered at 5:10 p.m. Wednesday when he was struck by an automobile in front of Eastern Junior High School, in Louisville. Holley died of a cerebral concussion, according to Deputy Coroner Harry Elstone of Louisville. Police said Holley walked into the path of an automobile driven by Elmer Deiss, 62, Lexington, No charges have been placed against Deiss. He was born May 13, 1903, at Yatesville, and was a son of the late Noah and Susan Diamond Holley. He was never married. Graveside rites were conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday, at the Holley Cemetery in Yatesville, with Rev. Fred Vanhorn officiating. Surviving are two sisters, Mrs. Ida O'Brien of Cincinnati, OH and Mrs. W. M. Franklin, Marytown, WV, and a half brother, William Goins of Ashland, KY. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, January 22, 1953

HOWARD, Lum

Lum Howard, 47, of Ulysses, KY, died in a Louisa hospital Wednesday of last week. Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Friday at the Norris, KY Free Will Baptist Church by the Rev. Trigg Fraley. Burial was in the Judd Cemetery at Norris. A farmer, Howard was born in Lawrence County, a son of Bennie Howard and the late Mrs. Oma Wiley Howard. Surviving are the father, the widow, Mrs. Sarah Morgan Howard, to whom he had been married 11 years; a son, Robert Howard, hat home, three sisters, Mrs. Arlie Edwards, Ulysses, Mrs. Sam Moore, Norris and Mrs. Roy Pack of Mechanicsburg, OH and three brothers, Tom and Benny Howard, Jr. of Ulysses and Offutt Howard of Norris. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Curtright Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, January 8, 1953

HOWARD, Sarah

Fifteen year old Bobby Caldwell (Howard) is still being held in jail here without bond after being charged with killing both his mother and his stepfather. Young Howard (as he called himself since his mother remarried) was taken into custody late last Thursday after he had killed his mother, Mrs. Sarah Howard, 43, with a single shotgun blast. Sheriff Vessie L. Workman said the sullen little youth was charged also with the fatal poisoning of his stepfather late in December. Sheriff Workman said he answered the call brought here by Walter Lowe, and found the boy completely unperturbed. He was at no time, during the questioning, emotional or upset. His answers were in a  low monotone., and somewhat incoherent. In talking with neighbors of the logging camp where the mother was killed, Workman said, he observed that the boy had a very bad reputation, and had been accused of shooting at a group of neighbor girls a day earlier. Investigation of the motive brought State Detective Arch Thompson into the case.

Thompson went to the scene of the crime Friday and talked with neighbors and came to Louisa and discussed the situation with Workman. Late Friday afternoon, Detective Thompson, in the presence of Jailer Elmer Adkins, Sheriff Workman, The Big Sandy News and others, obtained a confession concerning the poisoning of the boy's stepfather. According to the confession, Bobby said he poisoned his stepfather, Lum Howard, a sickly man, because he had "whipped me fer nuthin". He also admitted he killed his mother because she had known that he poisoned her husband and had threatened to inform the officers of the law. In early questioning, young Howard, said he had thought much  after eating lunch about killing his mother, and "just couldn't get it off my mind." He finally shot her as she entered the house with a load of wood. He stated that he purposely aimed below the wood because he knew a shotgun wouldn't pierce the wood and still kill.

After shooting his mother, he lingered around the logging camp for some time before telling anyone what had happened. He said he was afraid his uncle, John Morgan, would kill him if he found he had killed his sister. In the discussion on poisoning Lum Howard, young Bobby, who had served three hitches in a reform school, said he bought rat poison and put in a glass of water which his mother gave to the man. The boy said his mother did not know of the poison in the water at the time she gave it to the man, but she later informed him that she knew. Bobby said he threw the poison away, but informed Detective Thompson of the store where he purchased it. The grocer confirmed the sale to young Howard. Judge Dan D.  Ball, who at first placed the boy under a $10,000 bond, withdrew it after he admitted the second murder. Physicians at the hospital, where the elder Howard died, said they had administered for pneumonia, in accordance with the symptoms. Later investigation revealed that the type of poison used has very similar effects to pneumonia. The boy remained in jail here while the mother was buried at Wilbur with simple graveside rites. Services were under the direction of Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, January 29, 1953 (Note: Sarah Elizabeth Morgan Howard was born March 19, 1909 in Wayne County, WV died Jan 22, 1953, daughter of Jack Morgan and Margaret Adkins)

MILLER, Albert

1901-1953

Albert C. Miller, 51, a retired merchant, who operated a retail store in Louisa for 15 years, died at 1:45 a.m. Saturday at his home at Route 1, Clayton Lane, Louisa. His death followed a nine months illness. Born at rout 1, Meade's Branch on April 12, 1901, he was a son of Mrs. Josie Thompson Miller and the late John R. Miller. He moved from Meade's Branch to Louisa 15 years ago and had been a farmer before becoming a merchant. Since his retirement 5 years ago, he had resided at the Clayton Lane section. Funeral services were conducted Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at the Meade's Branch Freewill Baptist Church with the Rev. W. S. Boggs and the Rev. Bird Webb officiating. Burial was in the Miller Cemetery, Meade's Branch. Mr. Miller had been a member of the Meade's Branch Church for 30 years. Surviving are the widow, Mrs. Della Ray Childers Miller, to whom he was married 33 years ago; his mother, Mrs. Josie Thompson Miller; four daughters, Mrs. Lawrence Patrick, route 1, Louisa, Mrs. R. J. Felix, Huntington, WV, Mrs. Jeff Preece, route 3, Louisa, and Miss Pauline Miller, at home, seven sons, Bascome Miller, route 1, Louisa, John R. , Ishmael, and Albert Miller, Jr., all three of Columbus, OH, Jimmy Ray, Homer Lee and Freddie Miller, all at home; six sisters, Mrs. Alex Triplett, Mrs. Ernie Thompson and Mrs. Ralph Arrington, all of route 1, Louisa, Mrs. Lester Judd, Drift, KY, Mrs. Carl Scenters, Betsy Layne, KY, and Mrs. Jay Hinkle, Louisa; two brothers, J. R. Miller of Louisa, and Edward Miller of route 1, Louisa, and 8 grandchildren. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Curtright Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, January 22, 1953

MOORE, A. L. (Link)

Death came late Tuesday evening to Abraham Lincoln (Link) Moore, 85, a retired farmer. He had been in ill health for several years, and had lived on Lock Avenue for 7 years. A native of Pilgrim, KY, he was the son of Samuel and Mary Maynard Moore. Funeral services will be conducted Friday at the Louisa Freewill Baptist Church with Rev. W. S. Boggs officiating. Burial will be in the Moore Cemetery at Two Mile under the direction of Young Funeral Home. He had been a lifelong member of the Freewill Baptist Church. Survivors include the widow, Rebecca Mullins Moore; six daughters, Mrs. Oliver Newsom, Catlettsburg, KY, Mrs. Allen Lambert, route 4, Louisa, Mrs. Levisa Diamond, Waverly, OH, Mrs. John Bradley, Ashland, KY, Mrs. Lester Alley, route 4, Louisa, Mrs. W. D. Ford, St. Albans, WV, four sons, Roscoe Moore, Buchanan, KY, Samuel B. Moore, Anchorage, KY, Andrew Moore, Albany, OH, McKinley Moore, Anchorage, KY; one sister, Mrs. Minta Justice, Ashland, KY, one brother, Albert Moore, Pilgrim, KY; 42 grandchildren, 69 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. Big Sandy News, January 15, 1953

NICKELL, Jack

1898-1953

Jack Nickell, 54, of Fallsburg, KY, a livestock dealer and merchant, died Friday in a Louisa hospital. Mr. Nickell suffered a cerebral hemorrhage Tuesday. Funeral services were conducted at 10 a.m. Sunday at the Savage Memorial Methodist Church at Fallsburg by the Rev. Dave Hewlett and Rev. Fred Vanhorn. Burial was in the Nickell cemetery at Stacy Fork, KY. The Rev. Jack Perkins conducted graveside services. Mr. Nickell was born February 1, 1898, at Stacy Fork, a son of Mrs. Rosalee Qucksall Nickell of Stacy Fork and the late McKinley Nickell. He was married in 1927 to Miss Clara Mae Vanhorn, who survives. Mr. Nickell had formerly been manager of Kroger stores in Louisa and Ashland. He was a member of the Kannery Masonic Lodge. Additional survivors include four daughters, Mrs. Vernie Montgomery of Springfield, OH,Mrs. Raymond Gose of West Liberty, KY and Misses Betty Carol and Linda J. Nickell at home; three sisters, Mrs. Creed Stacy of Scottsburg, IN, Mrs. Bill Perry of Commiskey, IN, and Mrs. Hubert Carter of Deputy, IN; one brother, Jim Nickell of Stacy Fork, and two grandchildren. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Curtright Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, January 29, 1953

PAGE, Tom

Tom Page, 57, died early Tuesday afternoon after being taken to the hospital as a result of a heart attack. Physicians said he lived only a short time after arrival. A native of Louisa, Page had spent his life here and had been in the barbering business for 41 years. He had been with the Sanitary Barber Shop  for 27 years. He was the son of Mrs. Tessie Heston Page and the late Lewis Edward Page. He married Mayme Wellman 36 years ago. He was a member of the Christian Church for 40 years and was ordained as a deacon two years ago. The time and day for the funeral have not been completed. The services will be conducted from the First Christian Church with Rev. Carl Hall officiating. Interment will be in Pine Hill Cemetery. The body is at Curtright Funeral Home. Survivors include the widow, the mother, three daughters, Mrs. Claud Ratcliffe, Van Nuys, CA, Mrs. Glen Short Cloudcaft, NM, Mrs. J. R. Milum, fort Sill, OK; one son, Ira Thomas Page, at home; one sister, Mrs. J.M. Rankin, Louisa, and three brothers, John W. and Ben H. Page, Louisa, Bruce E. Page, Columbus, OH and four granddaughters. Big Sandy News, January 22,  1953

PATRICK, Frank

1880-1952

Frank Patrick, 72, of Louisa, route 1, died at his home Wednesday, last week at 7 a.m. following an illness of two years. Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Moore's Chapel Free Will Baptist Church of Louisa, route 1, by the Rev. Gallie Isaac. Burial was in the Blackburn Cemetery. Patrick, a retired farmer, was born in Johnson County, KY December 10, 1880, a son of the late Greenville and Evelyn Lafferty Patrick. His wife, Mrs. Julia Hickman Patrick, died in 1945. Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Monroe Fugitt, Mrs. A. W. Rittenberry and Mrs. Cleveland Cox of Louisa route 1; three sons, Arlie and Lawrence Patrick of Louisa, route 1, and Guy Patrick of Paducah, KY; a sister, Mrs. Charles Ferrell of West Virginia; and 28 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Curtright Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, January 8, 1953

SHORTRIDGE, Lorena (Adams)

1911-1952

Mrs. Lorena Adams Shortridge, 41, a former resident of Louisa, was killed Wednesday of last week near Tampa, FL when she was struck by an automobile. According to information received Mrs. Shortridge and three other ladies had been riding in an automobile which ran out of gasoline and had to be parked along a highway. Shortly after the arrival of a service station attendant with the gasoline, Mrs. Shortridge and another woman , who were standing alongside their car, were struck by a speeding auto. Mrs. Shortridge had resided in Tampa for about 10 years and was employed as a floor lady with the American Can Company there. She had previously lived in Louisa, Wayland and Wheelwright. She was born at Tuscola in Lawrence County, September 25, 1911, and was a daughter of George W. Adams, who survives and the late Mrs. Carrie Ramey Adams. The body was removed from the Curtright Funeral Home to the residence of a sister, Mrs. Denver Clay at Louisa, Sunday at 3 p.m. Funeral services were conducted Monday at 2 p.m. at the Savage Memorial Methodist church at Fallsburg, KY, with the Rev. Fred Vanhorn and the Rev. Jack Perry officiating. Burial was in Pinehill Cemetery at Louisa. In addition to her father, she is survived by one son, William S. Shortridge, Columbus, OH; six sisters, Mrs. Clay, Mrs. Talmage Reynolds, Milton, WV, Mrs. Kermit Chadwick, St. Petersburg, FL, Miss Pauline Adams, Tampa, FL, Mrs. W. E. McReynolds, Westerville, OH, and Mrs. Wayne Short, Columbus, OH, and one brother, James E. Adams, Huntington, WV. Big Sandy News, January 1, 1953

SPILLMAN, Carl

Funeral services for Carl Spillman, 59, of Fallsburg, KY, this county, who was killed in a traffic mishap at Columbus, OH, on Tuesday, last week, were conducted at 10 a.m. Sunday at the Savage Memorial Church at Fallsburg by the Rev. Fred Vanhorn. Burial followed in the Spillman Cemetery. Spillman, according to relatives was struck by a car in Columbus, where he was visiting relatives. He was a native of Lawrence County, a son of the late Jeff and Mollie Berry Spillman, Surviving are the widow, Mrs. Effie S. Spillman, four daughters, Mrs. Charlie Crabtree of Columbus, Mrs. Harvey Adkins of Louisa, route 3, and Miss Nanny Spillman and miss Mollie Mae Spillman of Fallsburg; five sons, Manley and Lonnie Spillman of Columbus and Willard, Joe and Carl Spillman of Fallsburg; two sisters, Mrs. Hazel Crabtree of Groveport, OH, and Mrs. Dora Bevins of Louisa, route 3, and two brothers, Martin and Wirt Spillman of Louisa, route 3. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Curtright Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, January 1, 1953

THOMPSON, Telia (Estep)

1899-1953

Mrs. Telia Estep Thompson, 53, of Adams, KY, died at 12:50 a.m. Friday in a local hospital. She suffered a stroke while in the yard of her home about 4 p.m. Thursday and lived only about nine hours after her sudden illness. A daughter of the late James and Rebecca McKinster Estep, she was born April 21, 1899 at Norris, KY. Her husband, Lewis S. Thompson, died in November 1952. Mrs. Thompson had been a member of the Free Will Baptist Church for the past 35 years. The body was a the Curtright Funeral Home and was removed to the residence Saturday at 4 p.m. Last rites were conducted Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Evergreen Methodist Church at Adams with the Rev. Gallie Isaac officiating. Burial was in the Thompson Cemetery at Adams. Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Kay Thompson, Jr., route 1, Louisa, and Mrs. John Hayes, Adams, KY, three sons, Ezra Thompson, Ashland, KY, Lewis Thompson, Jr., route 1, Louisa, and Pvt. Shannon Thompson, U. S. Army in Germany, three sisters, Mrs. Lee Robinett, Columbus, OH, Mrs. Jay Thompson, Adams, KY, and Mrs. Graydon Thompson, Norris, KY, three brothers, Bill Estep, Adams, Kay Estep, Adams, and Edger Estep of Springfield, OH and six grandchildren. Big Sandy News, January 8, 1953

VINSON, Emma D. (Burchett)

1871-1953

Mrs. Emma D. Burchett Vinson, one of Louisa's well-known and beloved women, passed away Friday, January 23, at 1:30 p.m. at the home of her daughter, Mrs. T. W. Hodge, 2603 Terrace Boulevard, Ashland, KY where she had resided since December 4, 1952, following an illness of three days suffering from a heart attack. Mrs. Vinson was born in Louisa, October 12, 1871. She was a daughter of the late Major D.J. and Adelaide Jones Burchett and had spent her entire life in Louisa. She was a lifelong member of the First Methodist Church and had served as pianist for that church, as well as the Louisa Methodist Church for many years. She also served as pianist for the colored Methodist congregation when they dedicated their church. She was an active and loyal church woman until ill health overtook her. Her husband G. R. Vinson, president of the First National Bank preceded her in death May 7, 1939. Mrs. Vinson was removed from her residence on Franklin Street to the Louisa Methodist Church at 1:30 p.m. Monday to lie in state until the funeral hour at 2:30 where a large assembly gathered to attend the last rites which were conducted by the Rev. J. C. Hager, Rev. Charles Perry, Rev. E. K. Meyers, and Rev. Carl Hall. Interment was made in the Pinehill Cemetery, under the direction of the Curtright Funeral Home. Survivors are the daughter, and sisters, Mrs. John F. Ratcliff, Louisa, and Mrs. Adelaide Biggs of Mt. Sterling, KY. Big Sandy News, January 29, 1953

VINSON, Robert W.

1881-1952

Robert W. Vinson, 71, former Louisa postmaster and brother of Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court Fred M. Vinson, died Monday morning at 8:45 a.m. after an illness of long duration. "Big Bob", as he was known here was born at Donithan, August 13, 1881 the son of the late James and Virginia Ferguson Vinson. Funeral services are schedules for Thursday afternoon at 2 p.m. at the Louisa Methodist Church with the Rev. Charles Perry officiating. Burial will be in Pine Hill Cemetery. He came to Louisa in the 1880's by flatboat after his father had been elected jailer, and spent most of his life here. He attended Centre College and played on the Centre Football team. Early in the century he was dubbed a "good Samaritan" because of his part in carrying messages for many miles around his area. His telephone was the last on the road and people always depended upon him to take messages to their relatives, despite the weather. Because of ill health he resigned from his position as postmaster three years ago after having served 16 years. He had earlier been magistrate, highway inspector, district probation officer and farmer. Surviving are the widow, Mrs. Helen Compton Vinson, Louisa, Miss Lou Vinson, a sister, and Chief Justice Fred M. Vinson of Washington, D. C., foster daughter, Mrs. Grace Gray, Kermit, WV also survives. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Curtright Funeral Home. Big Sandy news, January 1, 1953

WARD, Lonnie B.

1913-1953

Lonnie B. Ward, 39, of Webbville, KY, died last Wednesday in an Ashland hospital. Death resulted from complications which developed after he was injured two months ago in an industrial accident at Ashland. Funeral services were conducted at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Dry Fork Church at Webbville, with Rev. Fred Vanhorn and Rev. Jet Blevins officiating. Burial was in Graham Cemetery at Cherokee. W. O. Johnson Post of the American Legion, of which Ward, was a member, conducted graveside rites. Ward was born February 18, 1913, at Cherokee. His father was the late Lavesco Ward. His mother, since remarried, is Mrs. Gertrude Ward Carter of Louisa. Ward was a veteran of World War II. Surviving in addition to the mother are the widow, Mrs. Anna Belle Perkins Ward; two children, two sisters, Mrs. Bernice Thompson of Marengo, OH and Mrs. Lee Barch of Roseville, MI; a brother, the Rev. Robert Ward of Mount Airy, NC; three half sisters, Mrs. Henry Saunders and Mrs. Donald Heston of London, OH and Mrs. Otchel Salyers of Louisa, a half brother, Geiger Carter of Pikeville and the stepfather, G. R. Carter of Louisa. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, January 15, 1953

FEBRUARY 1953

AKERS, Rilda (Preston)

1880-1953

Mrs. Rilda Preston Akers, 73, of Louisa, died Sunday morning in a local hospital following an illness of four months. Her husband, J.W. Akers died in 1939. Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the home of a son, J. M. Akers of George Creek, by the Rev. J. C. Hager and the Rev. Charles Perry. Burial was in the Akers Cemetery at Georges Creek with graveside rites Thursday. Mrs. Akers was born at Richardson, KY on August 15, 1879, a daughter of the late John McDonald and Jean Borders Preston. She lived at Richardson and at Georges Creek up until six years ago when she moved to Louisa. Mrs. Akers was a member of the Richardson Methodist Church for 58 years and for the past six years had been a member of the Louisa Methodist Church. Surviving in addition to the son, are three daughters, Mrs. George Brown of Prestonsburg, KY, Mrs. George Hill and Mrs. Edward Elble of Cincinnati; three other sons, G. P. Akers of Circleville, OH, J. W. Akers, Jr., of Stone, KY, and R. T. Akers of Louisa; a sister, Mrs. Bettie Wallace of Ashland and 14 grandchildren. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Curtright Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, February 12, 1953

BOOTH, Bobby

Death came late Tuesday to Bobby Booth 28, after a long illness. He died in a Lexington Hospital. The son of Charles and the late Jennie Ratcliff Booth, he was born at Whitehouse, KY. He resided at Patrick at the time of his death. Graveside funeral services were conducted today (Thursday) at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Earl Meade officiating. Burial was in the Ratcliff Cemetery under the direction of Curtright Funeral Home. Survivors include the father and one brother, Clell. Big Sandy News, February 26, 1953

BURGESS, Janie Augusta

1950-1953

Funeral services were conducted Wednesday afternoon from the Patrick Missionary Baptist Church for Janie Augusta Burgess, 2, who died of burns received Saturday at the home in Dayton, OH. Born September 9, 1950, at Paintsville, little Miss Burgess was the daughter of Burl and John Ella VanHoose Burgess, former Patrick residents. Rev. J. C. Hager, pastor of the Louisa Baptist Church, officiated at the services. Burial was in the Art Preston Cemetery at Patrick, under the direction of Curtright Funeral Home. Survivors included the parents, the maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. John VanHoose of Ulysses and the paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Burgess of Patrick. Big Sandy News, February 5, 1953

CHILDERS, Corilda Lee (Belcher)

1888-1953

Mrs. Corilda Lee Belcher Childers passed away Tuesday night at 10:45 following one year illness in a hospital in Portsmouth, OH.  She had resided at 3819 Rhodes Ave., New Boston, OH for the past year.  She was a widow of Leonard Childers, who passed away in 1940.  She was born August 24, 1888 at Gallup, KY, a daughter of the late Richard and Elizabeth Belcher.  She resided in Louisa for 24 years.  Mrs. Childers will be removed from Portsmouth, OH to the Curtright Funeral Home, Friday, and funeral services will be held Sunday at 2:00 p.m. from the Freewill Baptist Church in Louisa, with the Revs. Dewey Wright, W. S. Boggs and Kelly Patton officiating.  Interment will be made in the Childers Cemetery at Gallup, KY.  Survivors include five daughters, Mrs. Mary Workman, Gallipolis Ferry, WV, Mrs. Gay Bradley, Louisa, Mrs. Lenora Cullum, New Boston, OH, Mrs. Elizabeth Collier, South Webster, OH, Mrs. Ethel Mounts, Portsmouth, OH; two sons, Clarence Childers, New Boston and Paul Childers, Miamisburg, OH; two sisters, Mrs. Trimble Chapman, Portsmouth, OH, Mrs. Lou Childers, Gallup, KY; three brothers, Richard and Donald Belcher, Toledo, OH, and William Belcher of South Point, OH, and 10 grandchildren. Big Sandy News, February 5, 1953

GEORGE, Everett

1914-1953

Everett George, 38, of Urbana, OH, formerly of Georges Creek, KY, who died Friday at Urbana, following an illness of two weeks, was buried in Borders Chapel Cemetery following funeral services at the chapel at 10 a.m. Tuesday, conducted by the Rev. Mr. Dixon and the Rev. Mr. Mounds. Mr. George was born November 1, 1914, a son of James and Tisha Boyd George, both of whom survive and now live at Urbana. Surviving in addition to the parents are the widow, Mrs. Laura May Preston George; two sons, Carey Lee and James Earl; three sisters, Mrs. Mitchell Burton and Mrs. Eugene Sparks of Cable, OH, and Mrs. Luther Cox, of Georges Creek; two brothers, Mitchell and Oshel George, Urbana. Services were under the direction of Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, February 5, 1953

HALL, Lucy William

1861-1953

Miss Lucy William Hall of 1204 Gallia Street, Portsmouth, OH sister of Mrs. M. J. Riggs and great aunt of Miss Sally Cain Riggs, Louisa, passed away at her home recently at Portsmouth. Funeral services were conducted at the First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. George DeHorty reading the burial ritual. Miss Hall, who lived all her life in Portsmouth was born December 19, 1861. She was graduated as an honor student from high school in the class of 1878 and there upon began an unbroken period of years as a teacher. While interested in civic affairs in general, her outstanding service to her native town was as teacher of history and English in Portsmouth High School. At the time of Miss Hall's death she was an honorary member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society; a member of the Portsmouth Reading Club, a charter member of the Samuel Marshall Chapter, Daughters of 1812 and of Joseph Spencer Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. A descendant of pioneer families, she was active in the formation of "The Historical Society of Scioto County.' An historian, she compiled a "History of the Kinney's in Portsmouth, from 1800-1951. Big Sandy News, February 5, 1953

HINKLE, James W.

1877-1953

Funeral services for James William Hinkle, 75, a former county attorney of Richardson, KY, who died at his home Saturday at 12:30 a.m. were conducted Monday at 2 p.m. at the Richardson Methodist Church. The Rev. J. C. Hager officiated and burial was in the family cemetery at Richardson under the direction of Curtright Funeral Home. Masonic rites were conducted at the graveside. Mr. Hinkle, a retired attorney, merchant, and farmer, had been ill about 3 1/2 years before his death. He was born April 29, 1877, at Star Furnace, Carter County, KY, a son of the late Randolph and Charlotte Harris Hinkle. He served as county attorney of Lawrence County from 1909 to 1913 and again from 1942 to 1946. Between those terms, he was a practicing attorney and merchant at Richardson. He also served as postmaster and his widow has more recently held that position. He was a member of the Royal Arch Mason of Louisa and the Richardson Masonic Lodge No. 699 and received his 50 years membership pin in 1950. He had been a member of the Methodist Church for 60 years. His marriage to the former miss Leona Gunnell took place 46 years ago. Surviving are the widow, one daughter Mrs. Clark Watson, Columbus, OH, one son, James William Randolph Hinkle, of Lexington, KY. Big Sandy News, February 26, 1953

HOWARD, Emma (Morgan)

1899-1953

Death came late Monday afternoon to Mrs. Emma Howard, wife of Tommie Howard, Ulysses, after a five month illness. She was a native of Punching Camp, WV and the daughter of Jack and Margaret Adkins Morgan. A member of the Baptist Church she was 54 years of age. Funeral services, under the direction of Young Funeral Home, were conducted Wednesday morning at the Walnut Grove Church with Rev. Byrd Webb officiating. Burial was in the Howard Cemetery. Survivors include the husband, one daughter, Mrs. James Charles, Charley, KY; one son, Andrew Howard, Ulysses, KY, and one brother, John Morgan of Coal Gap, WV. Big Sandy News, February 26, 1953

HUDSON, Carl

1912-1953

Carl E. Hudson, 40, of Louisa, who died Sunday at his home after suffering a heart attack, was buried in Pine Hill Cemetery following funeral services at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Louisa Methodist Church, conducted by the Rev. Charles Perry and the Rev. E. K. Meyers. Member of the Odd Fellows Lodge and the American Legion conducted graveside rites. Mr. Hudson, a painter, served in the Navy for 10 years prior to and during World War II. He was a member of the Louisa Methodist Church, the W. O. Johnson Post 89 of the American Legion, and of Louisa Lodge 270, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Surviving are the widow, Mrs. Gary Vaughn Hudson; a daughter, Joan Hudson, at home; the parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Hudson of Louisa; a brother, Theodore Hudson of Ashland. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, February 12, 1953

LACY, Ann (Prichard)

1862-1953

Mrs. Ann Prichard Lacy, 90, a former resident of West Liberty, KY, died at 8:50 a.m. Monday in a Williamson, WV hospital. Mrs. Lacy had been making her home with a niece, Mrs. Melvia Meek, at Williamson. She was born April 18, 1862, at Hitchins, KY, a daughter of the late George and Olevia Bolt Prichard. Her husband, Boone Lacy, preceded her in death in 1937. She was a member of the Christian Church. The body was brought to the Curtright Funeral Home where funeral services were conducted Wednesday at 2 p.m. The Rev. Hassel Justice and the Rev. A. J. Grimmet officiated and burial took place in the Meek Cemetery at Louisa. In addition to her niece, Mrs. Meek, she is also survived by 11 other nieces, Miss Tillie Prichard, Mrs. Claude Fields, Mrs. Glen Rucker and Mrs. James Vinson, all of Hitchins, Mrs. Frank Meek, and Mrs. George R. Meek, both of route 1, Louisa, Mrs. Russell Fields of Amberstdale, WV, Mrs. Bud Turney of Olive Hill, Mrs. Donald Damron of Grayson, Mrs. Jack Wolf of Tulsa, OK, and Mrs. Dot Robinson of Russell, KY and seven nephews, Proctor and George Prichard of Hitchins, Watt and Curtis Prichard of Grayson, Jim and Robert Prichard of Youngstown, OH and William Elam of West Liberty, KY. Big Sandy News, February 26, 1953

LAMBERT, Laura (Thompson)

1893-1953

Mrs. Laura Lambert, 59, died Sunday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. at her home at Saltpetre, in Wayne County, WV, following a long illness. Mrs. Lambert was born at Radnor, WV, March 11, 1893, a daughter of Elias and Frankie Smith Thompson. A resident of Saltpetre for the past 18 years, she was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. The body was removed from the Young Funeral Home in Louisa to the residence Monday afternoon at 2 p.m. Funeral services were conducted Tuesday at 1 p.m. at the Lambert home, and burial was in Thompson Cemetery at Radnor. Surviving are the husband, James Lambert, two daughters Mrs. Strother Fitzpatrick, MOnroe, MI and Miss Pearl Lambert at home. Big Sandy News, February 19,1 953

PRESTON, Sarah Jane (Parks)

1868-1953

Mrs. Sarah Jane Preston, 84, of Louisa Route 2, died at 5:30 a.m. Monday at her home. She had suffered a fractured hip in a fall 10 days before her death. Funeral services were conducted at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday from the Louisa Methodist Church by the Rev. Charles Perry and the Rev. G. L. Thompson. Burial and graveside services were at the Preston Cemetery, at Patrick, KY. Mrs. Preston was born March 13, 1868, at Patrick, a daughter of the late Mack and Julia Perry Parks. Her husband, L. M. Preston, died 44 years ago. Survivors include two daughters, Miss Mae Preston of Williamson, WV and Miss Rae Preston of Louisa Route 2; one son, Marcus Preston of Route 2; two sisters, Mrs. F. C. McClure of Louisa Route 2, and Mrs. Molly Haws of La Habra, CA, and one brother Ed Parks of Fort Gay, Route 2. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, Thursday, February 12, 1953

SAMMONS, Emma (Dobbins)

1882-1953

Mrs. Emma Dobbins Sammons, 70, of Detroit, formerly of Gallup, KY, died at 3 a.m. Monday at her home after an illness of one year. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Methodist Church at Chapman, KY, with Rev. Charles Perry officiating. Burial will be in the family cemetery at Gallup. Mrs. Sammons was born August 28, 1882, a daughter of the late Francis and Rebecca Peck Dobbins. She was the widow of M. R. Sammons. Survivors include one son, Frederick Sammons of Detroit and two brothers, Sheridan Dobbins of Huntington and M. F. Dobbins of Memphis, TN. The body arrived at the Young Funeral Home Wednesday morning. Big Sandy News, February 19, 1953

SHANNON, William M.

1880-1953

William M. Shannon, 72, of route 1, Louisa, died here Wednesday of last week following an illness of several days. He suffered a heart attack one week before his death. A retired farmer, he was born August 7, 1880, at the Lick Creek section of route 1, a son of the late Harry and Eliza Ballard Shannon. He was married on May 16, 1900 to Miss Molly Lucinda Parker, who survives. He was a member of the Baptist Church. Funeral services were conducted Friday at 2 p.m. at Moore's Chapel on Lick Creek with the Rev. S. B. Ball and the Rev. W. S. Boggs officiating. Burial was in the family cemetery near his home. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Young Funeral Home. In addition to the widow, he is survived by 8 daughters, , Mrs. Tom Isaacs, and Mrs. W. H. Preece, both of route 1, Louisa, Mrs. Kinner Brown, Cyclone, WV, Mrs. Henry Cochran, Taplia, WV, Mrs. Kenneth Chapman, Urbana, OH, Mrs. Homer Chapman, Mechanicsburg, OH, Mrs. Elwood Wallace, Cincinnati, OH, and Mrs. Russell Barber, Dayton, OH; two sons, General Shannon, route 1, and Clyde Shannon, athome; five sisters, Mrs. Arthur Foster, Drift, KY, Mrs. Dave Adams, and Mrs. Nannie Preece, both of route 1, and Mrs. Gallie Peters and Mrs. Sissie Peters, both of Fort Gay, WV; six brothers, Harve Shannon and Jeff Shannon, both of Drift, Jim Shannon, route 1, John Shannon, Ironton, OH, and Alex Shannon, Detroit, MI; 13 grandchildren and one great grandchild. Big Sandy News, February 12, 1953

WELLMAN, Ada (Heston)

1884-1953

Mrs. Ada Heston Wellman, 68, a former resident of Louisa, died Saturday at her home at 718 Third Street, Portsmouth, OH, where she had lived for the past 35 years. She had been in ill health for about one year but her death was unexpected. Mrs. Wellman was born in Louisa, August 12, 1884, a daughter of the late Zeblon and Mary Ann Sneed Heston. She was a member of the Methodist Church since early childhood. Funeral services were conducted Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. at the First Methodist Church with the Rev. J. C. Hager and the Rev. E. K. Meyers officiating. Burial was in the Pine Hill Cemetery. Surviving are four sisters, Mrs. Tessie Page, Louisa, Mrs. Lida Bishop, Sciotoville, OH, Mrs. Jim Culver, Wheelersburg, OH and Mrs. Lillian Pickrell, Louisa and one brother, Ben Heston, Oak Ridge, TN. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Curtright Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, February 19, 1953

WELLMAN, Wallace

1953-1953

Wallace Wellman, II, five day old son of Wallace and Bernice Maynard Wellman of Louisa, died at 3 p.m.  Wednesday of last week in the Riverview Hospital. Graveside funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Maynard Cemetery near Catlettsburg by the Rev. J. C. Hager. Additional survivors include the paternal grandfather, Charles L. Wellman, of Louisa, and the maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Toby Maynard of Catlettsburg, route 1, Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, February 26, 1953

MARCH, 1953

ANDERSON, Laura

Miss Laura Anderson, a former Louisa resident, passed away February 20, 1953, in Sheltering Arms Hospital, Athens, OH, after an illness of twenty days. The body was flown, on February 23 to Franklin, PA, her old home, where final services were conducted and interment was made in the family cemetery. Her sister, Mrs. Jane Kirk, is the only survivor of a family of five. Out-of-town relatives who came from a distance to attend the funeral were T/Sgt. Walden Kirk of Albuquerque, NM, Mr. and Mrs. P. W. Franks and two daughters of Newark, OH, J. L. Kirk, Mrs. L. P. Kirk and Mrs. Neil Kirk Starbuck, all of St. Albans, WV. Big Sandy News, March 12, 1953

BUSH, Catherine Irene

1953-1953

Death came Saturday to Catherine Irene Bush, four day old daughter of Mr. an Mrs. W. A. Bush, Augusta, GA and formerly of Louisa. She was a granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Bush, Lady Washington Street, Louisa. Big Sandy News, March 26, 1953

CHURCH, Patrick

1884-1953

Patrick Church, 68, died at the home of a daughter, Mrs. J. J. Scarberry, route 1, Louisa, at 4:45 p.m. Friday, following an illness of four months. He was born October 19, 1884, a son of the late Harve and Lou Ann Steele Church. He had been a Lawrence County Farmer most of his life. Funeral services were conducted at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Bells Chapel Church on Route 1, with the Rev. Jay Preston and the Rev. Bird Webb. Burial was in the family cemetery. Surviving in addition to Mrs. Scarberry are four other daughters, Mrs. Sam Mattox, Mrs. G. C. Blauser and Mrs. Melvin Mueller, all of Lancaster, OH, and Mrs. Stewart Whaley, of Louisville, KY, 8 sons, Oscar Church of Mishawaka, IN, Gradon, Cecil and Vaughn Church all of Lancaster, OH, Stanton Church of Bakersfield, CA, Elwood Church of Philadelphia, PA, Alvis Church of Louisville and Allen Church, with the u. S. Army at Fort Campbell, KY, one sister, Mrs. Dennie Moore of rout 1, Louisa; four brothers, Chilt, Worth and Lonzo Church, all of Lowmansville, KY, and Dewey Church of Adams, KY and 36 grandchildren. His wife, Mrs. Lizzie Jane Hannah Church, died in 1949. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Curtright Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, March 5, 1953

CORDLE, Molly (Cyrus)

1867-1953

Mrs. Molly Cyrus Cordle, 85, of Cordell, KY, died Saturday night at 11:30 p.m. in a Louisa hospital, where she had been a patient since her home was destroyed by fire two weeks ago. Mrs. Cordle, bedfast, at the time of the fire was carried safely from the burning home, wrapped in a blanket, but she suffered from shock. The blanket in which she was wrapped was all that was saved from the home. Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Cordell Freewill Baptist Church by the Rev. Millard VanHoose, the Rev. W. S. Boggs and the Rev. Linzie Cyrus. Burial was in the Cordle Cemetery at Cordell. Mrs. Cordle was the widow of Jess H. Cordle, who died June 30, 1922, her birthday. Mrs. Cordle was born June 30, 1867 on Tabor's Creek, near Fort Gay, a daughter of Jack and Reina Newman Cyrus. She was a member of the Freewill Baptist Church for 60 years and a member of Blaine Chapter, Order of Eastern Star. Surviving are one son, Jess H. Cordle of Cordell; one sister, Mrs. William Salyers of Columbus and one grandchild. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Curtright Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, March 19, 1953

FIELDS, James A.

1883-1953

James Anderson Fields, 70, of Maynard Branch, Louisa route 2, died at 8:45 a.m. Thursday of last week at his home. Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Friday at the residence by the Rev. Sammy Branham. Burial was in the Carr Cemetery on Louisa, route 2. Mr. Fields was born January 25, 1883, in Martin County, a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Fields, and operated a sawmill near Louisa. He was married 38 years ago to Miss Ella Harvey, who survives. Additional survivors include two daughters, Miss Violet Fields, Mansfield, OH and Mrs. Brooke Hammonds of Cleveland; two sons, Paris Fields of Mansfield and Private Glen Fields, stationed in the Army at Camp Breckinridge, KY; three sisters, Mrs. Jason Taylor and Mrs. Henry Carr of Louisa, route 2, and Mrs. Delia Wilson of Inez, KY; two brothers, Preston Fields of Dafter, MI and Eldon Fields of Ecorse, MI and five grandchildren. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Curtright Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, March 26, 1953

HAMMOND, Otto

Otto Hammond, 58, a native of Louisa, and an engineer with the N & W Railway, was claimed Thursday of last week at the Veteran Hospital in Huntington after an illness of four months. A member of the American Legion, he was the son of the late Elijah F. and Thursa Branham Hammond, and a veteran of the First World War. Funeral services were conducted Sunday afternoon from Young Funeral Home with the Rev. Charles Perry officiating. Burial was in Pine Hill Cemetery. American Legion rites were conducted at graveside, Surviving, besides the wife, Mrs. Ruby Bentley Hammond, are two daughters. Mrs. Robert Huff, Charleston, WV and Ida Jean Hammond, at home; two sons, Henry T. Hammond of Jeffersonville, IN and Otto Harold Hammond, at home; two sisters, Mrs. Frank Parson, Ashland, KY and Mrs. D. S. Hill, Orange, VA; five brothers, Thomas J. Hammond, Collinsville, CT, Mort W. Hammond, Hagertown, MD, Laben T. Hammond Jeffersonville, IN, James W. Hammond and Robert B. Hammond, Ashland, KY. Big Sandy News, March 12, 1953

HANLEY, Gracie (Christian)

1872-1953

Mrs. Gracie Christian Hanley, 80, a resident of Route 1, Fort Gay, WV, died Wednesday of last week at 11:45 p.m. at the home of her son in law and daughter, Rev. and Mrs. Frank R. McKinster, at Peterstown, WV. Mrs. Hanley was born at route 1, Fort Gay, November 1, 1872, a daughter of the late Anderville and Mary Jane Osborn Christian. She lived her entire life at Route 1, Fort Gay, with the exception of the past six months which was spent at her daughter's home. She was a member of the Big Hurricane Baptist Church for 60 years. Her husband, Cousie Hanley preceded her in death May 5, 1943. Funeral services were conducted Sunday at 2 p.m. at Tabor's Creek Baptist Church with the Rev. Carvell Grant officiating. Interment was in the Hanley Cemetery on Tabor's Creek. The body remained at the Curtright Funeral Home until 12:30 p.m. Sunday when it was taken to the church to lie in state for one hour before the last rites. Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Mary McKinster; two sons, Gus Hanley, Gallipolis, OH, and Anderville Hanley, Trenton, NJ; one sister, Mrs. Erie Lakin, Prichard, WV; one brother, Dwight Christian, Rittman, OH; three grandsons, one great granddaughter and one great grandson. Big Sandy News, March 26, 1953

HAYWOOD, John Luther

Death came early Wednesday morning to John Luther Haywood, 48, after an illness of more than three years. He died in the Veterans' Hospital at Huntington. A Louisa merchant for 10 years and later an employee of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway, he was the son of John and Carrie Compton Haywood, both of whom survive. A Mason and Odd Fellow, he was a veteran of World War Ii and a member of the Louisa Methodist Church. Short funeral services will be conducted this evening (Thursday) at 7:30 from his home here with Rev. Charles Perry officiating. Later the body will be removed to Camp, VA, where funeral services will be conducted from the Blue Springs Methodist Church. Interment will follow in the Blue Springs Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by Young Funeral Home. Survivors include the widow, Mrs. Fay Hilda McCowan; a daughter Judith Carol Haywood, at home; one son, Charles L. Haywood, Pikeville, three sisters, and four brothers and the parents. Big Sandy News, March 5, 1953

HOWARD, Benjamin

Death came late Monday afternoon to Benjamin Howard, 79, at Ulysses, after an illness of one month. A farmer, he was born at Adams, the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. James Howard. Funeral services were conducted Wednesday afternoon at the Spencer Church with interment in the Judd Cemetery. He was a member of the United Baptist Church. Rev. Byrd Webb and Rev. Trigg Fraley officiated. Survivors include three daughters, Mrs. Arley Edwards, Ulysses, Mrs. Sam Moore, Norris, KY and Mrs. Roy Pack, Mechanicsburg, OH, three sons, Tom Howard, Ulysses, Offut Howard, Norris and Junior Howard, Ulysses, and 30 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren.  Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, March 2, 1953

LYON, James M.

James Manford Lyon, 84 year old retired Norfolk and Western Railway employee and native of Lawrence County, died at 1 p.m. Tuesday morning at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Jay Young, of the Laurel section of Boyd County. His death followed and extended illness. Mr. Lyon had made his home with his daughter for the past ten years. He was a member of the United Baptist Church  of Blaine, and of the john Rice Lodge No. 606, F & A. M. , also of Blaine. Surviving are five sons, Alonzo of Orville, OH, Everett of Portsmouth, OH, Clifford of Circleville, OH, Tom of Columbus, OH, and Noah of Ashland, KY; three daughters, Mrs. Young with whom he made his home, Mrs. John Coffey of Canton, OH, and Mrs. Bernard Wellington of Orville, OH and one brother, Charles Lyon of Ashland, and 25  grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Funeral services were held today (Thursday) at 11 a.m. in the United Baptist Church in Blaine, KY, with Rev. Thomas Bailey officiating. Burial was in the Lyon Cemetery, at Blaine. Big Sandy News, March 26, 1953

MOORE, Tom

Death came last week to tom Moore, 42, Fallsburg resident, while he was on a business trip to Ohio. He died in a Circleville Hospital shortly after being stricken. A farmer, he was the son of the late James F. and Victoria Tomlin Moore. Funeral services under the direction of Young Funeral Home, were conducted Sunday at the Newcome Methodist Church with Rev. D. W. Hewlett officiating. Burial was in the Harmon Cemetery. Surviving, in addition to the widow, Mrs. Helen Skeens Moore, are: six daughters, Mrs. Legran Ball and Miss Doris Moore, Dayton, OH, Mrs. John Tackett, San Antonio, TX, Peggy, Helen Louisa, and Linda Moore, all at home; three sons, Homer Ray, Tom Edd and Dannie Moore, all at home; two brothers, Isaac Moore and Lon Moore, both of Catlettsburg, KY. Big Sandy News, March 12, 1953

MORRIS, Walter

Walter Morris, prominent Gary, IN citizen, died suddenly of a heart attack at this home in Gary, Tuesday, March 10. He and Mrs. Morris had just returned from a month's vacation in Florida. Mr. Morris is well-known in Louisa where he had visited with Mrs. Morris, the former, Miss Willie Frazier, sister of Mrs. R. L. Vinson, Louisa. He is survived by Mrs. Morris and their two children, Mrs. Lee Giles and Mr. Robert Morris and one grandson, Bobby Morris, all of Gary. Details were not available. Big Sandy News, March 12, 1953

PARKS, Raymond R.

1913-1953

Raymond R. Parks, 40, of Cherryville, route 1, Louisa, died in a Louisa hospital Saturday morning after he sustained critical injuries while at work. About 8 a.m. Saturday he was attempting to start at stationary engine by cranking it by hand when the machine threw him against the radiator of the motor at the K. P. Wooten Lumber Company. His injuries were a broken neck and a fractured skull and he died at 8:30 a.m. Mr. Parks was born at Harold, KY, February 2, 1913, a son of George F. and Mary Elizabeth Price Parks. He was married 18 years ago to Miss Beatrice Mae Childers. He owned and operated his own lumber hauling business. Funeral services, under the direction of Curtright Funeral Home, were conducted Monday at 2 p.m. at the Mt. Zion United Baptist Church near Richardson, KY. The Rev. J. C. Hager officiated and burial was in the Rex Childers Cemetery near Richardson. In addition to the widow and the parents, he is survived by one daughter, Opal Marie, at home; five sons, Herbert Ray, Bobby Gene, William Edward, Raymond Russell and David Lynn, all at home; four sisters, Mrs. Hubert Pack, Louisa, Mrs. Earl Henry, Richardson, Mrs. Shaddie Dutton, Tamcliffe, WV, and Mrs. Delmer Hammonds, Portsmouth, OH; three brothers, Herman Parks and Elmo Parks, both of Ashland and Bill Parks, Fort Gay, WV. Big Sandy News, March 26, 1953

RAINES, Paul Anthony

Paul Anthony Raines, three year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Raines, Mansfield, OH, died in a hospital here Saturday morning. He became ill of pneumonia after coming here for a visit. Funeral services, under the direction of Curtright Funeral Home, were conducted Monday afternoon at the Freewill Baptist Church with the Rev. J. C. Hager officiating. Burial was in the Louisa Burial Park. Surviving, in addition to the parents are a twin sister, Paulette, two half brothers, Willie Earl Waddell, Detroit, MI and Jackie Waddell of Mansfield, OH. The maternal grandmother, Mrs. Tom Moore, Louisa and the paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Raines, Fort Gay, also great grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Raines, Fort Gay. Big Sandy News, March 19, 1953

VANDEVENDER, Horace

VANDEVENDER, Jack

A father and son who formerly lived in Lawrence County, KY were burned to death early Sunday morning when fire destroyed their home at Cabin Creek, WV. The were Horace Vandevender, 70 and his son, Jack Vandevender, 25, who could not be brought to safety from the burning house. Mrs. Horace Vandevender, who attended church services Saturday night, returned to the home to find that her husband had retired and that her son was watching television. She went to bed immediately, and was awakened about 12:30 a.m. when she heard her son coughing. Arriving in his room at the head of a second floor stairway, she found that her son had been overcome by smoke and flames. Her husband was also found to be partially overcome and could lend no assistance. Mrs. Vandevender said she made an effort to push both her husband and son out a window onto a porch roof but was unable to do so. Horace Vandevender was an employee of the Eureka Gas Company and his son, Jack, was employed by the Appalachian Electric Power Company. the widow is the former Inez Fitzpatrick of Clifford, KY. The family resided in Lawrence County before moving to Cabin Creek 15 years ago. Joint funeral services will be conducted at the Young Funeral Home in Louisa, Thursday, at 1:30 p.m. by the Rev. Crowder, a Methodist minister of Cabin creek. Burial will be in Fitzpatrick Cemetery at Clifford. In addition to Mrs. Vandevender, one daughter, Mrs. Sidney Adkins, Diamond, WV and one grandchild, also survive. Big Sandy News, March 26, 1953

WILSON, Nancy (See)

Mrs. Nancy See Wilson, 67, died Monday at 5 p.m. in a Houston, TX hospital after an illness of one week. Mrs. Wilson had gone to Houston for a visit with her son, Billy Wilson, of Houston. She suffered a stroke several days ago and was rushed to the hospital. Mrs. Wilson was born in Lawrence County, the daughter of the late Felix and Tennessee Shannon See. She was a member of the Unity Baptist Church of Ashland. Mrs. Wilson was a charter member of Gold Star Mothers. In addition to her husband, she is survived by six brothers, Andy see, Ira T. See, and Shannon See, all of Ashland, Mike See of Detroit, and Fred See of Chicago. By four sisters, Mrs. Jack Wilson, Mrs. C. B. Hayes and Mrs. Newton Conley, all of Ashland, and Miss Madge See, Houston, TX; and three sons, Billy of Houston, Fred Wilson with the U. S. Army, and Felix Jackson Wilson of Ashland, by five daughters, Mrs. Clifford Brickey, Mrs .Ralph Sturgill and Mrs. John Green, all of Ashland, Mrs. Leonard Adams, Lancaster, OH, and Mrs. Betty Baughman, Phoenix, AZ, and by 7 grandchildren. Big Sandy News, March 5, 1953

WOODS, John

1868-1953

John Woods, 85, died Sunday at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Kenneth Skeens of Zelda, KY after a long illness. Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Buchanan Chapel by the Rev. Ira Copley. Burial was in the Skeens Cemetery at Zelda. Mr. Woods was born January 16, 1868 at Fallsburg, KY, a son of the late Andy and Ann Skeens Woods. He was a retired employee of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Co. and a farmer, and a member of the Methodist Church for 5 years. His wife, Mrs. Rebecca Ramey Woods died in 1919. Survivors include five daughters, Mrs. Bee Curnette of Buena Vista, OH, Mrs. John Cornwell and Mrs. Clarence Skeens of Portsmouth, OH, Mrs. Chester Carter of Greenup, KY, and Mrs. Kenneth Skeens of Zelda; five sons, Charlie, Oliver, and George Woods of Zelda, Jack Woods of Catlettsburg, route 1, and Woodrow Woods of Portsmouth; three sisters, Mrs. Kirt Ramey of Fallsburg, Mrs. Ben Ramey of Portsmouth, and Mrs. Bill Blankenship of Sciotoville, OH and 45 grandchildren and 41 great grandchildren. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Curtright Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, March 19, 1953

YATES, William F.

1911-1953

William F. Yates, son of the late Frank N. and Bella Borders Yates, died last Tuesday at an Akron, OH hospital of complications following an illness of influenza. Yates was born in Louisa in 1911 and attended grade school here. When the family moved to Ashland he attended Ashland High School and was graduated in 1932. He attended Ohio Wesleyan University and later matriculated at Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, where he received his A. B. Degree. He also did post graduate work at Syracuse. Following his graduation at Syracuse, he became associated with the B. F. Goodrich Tire and Rubber Co. of Akron and at the time of his death he was connected with the personnel department of the company. He resided at 118 West Gay Street. Burial was in the Pinehill Cemetery at Louisa, with the Rev. Frank C. King, pastor of the First Methodist Church, Ashland, in charge of graveside services. Yates is survived by his widow, Mrs. Ruth Haggerty, one brother, Homer Yates of Norwalk,  CT and two sisters, Mrs. Richard T. Brown and Mrs. James Ross of Ashland. He was a nephew of Mrs. Billy Riffe of Louisa. Big Sandy News, March 5, 1953

YOUNG, Cathie (Roberts)

1875-1953

Mrs. Cathie Young, 77, route 1, Webbville, KY, died at her home Friday at 2:10 p.m. following a three months illness. Mrs. Young was born at Busseyville, KY, May 6, 1875, a daughter of the late Riceley and Mary Taylor Roberts. She had been a member of the Baptist Church since early childhood. Funeral services were conducted Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Young Funeral Home with the Rev. W. E. Boggs officiating. Burial was in Pine Hill Cemetery. Surviving are the husband, R. F. Young, route 1, Webbville; three daughters, Mrs. Floyd Nance and Mrs. Hubert Saunders, both of Columbus, OH, Miss Wanda Lee Young, at home; five sons, Bert Young, London, OH, Victor Young, Trenton, MI, Sanford Young, route 1, Webbville, Barnes Young, at home, and Ray Young, Columbus, OH, a half brother, Lon Young, Columbus; 21 grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Big  Sandy News, March 19, 1953

APRIL 1953

CHANDLER, George

1866-1953

George W. Chandler, 86, a retired farmer of route 1, Louisa, near Charley, KY, died Saturday at 4 p.m. at the home of a son, Bert Chandler, after suffering a heart attack. He had been in ill health for about one year. Chandler was born in Johnson County, KY, May 30, 1866, a son of the late William and Rachel O'Bryan Chandler. He resided at Sitka, KY, until he moved to route 1, Louisa, 45 years ago. He had been a member of the United Baptist Church for 50 years. The body was removed from the Curtright Funeral Home to the residence of his son, Bert Chandler, at route 1, Louisa, Sunday afternoon. Funeral services were conducted Monday at 2 p.m. at Bell's Chapel Freewill Baptist Church and burial was in the family cemetery. Surviving are one son, Bert Chandler, one sister, Mrs. John Adkins, Ulysses, KY and a nephew, Tobie Chandler of Louisa. His wife, Wilda Scarberry Chandler, preceded him in death 32 years ago. Big Sandy News, April 30, 1953

COX, Reece

Death came late Sunday evening to Robert Reece Cox, 63, a native of Hazel Green, Wolfe County and a resident of Blaine for the past 28 years. He was a retired Ashland Oil and Refining Company employee, having transferred to their firm after working for the old Cumberland Pipe Line Company. He came to Blaine from Campton. A son of the late Fielden and Martha Catron Cox, he was married to Miss Russia Tutt forty years ago. He was a member of the Cox Masonic Lodge No. 464, Campton. Funeral services were held Wednesday morning from the Campton Baptist Church in Wolfe County with the Rev. Davidson officiating. Burial was in the Evans cemetery at Campton. Young Funeral Home handled the arrangements. Survivors, other than the widow are two sons, Robert R. and Vernon Cox, both of Blaine and a daughter, Mrs. Hudson Arrington, Catlettsburg; three sisters, Mrs. Joe Ingram, Campton, Mrs. Claude Day, Dayton, OH, and Mrs. Prater Senter, Dayton; three brothers, James, C. c. and George, all of Campton and three grandchildren. Big Sandy News, April 30, 1953

DANIEL, James

1870-1953

James Harvey Daniel, 82, of Louisa, route 4, in the Glenwood section of Lawrence County, died Saturday at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Manuel Fugate of Louisa route 1, following an illness of six months. Graveside funeral rites were conducted at 2 p.m.  Tuesday at the Hammond Cemetery, Dennis, KY, by the Rev. Gallie Isaac. He was born at Dennis on May 10, 1870, a son of the late Thomas and Rachel Young Daniel. He and the former Miss Lottie Hicks were married 50 years ago. Surviving are the widow, the daughter; three sons, Joe Daniel of Louisa, route 4, John Daniel of Fort Gay, WV, and Edward Daniel of Louisa, route 1; a brother, Joe Daniel of Ironton, OH and five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, April 30, 1953

FANNIN, John B.

1884-1953

John B. Fannin, 69, father of Clifford Fannin, a pitcher for the St. Louis Browns, died suddenly of a heart attack at 6 a.m. today at his home.  Mr. Fannin had been employed as an engineer for United Fuel Gas Co., for 28 years until his retirement four years ago. He was born Jan 25, 1884 at Milo, KY, a son of the late Monroe and Marinda Williams Fannin, and had lived in or near Louisa for the past 33 years.  Surviving are the widow, Mrs. Minnie Fields Fannin; one daughter, Mrs. Everette Boothe of Louisa; six sons, James Fannin of Monroe, MI, Herman Fannin of Route 2, Louisa, Clifford Fannin of St. Louis, MO, Wray Fannin of Dunbar, WV, Bobby Fannin of Springfield, OH, and William Paul Fannin at home; one sister, Mrs. Samuel Webb of Milo, KY; one brother, J. C. Fannin of Milo; and six grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday at the Louisa Free Will Baptist Church with the Rev. J. C. Hager and the Rev. S. B. Boggs officiating. Burial will be in the Henry Boothe Cemetery, Holt's Station, Route 2 Louisa. Curtright Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Big Sandy News, April 23, 1953

FITZGERALD, Harrison

1901-1953

Harrison Fitzgerald, 53, a plumber of route 1, Catlettsburg, died at the wheel of his automobile Sunday at 2 a.m. following a traffic accident on the Catlettsburg-Kenova Bridge. Boyd County Coroner J. Fred Miller said that Mr. Fitzgerald and two sons, Harrison, Jr. and John Paul, and a daughter Shirley Louise, had been in Kenova Saturday night visiting another daughter, Mrs. James Peterman. It was while they were en route to their home that their automobile was struck from behind by a car driven by John Alley, also of route 1, Catlettsburg, a the autos were crossing the bridge toward Catlettsburg. Mr. Fitzgerald was born March 5, 1901 in Lawrence County, KY, a son of George and Pricie Fitzgerald. He spent most of his life in Lawrence County before moving to Boyd County 10 years ago. He was a member of the Leach Missionary Baptist Church. He is survived by the widow, Mrs. Bracie Castle Fitzgerald; five sons, Charles W. Fitzgerald, Louisa, George E. Fitzgerald, Columbus, OH, and Harrison, Jr., John Paul and James E. Fitzgerald, all at home; three daughters, Mrs. James Peterman and Mrs. John F. Peterman, both of Kenova and Miss Shirley Louise Fitzgerald at home; and one sister, Miss Josie Fitzgerald, Louisa. Big Sandy News, April 9, 1953

GAMBILL, Claude Cecil

1897-1953

Claude Cecil Gambill, age 55 years, of West Portsmouth, OH, died Friday, April 24 at 3 p.m. in the Deaconess Hospital, Cincinnati, OH, after a brief illness. He was a former employee of the N & W Railroad and the Williams Manufacturing Company. He was born October 9, 1897, at Martha, KY, the son of the lat William Owen and Mallie Jane Hunter Gambill. He had lived in Portsmouth for the past 39 years, going there with his parents when he was 14 years of age. Survivors include his wife, Hester Dalton Gambill; one brother, William Martin Gambill, Portsmouth and five sisters, Mrs. Jessie L. Hall, Mrs. Richard Norton, Cincinnati, OH, Mrs. R. C. Wellman, Atlanta, GA, Mrs. Claud Justice, Portsmouth, OH and Mrs. H. H. Sparks, Louisa, KY. Funeral services were conducted Monday, April 27, 2 p.m. at the Mart Glynn Funeral Home with the Rev. Glendon Herbert officiating. Interment was made in Memorial Park Cemetery at Wheelersburg, OH. Big Sandy News, April 30, 1953

HICKMAN, Gordon B.

1892-1953

Gordon B. Hickman, 60, of the Meades Branch section of route 1, Louisa, died Monday at 4:45 p.m. at his home. He had been in ill health for three years. Hickman was born June 9, 1892, a son of the late John W. and Julia Butler Hickman. He was a veteran of World War I and a member of the W. O. Johnson Post 89 of the American Legion. He was never married. Funeral services will be conducted Thursday at 2:30 p.m. at the home with Rev. Arlie Blackburn officiating. Burial will be in the family cemetery at Route 1, Louisa. Surviving are two sisters, Miss Tossie Hickman and Miss Laura Hickman, both of route 1, Louisa and four brothers, W. D. Hickman and George Hickman, both of Ashland, Charlie Hickman, McCarr, KY and Gus Hickman, Columbus, OH. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, April 30, 1953

HODGE, T. W. (Tom)

1892-1953

One of Eastern Kentucky's leaders in business and fraternal circles, Thomas William Hodge, 62, died last week at his home in Ashland following an illness of seven months. since going to Ashland from Louisa in 1930, Mr. Hodge had been president and general manager of the Federal Ice Company and the Ashland Home Ice Company, and the Federal Ice Company in Kenova, WV. He had been manager of the Louisa Light and Power Company during his residence in Louisa. Mr. Hodge was a veteran of World War I and was active in the Clarence Fields Post, American Legion, of which he was a past commander. His other organizational activities included the Ashland Lodge No. 350, BPOE and the Fraternal Order of Police Associates. He was also active in the Boyd County Saddle Horse Association. His church membership was in the local Calvary Episcopal Church. A son of Mrs. Bertha Jackson Hodge, now of Springfield, OH and the late John J. Hodge, he was born December 19, 1892 at Goes Station, OH. Funeral services were conducted at the residence in Ashland, Friday at 2:30 p.m. with the Very Rev. Francis M. Cooper officiating. Burial was in Pine Hill Cemetery at Louisa. In addition to his mother, he is survived by the widow, Mrs. Helen V. Hodge, and a sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Carter of Springfield, OH. Big Sandy News, April 16, 1953

HOLBROOK, Caleb

1870-1953

Caleb "Cap" Holbrook, 83, was claimed by death Sunday afternoon after an illness of four years. A son of the late Caleb and Louise Jordan Holbrook, he was born January 12, 1870. He married Josephine Thompson 64 years ago. She survives. He was a member of the Methodist Church for 5 years. Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon from the home with the Rev. Jack Perry officiating. Burial was in the Holbrook Cemetery. Survivors, other than the widow, are two sisters, Mrs. Dave Lyon, of Dennis and Mrs. Mart Young, Webbville, route 1. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, April 30, 1953

HOLBROOK, Ralph

1874-1953

Ralph Holbrook, 78, of Burnaugh, KY, died at his home at 6 p.m. Sunday following an illness of 11 months. He had lived at Burnaugh for four years and previously had lived at Irad. He was born at Webbville, route 1, December 5, 1874, a son of the late Caleb and Louisa Jordan Holbrook. Surviving are the wife, Mrs. Viola Adams Holbrook; seven daughters, Mrs. Austin Webb of Richwood, OH, Mrs. Arthur Webb of Marion, OH, Mrs. Grant Roberts of Louisa, route 3, Mrs. David McConnell of Alabama, Mrs. Raymond and Miss Ruby Holbrook, of New York City and Mrs. Ted Careich of Pendleton, Or; six sons, Charley Holbrook of Circleville, OH, Jimmy Holbrook of Kingston, OH, Lewis Holbrook of West Jefferson, OH, Arville Holbrook of Louisa, route 3, Wesley Holbrook of Marion, OH and Forrest Holbrook of Martel, OH; two sisters, Mrs. Mart Young, Webbville, route 1, an Lila Lyon, Dennis, KY; a brother, Caleb Holbrook of Webb, WV; route 1, and 38 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Funeral services were conducted at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Polly's Chapel with the Rev. Leonard Adams and Rev. Jack Perry officiating. Burial was in the Clevenger Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, April 9, 1953

PROSE, Bertha

1878-1953

Miss Bertha Prose, 74, a retired schoolteacher of Ashland, died Saturday at her home following an illness of two months. Miss Prose had a long career as  teacher having taught in the public school systems of Ashland and other Kentucky cities for about 50 years. She entered retirement about 8 years ago. She was born in Lawrence County, KY, October 5, 1878, a daughter of William B. and Syndey Banfield Prose. The greater part of her life was spent in Ashland. Surviving are three sisters, Mrs. A. N. Davis and Mrs. Daisy Bishop, both of Ashland, and Mrs. Sadie Dials of Sciotoville, OH. Big Sandy News, April 16, 1953

ROBERTS, Strother

1866-1953

Strother F. Roberts, 87, a retired farmer of the Busseyville section of route 1, Louisa, died Thursday evening, April 16 at his home. Mr. Roberts was born at Busseyville on January 29, 1866, a son of the lat George and Amanda Carter Roberts. His entire life was spent in the vicinity of Busseyville. The body remained at the Curtright Funeral Home until one hour before the services. The last rites were conducted Saturday at 2 p.m. at Carter Chapel, route 3, Louisa, with the Rev. S. B. Ball and the Rev. Sebert Carter officiating. Burial was in the Robert Cemetery. Surviving are the widow, 15 nieces and 11 nephews. Big Sandy News, April 23, 1953

SPARKS, Henry Lloyd

Henry Lloyd Sparks, 23, of Mansfield, OH, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Sparks of Fort Gay route 2, died Sunday night in a Huntington hospital of injuries, he suffered in a traffic accident Saturday. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Saltpeter Church by the Rev. Gallie Isaac, the Rev. Grant Raines and the Rev. Jay Rice. Burial will be in the Porter Cemetery at Radnor. The Young Funeral Home said a car in which Mr. Sparks was a passenger went over an embankment near Fort Gay. The driver was identified as French Wellman of Kenova, a brother in law. Neither Wellman nor his wife, also a passenger was injured. Survivors include the parents; four sisters, Mrs. French Wellman of Kenova, Mrs. Blanch Perry of Fort Gay, route 2, Mrs. Carl Sherman of Goody, KY, and Mrs. Deward Frazier of Gallipolis, OH and five brothers, William and Mitchell Sparks of Fort Gay route 2, John W. and Lee B. Sparks of Huntington and Charles Sparks serving at the Naval Air Base, Sanford, FL. Big Sandy News, April 16, 1953

THOMPSON, Ernest T.

 Death came April 3 to Ernest T. Thompson, 56, at his home in Columbus, OH, after an illness of about five weeks. He was a native of Webbville, Lawrence County, but had lived at Columbus for about 9 years. A member of the United Baptist Church for more than 25 years, he was the son of the late Fleming and Josephine Hensley Thompson, who survive. Funeral services were conducted Monday at the Freewill Baptist Church at Needmore, with the Rev. Jack Perry officiating. Burial was in the Hensley Cemetery at Orr. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Curtright Funeral Home. Survivors include the wife, Mrs. Anna Boggs Thompson; four daughters, Mrs. Owen Moore, Ashland, KY, Mrs. Dave Hoover, Columbus, OH, Miss Sue Helen Thompson and Miss Pamela Ann Thompson, at home; two sons, Russell L. Thompson and Strother Thompson of Columbus, OH; three sisters, Mrs. Tom Howard, Webbville, KY, Mrs. Hester Boggs, Ashland, KY, and Mrs. Winford Kitchen, Huntington, WV; two brothers, Horace Thompson, Ashland and Lee Thompson, Webbville and 6 grandchildren. Big Sandy News, April 9, 1953

VINSON, Herbert

Herbert Vinson, 42, of Urbana, OH was found dead in bed Monday morning of last week at the home of his cousins, Lawrence and Charles Vinson of the Point section of Louisa, route 2. L. Byron Young, Lawrence County Coroner, said death was due to a heart attack. Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Young Funeral Home by the Rev. J. C. Hager. Burial was in the See Cemetery at Louisa route 2. Vinson was born July 15, 1911, a son of Mrs. Laura Carr Lynch, of Whalen, KY and the late Lace Vinson, former chief of police here. He was visiting the Vinsons. He is survived by the mother, three sisters, and one brother and an aunt, Mrs. Carrie Vinson of Glenhayes, WV. Big Sandy News, April 23, 1953

WILBUR, Henry Edgar

1890-1953

Henry Edgar Wilbur, 63, died at his home at Richardson, KY April 18 after an illness of 18 days. He had been dismissed from the hospital last Wednesday after his condition had shown improvement. A retired coal miner and farmer, he was born at Richardson, April 2, 1890, son of the late Ambrose and Magdeline Wilbur. He was a veteran of World War I. Funeral services were conduced at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in the United Baptist Church at Richardson, with the Rev. German Walters officiating. Burial was in the Wilbur Cemetery. Surviving him are the widow, Mrs. Effie Wooten Wilbur; one daughter, Mrs. Lawrence Winkle, Monoca, PA; two sons, Clarence Edgar Wilbur and Larry Wilbur, at home; two stepsons, Hubera Stepp, Coaldale, WV and Raymond Stepp, Richardson; three stepdaughters, Mrs. Leo Preston, Fort Knox, Mrs. Clayton Massey and Mrs. Newman Blakely, Willow Run, MI; two sisters, Mrs. Lillian Preston, Paintsville and Mrs. Florence Wilson, Columbus, OH; and four grandchildren. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Curtright Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, April 30, 1953

WILLIAMS, Nora (Boggs)

1881-1953

Mrs. Nora Boggs Williams, 71, a former resident of Ashland, and Blaine, KY, died Saturday at her home in Marion, OH, after suffering a stroke. A resident of Marion for 25 years, Mrs. Williams had been in poor health for the past three years. She was born July 17, 1881, at Blaine, a daughter of the late David and Emma Osborne  Boggs. She was married to N. C. Williams 51 years ago. Mrs. Williams resided at Blaine for 44 years and at Ashland for two years. She was a member of the First Christian Church, Ashland. Surviving are the husband, two daughters, Mrs. Ernest F. Wellman of Louisa, and Mrs. Dova Prince of Phoenix, AZ; one son, H. Mayo Williams, San Francisco, C; three sisters, Mrs. Jay Lyons ad Mrs. Cynthia Arms, Wheelersburg, OH and Mrs. Viola Davis of Fullerton, KY; two brothers, Estill and Lon Boggs, both of Fullerton, KY; two grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Funeral services were conducted at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday from the First Christian Church, Louisa, with the Rev. Carl Hall officiating. Burial was in Pine Hill Cemetery under the direction of Curtright Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, April 22, 1953

WILLIAMSON, Allen T.

Allen Taylor Williamson, 60, of Radnor, Wayne County, WV a retired coal miner, died Saturday in a Louisa hospital following an illness of six months. Funeral services were conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the home of a son, Solomon Williamson by the Rev. Jay Rice and the Rev. Stewart Porter. Burial was in Kirk Cemetery. Surviving are the widow, Mrs. California Ramey Williamson, to whom he had been married for 41 years; three daughters, Mrs. Henry Thompson of Radnor; Mrs. James Kirk of Dunlow and Miss Gay Williamson, at home; seven sons, Solomon and William Williamson of Radnor, Paul and Virgil Williamson at home, Thomas Williamson, patient in a Dayton, OH hospital, Private First Class Lawrence Williamson, with the Army in Germany and Private First Class Allen T. Williamson, with the Army at Camp Breckinridge, KY; a sister, Mrs. Nathan Meeks of Logan, WV and a brother, Edward Williamson of Utah. The body was taken to the Solomon Williamson home from Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, April 2, 1953

WILLIAMSON, Tommy W.

Tommy W. Williamson, 31, of Dayton, formerly of Radnor, died Monday of last week in a Dayton hospital after an illness of five months. Graveside funeral services were conducted at 3:30 p.m. Thursday at the Kirk Cemetery at Dunlow by the Rev. Stewart Porter and the Rev. Jay Rice. Williamson served in the Army in Europe during World War II. He is survived by the widow, Mrs. Irene Williamson; one daughter, Rosemary Williamson, at home; the mother, Mrs. California Ramey Williamson of Radnor; five brothers, Solomon, Bill and Virgil Williamson of Radnor, Private First Class Lawrence Williamson serving in the Army in Germany, and Allen T. Williamson, Jr. serving in the Army at amp Breckinridge, KY, and three sisters, Mrs. James Kirk of Dunlow and Mrs. Henry Thompson and Miss Gay Williamson, of Radnor. Funeral services are under the direction of Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, April 23, 1953

MAY 1953

ADKINS, Mary Liddie (Hughes)

1893-1953

Mrs. Mary Liddie Adkins, 60, of Yatesville, this county, died Monday at her home after an illness of five years. Funeral services will be conducted today (Thursday) at 2 p.m. at the Bradley Gap Church at Yatesville by the Rev. W. S. Boggs and the Rev. Kelly Patton. Burial will be in the Hughes Cemetery at Yatesville. Mrs. Adkins was born March 4, 1893, at Yatesville, a daughter of the late James and Millie Marcum Hughes. Her husband, Charles Adkins, died in 1927. Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Phillip Preece, Jr., and Mrs. James Hughes of Louisa; seven sons, Dock and Elmer Adkins of Louisa, Grover Adkins of Fort Gay, Ralph Adkins of Dallas, TX, Owen Adkins of Dardanelle, AR and Charles and Raymond Adkins of Columbus; the step mother, Mrs. Belle Hughes of Yatesville; eight brothers, Walter Hughes of Delbarton, WV, Robert and Gabe Hughes of Ashland, John, Jim, Woodrow, and Homer Hughes of Yatesville and Ora Hughes of Burnwell, WV; four sisters, Mrs. Jay Salters, Mrs. George Workman, Mrs. John Kitchen and Mrs. John Chaney, of Yatesville and 20 grandchildren. The body was taken to the residence at 10 a.m. Wednesday from the Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, May 14, 1953

EKERS, Virginia (Collinsworth)

1882-1953

Mrs. Virginia (Virgie) Ekers, 71, former Lawrence County, KY, school teacher, and post mistress of Fallsburg, died in Columbus, OH, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Blaine Compton, Wednesday of last week at 11:35 a.m. after an illness of three months. She was the widow of the late John Ekers. Mrs. Ekers was born February 10, 1882, in Lawrence County, a daughter of the late Sine and Louella Campbell Collinsworth. She had been a resident of Columbus for 12 years, moving there from Fallsburg. Funeral services were conducted at the Miller Funeral home in Ashland, KY at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, with burial in the Fannin Cemetery, Boyd County. Surviving her are the daughter, three sons, Drew, Homer and Anderson Ekers, all of Columbus; one brother, Lindsey Collinsworth, Huntington; and three sisters, Mrs. Sherman Deavugh, Cleveland, OH, Mrs. Fred Herman, Lakeland, FL and Mrs. F. D. Damron, Louisa. Big Sandy News, May 7, 1953

GILLEM, George W.

1889-1953

George W. Gillem, age 64 years, of Keaton, died May 6 at 5:45 p.m., in a Louisa Hospital following an illness of six months. He was born September 21, 1889, in Johnson County, a son of the Mary Holbrook and Isaac Gillem at Keaton, KY, where he had lived all his life.  He was a member of the Christian Union Church at Keaton and has been an employee of the Ashland Oil and Refining Company for the past 28 years. His first marriage was to Ollie Ferguson Gillem, who died in April 1931.  He is survived by the widow, Elva Skaggs Gillem  to whom he had been married 21 years, and the following hildren Gale, and Herman Gillem, Keaton, and Hurston Gillem, Marion, OH; three sisters, Mrs. Martha Kelly, Martha, KY, Mrs. Annie White, Columbus, OH, and Mrs. Proctor Lyon, Louisa; one brother, J. C. Gillem of Lexington, KY. The body will be removed from the Young Funeral Home Friday at 10 a.m. to his home at Keaton, KY.

Funeral services will be conducted Saturday  at 11 a.m. from the Christian Union Church at Keaton, with the Rev. Hood Wallen and Rev. W.J. Bechulhimer officiating.  Burial will be in the Gillem family cemetery at Keaton.  Big Sandy News, May 7, 1953

HARDIN, Bessie (Moore)

1889-1953

Bessie Moore Hardin, 64, passed away at a local hospital in Louisa at 2 p.m. Monday, May 18. Her husband, Harvey Hardin passed away in 1938. She was born at McClure, KY April 19, 1889, a daughter of the late Samuel and Elizabeth Maynard Moore. She had been a member of the Methodist Church for the past 27 years. Funeral services were conducted Thursday, May 21 at 2 p.m. from the Moore Chapel, route 23 South, with the Rev. Gallie Isaac officiating. Interment was made in the Hardin Cemetery near Patrick Gap. Survivors include three daughters, Miss Virginia Hardin of Auburn, IN, Mrs. Fred Bearrs of Louisa, and Mrs. W. C. Salyers of Columbus; three sons, Floyd and J. D. Hardin of Gallup and T. J. Hardin of Frankfort, KY; one sister, Mrs. Elsie McClure of Ashland, three brothers, Jordan Moore, Portsmouth, OH, Wallace Moore, Inez, KY, and Hobert Moore of McClure, KY and six grandchildren. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Curtright Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, May 28,1 953

LUTHER, Thomas

1868-1953

Thomas Luther, 85 years old, died at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John H. Miller, with home he made his home, in Huntington, WV, April 27. Mr. Luther was a retired professional photographer and was a native of Wayne County. Survivors include the widow, Mrs. Susan Copley Luther; two sisters, Miss Lizzie Luther of Huntington and Mrs. George W. Copley of Shoals, WV; several nieces and nephews, including Mrs. Miller with whom he made his home. Big Sandy News, May 7,1 953

MCKENZIE, Eula (Osborn)

1909-1953

Mrs. Eula McKenzie, 44, of Torchlight, KY, this county, died Saturday in a Huntington hospital following a long illness. Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Freewill Baptist Church, Louisa, with the Rev. Gallie Isaac officiating. Burial followed in the McKenzie Cemetery near Walbridge. Mrs. McKenzie was born January 12, 1909, at East Lynn, WV, daughter of Sidney and the late Emma Ross Osborn. Surviving are the husband, Huley McKenzie; four daughters, Mrs. Kermit Robinette of Dayton, OH and Moreeta, Carol and Joan McKenzie at home; four sons, Harold McKenzie, Louisa, Merman McKenzie, Louisa, route 1, Emmett McKenzie of Ceredo, WV and Douglas McKenzie at home; three sisters, Minnie, Emma and Norma Osborn, all of Gilbert, WV, the father, Sidney Osborn of Gilbert, three brothers, Jay and Oscar Osborn of Gilbert and Clyde Osborn of Logan, WV and five grandchildren. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, May 21, 1953

MCKENZIE, James

1858-1953

James McKenzie, 94, died at 4:40 p.m. Saturday at his home, route 3 following an illness of 8 months. Mr. McKenzie was born June 8, 1858, at Branerd, Floyd County, KY, and was a retired farmer. He was a son of James and Pearl McKenzie. Funeral services were conducted Monday at 2 p.m. in the Freewill Baptist Church, Louisa, with the Rev. Gallie Isaac officiating. Burial was in Pine Hill Cemetery. Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Tom Henson of Louisa, and Mrs. Sarah Stone, Salyersville, KY; seven sons, Virgil of Sunbury, OH, John of Springfield, OH, Joe of Louisa, Henry and James of Piqua OH, and Ernest of Farland, IN; two brothers, Hood McKenzie of Fallsburg, KY and Eli McKenzie of Prestonsburg, also survive. Funeral services were under the direction of Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, May 14, 1953

MOORE, J. L.

1875-1953

1875. L. Moore, 77, former legislator, school teacher, businessman and educator, died suddenly Tuesday morning while he was working at an apartment in the Burgess building which he owned. He had left home to do some work at the recently vacated apartment, and had planned to return by way of his garden in time for lunch. When he failed to appear for lunch his family became anxious and investigated. He was found in the apartment where a physician's examination revealed he had been dead about two hours. Death was attributed to a heart attack. He was discovered about 1:30  by a grandson, William J. Moore. The son of the late David and Millie S. Layne Moore, he was born August 26, 1875. Well known in Lawrence and Boyd counties, he had operated a store in Boyd County several years ago. He also taught school in Lawrence County for 18 years, operated a store at Fuller for two years. He had been in Louisa for 31 years. He and the late R. C. Burton established Moore and Burton Hardware Store here several years ago, and later he and his son, Jay B. Moore, organized Moore Hardware Store with which he was affiliated until his retirement in 1940.  He had taken an active part in the political life of the county and had served as Louisa Mayor, member of the Board of Education and also as State representative from Lawrence and Elliott counties. The body had been removed to the residence  on Franklin Street from Curtright Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted Friday at 2:30 p.m. from the Louisa Methodist Church with the Rev. Charles Perry, Rev. Dave Hewlett and Rev. Carl Hall officiating. Burial will be in the Rose Hill Burial Park at Ashland. He had been a member of the Louisa Methodist Church for 25 years, and had been a member of the Apperson Lodge 195, Mason, for 38 years. The Apperson Lodge will perform graveside rites. Surviving besides the widow, Mrs. Fannie E. Bluebaum Moore are one son, Jay B. Moore; two daughters, Mrs. B. W. Whitt, Louisa and Mrs. S. D. Woods, Grundy, VA. Also surviving are two sisters, Mrs. J. A. Collinsworth an Mrs. T. R. Covington, Fallsburg and three grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Big Sandy News, May 21, 1953

PAULEY, Octavia (Miller)

1913-1953

Mrs. Octavia Pauley, 40, died at 9 p.m. Friday at the home of her father, Robert Miller, Ulysses, KY following an illness of 8 years. Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Walnut Grove Church with the Rev. Byrd Webb officiating. Burial was in the Borders Cemetery at Ulysses. Mrs. Pauley was born February 12, 1913, a daughter of Robert Miller and the late Mrs. Elizabeth Hatfield Miller. She was a former resident of Webb, WV. Surviving in addition to the father are the husband, Lace Pauley, of Crum, WV, three daughters, Mrs. Jim Brown and Mrs. Ed Rinehart, both of Columbus, OH, and Miss Estelle Pauley of Ulysses; two sons, David Pauley with the U. S. Navy at Boston, Mass. and Wayne Pauley, Columbus, OH, six sisters, Mrs. John Brown of Ashland, Mrs. W. d. Moore and Mrs. Richard Beecher, both of Columbus, OH, Mrs. Georgia Murray and Miss Carolyn Miller, both of Ashland, four brothers, W. H. Miller of Huntington, Charles and Ray Miller, both of Ashland, and Everett Miller of Ulysses and four grandchildren. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, May 28, 1953

RICE, Ella (Norton)

1901-1953

Mrs. Ella Norton Rice, 51, a prominent business woman and former Louisa resident, died at 9 p.m. Wednesday of last week at her home in  Ashland, KY, following an illness of four months. Mrs. Rice was born June 20, 1901, in Louisa, a daughter of the late James and Alice Wilson Norton. She was employed by the First National Bank of Louisa, while a resident here. Since 1944 when she was transferred to Ashland, Mrs. Rice had been secretary for the Federal Ice Company, going there from Kenova, WV. She was also an agent for the Dixon Oil & Gas Company and served as secretary of the Ashland Business and Professional Women's Club. Funeral services were conduced at the Central Baptist Church Saturday at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Clay Caudill officiating. He was assisted by the Rev. Jay Duvall and interment was in Pinehill Cemetery, Louisa. Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Brooks of Ashland; two brothers, W. A. Norton of Flint, MI and James W. Norton of the U. S. Navy in Japan and three sisters, Mrs. Wilbur Endicott of Coldwater, MI, Mrs. C. H. withers of Point Pleasant, WV and Mrs. W. S. Prince, Roanoke, Va. Big Sandy News, May 7, 1953

ROBERTS, Addie (Rice)

Mrs. Addie  Rice Roberts, a former resident of the Fallsburg Section died Thursday morning of last week in a Huntington hospital at the age of 72 years. She was the daughter of James and Adeline Evans Rice and was married to John F. Roberts of Cadmus, this county, and moved to West Virginia several years ago. They lived at Shoals at the time of her death. Funeral services were conducted at the Reger Funeral Chapel Friday at 2 p.m. and interment was made in the Plymale Cemetery on Wolf Creek. Survivors include the husband, John Roberts, three sons, Willis Roberts of East Lynn, WV, Wayne Roberts of Louisville, KY, and John Roberts, Jr. of Findlay, OH; three daughters, Mrs. Wayne Curry, Shoals, Mrs. Allen Wright, Findlay and Mrs. Berle McCloud of Huntington and one sister, Mrs. Lena Clark of Iowa and 26 grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Big Sandy News, May 21, 1953

ROBERTS, Georgia (Nelson)

1878-1953

Mrs. Georgia Nelson Roberts, 74, died at 8 a.m. Saturday at the home of her brother, John Nelson, route 3, Louisa, Busseyville, following a stroke. Mrs. Roberts was born July 1, 1878, near Busseyville, a daughter of the late Monte and Eunice Wellman Nelson and her husband, Strother F. Roberts, died last April 15. The body was taken from the Curtright Funeral Home to the Carter Chapel route 3, where funeral services were held Monday at 2 p.m.  with the Rev. S. B. Ball and Rev. Seebert Carter, officiating. Burial was in the Roberts Cemetery. Surviving are two sisters, Miss Samantha Nelson route 3, and Mrs. Wilbur Chapman, Columbus, OH, and one brother, John, with whom she made her home. Big Sandy News, May 14, 1953

SHANNON, James P.

1872-1953

James P. Shannon, 80, of Louisa, route 1, died at 1:30 p.m. Monday at his home after a long illness. Mr. Shannon, a retired farmer, was born August 15, 1872, in Lawrence County, a son of the late Harry and Louisa Ballard Shannon, and was a member of the Methodist Church. He was married 58 years ago to Miss Laura Brooks, who survives. Additional survivors include four daughters, Mrs. Noah Miller, Mrs. Cecil Wilson and Mrs. Bernard Schettles of Columbus, OH, and Mrs. Freeland Blackburn of Louisa, route 1, two sons, Riley J. Shannon of Gallup, KY and Ollie Shannon of Columbus; five sisters, Mrs. Arthur Foster, Drift, KY, Mrs. Dave Adams, Louisa route 1, Mrs. Gallie Peters, and Mrs. Sissie Peters, both of Fort Gay, WV and Mrs. Nannie Isaacs of Louisa route 1, five brothers, Harve and Jeff Shannon of Drift, John Shannon of Ironton, Sheridan Shannon, Louisa, route 1, and Alex Shannon of Detroit; and 19 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held today (Thursday) at 1:30 p.m. in Moore's Chapel, Louisa, route 1, with the Rev. S. B. Ball and Rev. Dave Hewlette officiating. Burial will be in the Shannon Cemetery on Trace Branch. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, May 7, 1953

SPEARS, Jesse

Crew members of an Ashland Oil & Refining Company towboat, "The Harbor Point", recovered the body of an Inez, KY man from the Ohio River at Catlettsburg Friday afternoon. Jesse Spears, 25, who drowned two months ago in the Tug River near Louisa, was identified from papers found on the body. Spears drowned when a boat in which he and several other men were crossing the Tug Fork of the Big Sandy on February 22nd overturned. The body had been carried down the Big Sandy to the Ohio River. The body was sighted floating in the river, near Ashland Oil's Cumberland terminal, by the tow boat's crew. The Kilgore-Collier Funeral Home at Catlettsburg, sent the body to the....

Big Sandy News, May 14, 1953

STUART, George Washington

1853-1953

George Washington Stuart, who reached his 100th birthday last January 24, died Sunday, April 26 at the home of a niece, Mrs. Alice Stuart Holmes in Ashland, where he resided for the past three years. His death removed a link between the Civil War ear and the present. He was named for the nation's first president, whom Mr. Stuart's grandfather knew personally. A native of Scott County, VA, he was a son of the late Dale C. and Barbara Booth Stuart. Recollections of his early life included incidents during the war between the states and the election to the presidency of Abraham Lincoln. Mr. Stuart, at the age of 12, moved with his family to Kentucky and first lived at Bells Trace in Carter County. Later he lived in Lawrence County before moving to Ashland. During most of his life he was a carpenter and a farmer and retired about 40 years ago. Mr. Stuart was never married. Mr. Stuart remained active until becoming ill about three weeks ago. Although his sight had failed somewhat and he was quite deaf, he was able to go about much as he pleased. His mind was keen throughout his later years. The only survivors of the immediate family is a brother, C. B. Stuart, 93, of Oldtown, Greenup County, Y. A number of nephews and nieces in addition to Mrs. Holmes, also survive. His twin brother preceded him in death in 1950 at the age of 97. Big Sandy News, May 14, 1953

WELLMAN, Ella (Robinson)

1874-1953

Mrs. Ella Robinson Wellman, 79, passed away suddenly of a heart attack at her home, 314 Main Cross Street, Louisa, Tuesday night at 10 p.m. She was born February 6, 1874, on route 1 Fort Gay, WV and resided there for 29 years, moving to Louisa 50 years ago. A daughter of the late Warren and Sarah Frazier Robinson, she was married to Charter B. Wellman, 65 years ago. Mrs. Wellman had been in ill health for the past ten years and for the past two years she had been confined to her home. She was a member of the Christian Church at Saltpeter, when she came to Louisa. She and others organized The First Christian Church here, and she was a faithful member as long as her health permitted. She was also a member of the W. C. T. U. of Louisa. Mrs. Wellman, will be removed from the Curtright Funeral Home to the residence, Thursday morning at 10 a.m. Funeral services will be held Friday at 2 p.m. from the First Christian Church with the pastor, Rev. Carl Hall, officiating. Interment will be made in Pinehill Cemetery. She will lie in state one hour preceding the funeral . Survivors include the husband, two daughters, Mrs. Wade D. Riffe and Miss Pauline Wellman, one son, Ernest F. Wellman , all of Louisa; one sister, Mrs. William Spears, route 1, Fort Gay, WV, three granddaughters and three great grandsons. Big Sandy News, May 14, 1953

WHEELER, Andy J.

1872-1953

Rev. Andy J. Wheeler, 81, son of the late William and Rachel Pennington Wheeler, died recently in the Wesley Hospital, Oklahoma City, OK. His wife, Jane Cordle Wheeler survives. Born at Blaine, Rev. Wheeler went to Oklahoma City 16 years ago from Ashland, KY. Other survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Sarah McGlothlin; six sons, William J. Wheeler, Harman Wheeler, both of Oklahoma City, Walter Wheeler, Ashland, KY, and Enoch Wheeler, Blaine, 29 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren. Big Sandy News, May 28, 1953

WILLIAMS, Rena (Boggs)

1884-1953

Mrs. Rena Williams, 69, of Blevins, KY, died at her home on Friday following an extended illness. She was born April 6, 1884, a daughter of the late John W. and Sarah Boggs, and was married 51 years ago to William Sherman Williams, who survives. She had been a member of the United Baptist Church for 30 years. Surviving in addition to the husband are one daughter, Mrs. Harry Caldwell of Columbus, OH, five sons, Virgil Williams of Ashland, Delbert Williams of Logan, WV, Arnold and Lonnie Williams of Sunbury, OH and Ray Williams of Blevins; one sister, Mrs. John Slone of Ashland; one brother, Jay Boggs of Blevins, 23 grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. Funeral services were conducted at 11 a.m. Sunday at the Lower Caines Creek Baptist church with the Rev. Emory Ferguson officiating. Burial was in Boggs Cemetery at Blevins. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, May 7, 1953

YORK, Linda Pauline

1952-1953

Linda Pauline York, one year old daughter of Mrs. Myrtle Hubbard York, route 1, Louisa, and the late Tom York, died at 4 p.m. Friday at the home after an extended illness. Funeral services were conducted at 3 p.m. Sunday at the residence with the Rev. S. B. Ball officiating. Burial was in the Miller Cemetery, route 1, under the direction of the Young Funeral Home. Surviving in addition to the mother, are one sister, Rebecca Ann York, one brother, David York and one half brother, Ray Chaffin, all at home. Big Sandy News, May 14, 1953

JUNE 1953

ADAMS, Asbury

1868-1953

Death came May 31 to Asbury H. Adams, 85, a retired Irad, KY farmer, who had been ill for several years. He died in a Lexington hospital. Born January 13, 1868, he was the son of the late John and Winnie Wellman Adams of Webbville, route 1, KY. Funeral services were scheduled for today (Thursday) at Oak Hill with the Rev. Leonard Adams officiating. He had been a member of the Methodist Church for many years. Survivors include a sister, Mrs. Julia Prince, Louisa, route 4, and two brothers, Stuart of Irad and Sherman of route 1, Webbville. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, June 4, 1953

BRANHAM, Dave

Dave Branham, 72, was claimed by death June 22 in a Louisa hospital after a brief illness. He was a resident of Georges Creek. Born in Floyd County, he was the son of the late Sol and Sallie Branham. He was a brother in law of Mrs. J. C. Hager, Louisa.  Survivors include these children: Mrs. Tom Patrick, Louisa, Jack, Bob and Ernie, Harold and Buster, Georges Creek, Mrs. Bill Wilkerson, Pikeville, Earl, Indianapolis, Mrs. John Malenick, Arizona and Mrs. Oscar Pierce, Detroit. Funeral services were scheduled for Thursday at Prestonsburg at 2 p.m. Other survivors include three brothers, a sister and ten grandchildren. Big Sandy News, June 25, 1953

CARTER, Eliza (Burchett)

1879-1953

Mrs. Eliza Jane Carter, 73, formerly of Busseyville, KY, died at 4:30 a.m. Friday at the home of a son, Randall Carter of Columbus. Funeral services were conducted at 11 a.m. Sunday at the Carter Chapel on Louisa route 3, by the Rev. Arlie Blackburn and the Rev. Sebert Carter. Burial was in the Carter Cemetery. Mrs. Carter was born November 30, 1879, at Yatesville, KY, a daughter of the late Calvin and Sarah Ann Adams Burchett. Her husband, Marion Carter, died in 1940. Additional survivors include four daughters, Mrs. James Hayes of Adams, KY, Mrs. R. B. Edwards of Ashland, Mrs. Jay Pack of Grove City, OH, and Mrs. Sim Alley of Columbus, another son, Kire Carter of Akron, OH, and 18 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, June 18, 1953

HICKMAN, Hiram

Hiram Hickman, 50, a resident of Kansas City, MO, for 27 years, was taken by death June 14 at a Kansas City Hospital. He was a native of Louisa and a nephew of Ham Allison and Mrs. Elliott Jones, Sr. of Louisa. Funeral services were conducted June 20 from Young Funeral Home with Rev. J. C. Hager officiating. Burial was in the Wallace Cemetery on route 1. Survivors, other than the two listed above are a sister, Mrs. Mamie Jones, Cincinnati, three brothers, Willie of Huntington, Taylor, Portsmouth and Thomas of Georgetown, KY. Big Sandy News, June 25, 1953

LEMASTER, Martha Bell

1927-1953

Miss Martha Bel Lemaster, 26, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Lemaster of Louisa, died at 10:45 p.m. Saturday, May 30, at the home following a long illness. Funeral services were conducted at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Elizabeth Church, Clifford, KY by the Rev. John Castle, the Rev. Kelly Castle, the Rev. Proctor Blair and the Rev. Edison Conley. Burial was in Lemaster Cemetery, Louisa, route 2, Miss Lemaster was born May 5, 1927, at Louisa, route 2. She had lived in Louisa for 11 years. Surviving in addition to her parents, are two sisters, Mrs. Andrew Scenters of Ashland and Miss Wanda Lemaster of Columbus, and a brother, James Edward Lemaster at home. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, June 4, 1953

MARTIN, Thomas Joel

1882-1953

Thomas Joel Martin, 71, of Fallsburg, died at 6:30 a.m. Friday at his home of injuries he received in an automobile wreck May 16 on U. S. route 23 near Fallsburg. Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday at the residence by the Rev. Grover Fannin. Burial was in the Martin Cemetery at Fallsburg. Martin, a farmer, was born February 20, 1882, at Prestonsburg, KY, a son of the late Joel David and Mary McGuire Martin and was a member of the Baptist Church. He was married 60 years ago to Miss Josephine Cornett, who survives. Additional survivors include three daughters, Mrs. Henry Music of Prestonsburg, Mrs. W. T. Lafferty, Allen, KY, and Mrs. Otto Blackburn, Woods, KY; three sons, James and T. J. Martin of Van Lear, KY, and Joel David Martin of Ashland and 31 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Curtright Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, June 11, 1953

SAMMONS, Keither Lindsey

Funeral services were conducted Saturday afternoon at the Glenhayes Church for Keither Lindsey Sammons, 19, who was killed Friday morning when struck by an N & W train. Sammons, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Auxier Sammons, Glenhayes, had been employed at Columbus, OH and had returned home only a day previously. Funeral services, under the direction of Young Funeral Home, were conducted by Rev. Sammie Branham. Burial was in the Ratcliff Cemetery. Survivors, other than the parents, include a sister, Mrs. Joe Heisler, a resident of Columbus, OH. Big Sandy News, June 18, 1953

THOMPSON, H. B.

1872-1953

The Rev. H. B. Thompson, 81, of Sidney, WV, a retired Methodist minister and Wayne county school teacher, died Sunday night at his home. Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Hopewell Methodist Church on Joel's Branch by the Rev. C. H. Kelly. Burial was in the Crabtree Cemetery. Mr. Thompson was born March 16, 1872, at Sidney, a son of the late Edwin and Mary Ellen Crabtree Thompson. He had been a minister for 55 years, and was retired as a school teacher 15 years ago. He was a member of the Hopewell Methodist church. His first wife, Mary Hannah Thompson, preceded him in death in 1913. He was later married to Miss Bertha Robertson who survives. Survivors other than the wife, include 8 daughters, Mrs. S. A. Stafford of Princeton, WV Misses Violet and Blanche Thompson of Williamson, WV, Mrs. Henry Wilson of Ferguson, WV, Mrs. Clarence Noe of Rittman, OH, Mrs. William Pfiel and Mrs. Hubert Waite of Cleveland, OH, and Mrs. C. H. Cole of Baton Rouge, LA, three sons, Frank L. of Williamson, WV, Shirley of Portsmouth, OH, and Aubrey of Baltimore, MD; two brothers, John L. Thompson of Sidney and Finley B. Thompson of Fort Gay route 2 and 19 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Curtright Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, June 4, 1953

WILSON, Larry

1952-1953

Larry Wilson, 10 month old son of George D. and Gladys Damron Wilson of route 2, Fort Gay, WV died last week at his home. The child was born August 10, 1952 in a Louisa hospital and had been in ill health since birth. Funeral services were conducted Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Saltpeter Church with the Rev. Grant Raines officiating. Burial was in the Wellman Cemetery on route 2, Louisa. Surviving in addition to the parents, are three sisters,  and two brothers, all at home; the paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Wilson, and the maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Damron all of route 2, Fort Gay. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, June 11, 1953

JULY 1953

BOWEN, Georgia (Salmon)

1886-1963

Mrs. Georgia Salmon Bowen, 67, died in King's Daughters' Hospital in Ashland Friday at 2 a.m. She had been a patient at the hospital for the past nine days, and had been ill for about four weeks. Mr. Bowen was a resident of route 1, Webb, WV, above Clifford, KY, May 4, 1886, daughter of the late Jerry and Elizabeth Hammond Salmon. Mrs. Bowen, who had been a member of the United Baptist Church for 56 years, was preceded in death by her husband, Ambrose, who died 27 years ago. Funeral services were conducted Sunday at 2 p.m. at the residence with the Rev. Sammy Branham and the Rev. Wade Moore officiating. Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Lawrence Ison, route 1, Webb, WV, Mrs. Lester Copley, Delbarton, WV and Mrs. D. V. Hatfield, Yeager, WV; five sons, Liss Bowen, route 1, Webb, Bennie Bowen, DeQueen, AZ, Tom Bowen, Detroit, MI and Jerry and George Bowen, both of Nolan, WV; two sisters, Mrs. Della Martin, Portsmouth, OH, and Mrs. Mary Lynch, North Platt, NB; three brothers, Lindsey Salmon, Ray, OH, James Salmon, route 1, Webb, and William Salmon, Barnabus, WV; 27 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Curtright Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, July 2, 1953

CURNUTTE, William George

Death came Tuesday afternoon to William George Curnutte, 78, retired building contractor, at his home at Williamson, after an illness of three weeks. A member of the Baptist Church, he was the son of the late John and Sarah Allen Curnutte, and had lived at Williamson for 49 years. He was a native of Adams, Lawrence County. Funeral services were scheduled for Thursday (today) at 2:30 p.m. from the Young Funeral Home with Rev. S. B. Ball officiating. Burial will be in the Pine Hill Cemetery. Survivors include three daughters, Mrs. Clyde Linkous and Mrs. Zelpha Maynard of Williamson and Mrs. I. A. Pitsenberger of Huntington, WV, two sons, James Morgan Curnutte of Columbus, OH and William George Curnutte, Jr. of Williamson and 6 grandchildren. Big Sandy News, July 16, 1953

DILLON, Charley

Death came June 19 to Charley Dillon, 80, after an illness of three months. He was a patient in the St. Mary's Hospital in Huntington. A retired machinist, he was a member of the Church of Christ, and a son of the late McCager and Polly Harris Dillon. Funeral services were conducted Sunday from the Fort Gay Church of Christ with Rev. Wayne and Clarence Moore officiating. Burial was in the Copley Cemetery at Webb, under the direction of Young Funeral Home. Survivors include the widow, Mrs. Nancy Ann Dillon, Fort Gay; six daughters, Mrs. Charley Rago, Logan, WV, Mrs. Kenneth Jarrell, route 1 Webb, WV, Mrs. Scott Salmons, Columbus, OH, Mrs. John Workman, Hurricane, WV, Mrs. Carl Gregory, Sciotoville, OH and Miss Edith Dillon, Webb, WV, seven sons, W. L. Dillon and Chriss Dillon, Webb, WV, John Dillon, Glenn Allen, WV, Everett Dillon, Ervin, OH, Clifford Dillon, Columbus, OH, Fred Dillon, Williamson, WV, and Robert Dillon, Fort Gay and 71 grandchildren. Big Sandy News, July 2, 1953

GAMBILL, W. L.

1. L. Gambill, a former resident of Blaine and a 79 year old retired employee of the New Jersey Oil Co., died June 21 at his home in Sistersville, WV. A son of the late Edison (Uncle Shine) Gambill and Mrs. Gambill, and a brother of Hugh Gambill, Blaine. Big Sandy News, July 2, 1953

HALE, Charley

1883-1953

Charley Hale, 70, route 1, Louisa, died Tuesday afternoon at a Louisa Hospital after an illness of two months. He was a retired farmer and a member of the Freewill Baptist Church for 50 years. He was born on route 1, March 23, 1883, the son of the late Ira and Jane Ball Hale. Funeral services were set for Thursday, July 2, at 2 p.m. from the Norris Freewill Baptist Church with Rev. Arlie Blackburn and Rev. Jay Preston officiating. Burial was in the Blackburn Cemetery on Little Blaine. The body will remain at Curtright Funeral Home until 1 p.m. Thursday when it will be taken to the church. Survivors include the widow, Mrs. Annie Blackburn Hale, whom he had been married to for 50 years; three daughters, Mrs. Clyde Barnett, Jr., Mrs. John L. Huston, Mrs. Ival Clarkston, all of Columbus, OH, a son, Bennett Hale, Williamson, WV, three sisters, Mrs. Drewsie Laney, Catlettsburg, Mrs. Nora George, Georges Creek, Mrs. Belva Cundiff, Soldier, three brothers, Clarence, Ira, and Bill Hale, all of route 1, and then grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Big Sandy News, July 2, 1953

KIDD, Elizabeth (Adkins)

Mrs. Elizabeth Adkins Kidd, age 61 years, formerly of Lawrence County, died of a heart attack Tuesday, July 7, at Higginsport, OH, while en route to visit her father, John Adkins, and a sister, Mrs. Ed Gose of Louisa, route 1 and other relatives of this vicinity. Mrs. Kidd was a member of the Church of God and was a faithful and ardent worker in the church. Interment was made in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park at Erlanger, KY. Survivors include her husband, Thomas Kidd, five daughters, Mrs. George Ona, Mrs. Mildred Morris of Newport, KY, Mrs. Gladys, Ethel and Bessie Stidham of Milford Center, OH; her father, John Adkins of Ulysses, KY, two sisters, Mrs. Lark Neace, Whitesburg, KY, Mrs. Ed Gose, Louisa route 1; five brothers, George Adkins, Louisa, Robert Adkins, Russell, KY, Ora Adkins of Newport, KY, Monroe and Samuel Adkins of Ashland, KY; 23 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Big Sandy News, July 16, 1953

LEMASTER, Charles Eddie

1914-1953

Charles Eddie Lemaster, 38, of Louisa, died Wednesday night of last week in a local hospital after an illness of one year. Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Louisa Freewill Baptist Church by the Rev. Dave L. Hewlett and the Rev. Gallie Isaac. Burial was in the Pine Hill Cemetery. Mr. Lemaster was born August 4, 1914, at White House, KY, a son of Mrs. Martha Daniels Lemaster of Louisa and the late Charles Lemaster. He was formerly employed by the Miller Wholesale Co., in Louisa. Survivors include the widow, Mrs. Laura Ball Lemaster, five daughters, Mrs. Harold Vanhorn of Fallsburg, KY, and Martha, Dora Jean, Ettie Mae and Carol June Lemaster at home; two sons, Corporal Charles Lemaster, serving in the Air Force in Washington, and Anthona Lemaster at home; the mother, three sisters, Mrs. Earl Branham and Mrs. Florence Caudill of Louisa and Mrs. Clifford Napier of Wadsworth, OH; four brothers, Theodore Lemaster of Mansfield, OH, Bennie Lemaster of Louisa route 4, Herbert Lemaster of Sandy Hook, KY and James Lemaster of Louisa and three grandchildren. Funeral arrangements were under direction of Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, July 30, 1953

LYCAN, William Sartain

1865-1953

William Sartain Lycan, 87, of Fort Gay, died at 11 p.m. Wednesday of last week in a Huntington hospital after an illness of one year. Funeral services were conducted at 11 a.m. Sunday at the Forks of Hurricane Baptist Church. Burial was in the Wellman Cemetery on Fort Gay route 1. Mr. Lycan, a retired carpenter, was born at Fort Gay, route 1, September 23 1865, a son of the late Andrew and Emma McComas Lycan. He had been a member of the Baptist Church for 72 years and was a veteran of the Spanish-American War. Survivors include the widow, Mrs. Bird Wellman Lycan; two daughters, Mrs. Frank Wellman of Fort Gay route 1, and Mrs. James E. Lee of Hopewell, GA; one son, Paul Lycan of Tarpon Springs, FL, one step daughter, Mrs. James Artrip, of Lima, OH, one stepson, W. R. Stith of Pitcher, NY and six grandchildren. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, July 9, 1953

MCDOWELL, Edith (Harris)

Mrs. Edith Harris McDowell, 85, wife of the late James McDowell lifelong resident of Blaine, this county, died at the home of a daughter in Lucasville, OH, Saturday, July 18, following an illness of two years. Funeral services were conducted Monday, July 20, at the Camp Creek Methodist Church in Lucasville. Survivors include four daughters, Mrs. Henry Queen, Columbus, OH, Mrs. W. M. Friend, Lucasville, OH, Mrs. Sam Smith Coopersville, OH, Mrs. Buren White, Lucasville, and three sons, Ed and Paul McDowell, Lucasville and John McDowell, Louisa route 4, one brother, Joe Harris, Thacker, WV, 76 grandchildren, 74 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. Big Sandy News, July 30, 1953

MILLER, William Martin

1873-1953

William Martin Miller, 80, a resident of Dwale, KY died Saturday at 1 p.m. at his home. He suffered a stroke three weeks ago and had been in ill health for the past two years. Mr. Miller was born at Brandywine, VA, April 10, 1873. Prior to his residence in Dwale, he made his home in Louisa. He was a retired oil well driller, and had been a member of the Methodist Church since childhood. Graveside services were conducted Monday at the St. Marys Cemetery, St. Marys, WV with the Rev. B. A. Mitchell officiating. Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Sam Hewlett, Charleston, WV, Mrs. William Walker, Diamond, WV, and Mrs. D.O. Newman, Chesapeake, OH, two sons, W. R. Miller, Oakland, CA and R. S. Miller of Louisa; 14 grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, July 9, 1953

PACK, Donald

1953-1953

Donald Pack, infant son of Freelin and Edith Boyce Pack, of Louisa, died at 5:30 a.m. Friday in Louisa General Hospital following an illness of one week. He was born February 12, 1953. Surviving are the parents, one brother, Glen Allen Pack, at home; the paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Acie Pack of Louisa, and the maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Boyce of Naugatuck, WV. Funeral services were conducted at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the residence with the Rev. Ola Stepp of Naugatuck officiating. Burial was in the Buffalo Horn Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Curtright Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, July 9, 1953

SHORT, Andrew Jackson

1879-1953

Andrew Jackson (Jack) Short, 73, of Louisa route 3, died at 1 p.m. Tuesday at his home after suffering a heart attack while eating lunch. Mr. Short, a farmer, was a retired foreman of the Kentucky Highway Department in Lawrence County. He was born at Louisa route 4, September 13, 1879, a son of the late James and Sarah Whitt Short, and was a member of Louisa Lodge 270, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Funeral services will be conducted Friday at 2 p.m. from Myrtle Chapel with the Rev. J. C. Hager and Rev. Dave Hewlett officiating. Interment will be in the Short Cemetery under the direction of Young Funeral Home. Survivors include the widow, Mrs. Lucy Elkins Short; three daughters, Mrs. Wesley Salisbury of Ashland, Mrs. Homer Ekers of Columbus, and Mrs. William Woods of El Paso, TX, whose husband, Major Woods is stationed at Biggs Air Force Base there; two sons, William T. Short at home, and Homer Short of Ashland; three sisters, Mrs. Louticia Marcum, Louisa, and Mrs. Martha Ball and Mrs. Emma Rice, of Louisa, route 3, and two grandchildren. Big Sandy News, July 16, 1953

WELLS, Minnie (Thompson)

1879-1953

Death came late Tuesday evening to Mrs. Minnie Thompson Wells, 73, widow of the late Barney B. Wells, following a stroke suffered while she was processing peaches early Tuesday morning. Death came at the hospital. She lived with Mrs. B. F. Moore and Mrs. Mollie Thompson on Jefferson Street. Born October 5, 1879, she was a daughter of the late John and Elizabeth Pennington Thompson. Funeral services, under the direction of Curtright Funeral Home, will be conducted Friday, July 31, at 10:30 a.m. from the Myrtle Chapel Church with Rev. Gallie Isaac and Rev. Jack Perry officiating. Burial will be in the Myrtle Chapel Cemetery. The body is to remain at the funeral home until time for funeral. Survivors include a son, Virgil R. Wells of Xenia, OH; a sister, Mrs. B. F. Moore, Louisa, and a granddaughter, Mrs. Helen Allbright of Xenia, OH. Big Sandy News, July 30, 1953

AUGUST 1953

BOGGS, Marlene Francis

1953-1953

Marlene Francis Boggs, infant daughter of Ishmael and Bonnie Moore Boggs, died August 23, 1953 at a local hospital. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. the same day at the Boggs Cemetery at Blaine, KY with the Rev. Emory Ferguson officiating. Survivors include the father and mother, the grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Boggs and Mrs. Nellie Moore, all of Blaine. Big Sandy News, August 27, 1953

CARDWELL, Beulah (Simpson)

1869-1953

Mrs. Beulah Simpson Cardwell, 84, of Fort Gay, died Thursday of last week in a local hospital following a heart attack suffered Tuesday. Funeral services were conducted at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Fort Gay Baptist Church with the Rev. Carvel Grant and Rev. H. A. LaParl officiating. Burial was in the Billups Gap Cemetery at Fort Gay. Mrs. Cardwell was born April 30, 1869, at Stuart, VA, a daughter of the late Dr. Howard Simpson and Mrs. Eliza Ann Arrington Simpson. Her husband, Charles M. Cardwell, died in 1937. Survivors include two daughters, Miss Cora Cardwell of Fort Gay and Mrs. R. M. Keller of Cincinnati; a step daughter, Mrs. Jenny Martin of Mayodan, NC; two sons, J. Howard and Charles A. Cardwell of Fort Gay; three sisters, Mrs. Jenny Hill and Mrs. Anna Hutchins of Martinsville, VA and Miss Susie Simpson of Leaksville, NC; two brothers, Philip Simpson of Fort Gay and H. N. Simpson of Stuart, and 8 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. The body was taken to the home of a son, Jr. Howard Cardwell of Fort Gay, Friday from the Curtright Funeral Home and to the church one hour before services. Big Sandy News, August 27, 1953

CASTON, Nancy Lee

1953-1953

Nancy Lee Caston, infant daughter of James A. and Betty Lee Thompson Caston of Lexington, KY, died at 1:15 a.m. Saturday, August 1 in a Louisa hospital. Graveside funeral services were held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in the Thompson Cemetery near Fort Gay, WV with the Rev. J. C. Hager officiating. Surviving are the parents, the maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. G. R. Thompson of Fort Gay and the paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Ross Caston of South Williamson, WV. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Curtright Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, August 6, 1953

EDWARDS, James Martin

1899-1953

James Martin (Lum) Edwards, 53, died of a heart attack at 4 a.m. Monday at his home in Fort Gay, WV. A native of North Carolina, he moved to Fort Gay 25 years ago. He was born October 6, 1899, at Green Hill, NC, a son of the late Henry E. and Lorena Keeter Edwards. A member of Vinson Lodge No. 66, F & AM, Fort Gay, he was employed as a steamfitter for the Stone & Webster Construction Co at South Point, OH. Surviving are the widow, Mrs. Vola Singer Edwards, four step daughters, Mrs. Luther Endicott of Genoa, WV, Ms. John Crum of Ashland, KY, Mrs. Glen Ward of Chillicothe, and Miss Sammie Maynard of Circleville, OH two step sons, Frank Maynard of Fort Gay, and Homer D. Maynard of Huntington, seven sisters and four brothers, all of North Carolina. Funeral services were conducted at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Fort Gay Methodist Church. Burial was made in the Bartram Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, August 13, 1953

FRAZIER, Delphia (Hammond)

1868-1953

Mrs. Delphia Hammond Frazier, 84, died at 10 a.m. Saturday at the home of a daughter, Mrs. W. D. Burton of route 1, Louisa, She had been ill for the past six months. Mrs. Frazier was born October 4, 1868, at Torchlight, KY, a daughter of the late John and Delphia Stansbury Hammond. Her husband, John A. Frazier, died in 1940. She had been a member of the Methodist Church at Warfield, KY for 70 years. Funeral services were conducted at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Curtright Funeral Home by the Rev. Rush Frazier. Burial was made in the Frazier Cemetery at Eloise, KY. Surviving in addition to the daughter are 26 nieces and 29 nephews. Big Sandy News, August 13, 1953

GARTIN, William Herbert

1893-1953

William Herbert Gartin, 60, Plain Beach, FL, died August 8 at his home there. He was born January 28, 1893, at Blaine, KY, the son of the late Elijah and Ollie Rachel Justice Gartin. He was  a retail and wholesale fruit merchant at Palm Beach. The body arrived at the Curtright Funeral Home, Wednesday, and was taken to the home of a brother, Charlie Gartin, where funeral services were conducted at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, with the Rev. William Sparks officiating. Survivors include the widow, Louise Johnson Gartin, two daughters, Mrs. Homer G. Sutherland, Louisville, KY, Miss Betty Gartin, Frankfort, kY; one son, William H. Gartin, Jr., Juno, FL; two sisters, Mrs. Fulton Wheeler, Waverly, OH, Mrs. Ora Boggs, route 2, Louisa, and a brother, Charley Gartin, Blaine. Big Sandy News, August 13, 1953

GOSE, Ray Vernon

1929-1953

Funeral services for Ray Vernon Gose, a victim of the Korean conflict will be held Sunday morning at the Meades Branch Freewill Baptist Church, with Rev. Gallie Isaac officiating. Burial will follow in the Swetnam Cemetery on Georges Creek. Gose had been in Korea for 3  1/2 months at the time of his death, on June 13, 1953. The body will arrive here early Thursday morning (today) according to authorities. The American Legion will conduct official services. A son of Frank and Nell Stewart Gose, He was the husband of Geneva Mae Gose, all of Columbus, OH. Other survivors include; four sisters, Mrs. William Blankenship, route 3, Louisa, Mrs. John W. Bryant, Columbus, OH, Mrs. Ervin Hinkle, route 1, Louisa, and Miss Barbara Jean Gose, at home, one brother, Billie Joe Gose, at home. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, August 27, 1953

HACKNEY, Aubrey Kathleen (Edwards)

1916-1953

Mrs. Aubrey Kathleen Hackney, 37, died Saturday, August 22, at the home of Mrs. W. M. Norris of Salt Lick, KY. Mrs. Hackney was born March 26, 1916, at Blaine, KY, a daughter of Mrs. Edith Edwards and the late Winfield Edwards. She was a member of the Church of God in Morehead, KY for four years. Funeral services were conducted at 10 a.m. Monday in the Church of God in Morehead. Burial was in the Edwards Cemetery at Blaine. Survivors include the husband, Anthony B. Hackney of Morehead; six sisters, Mrs. Henry Griffith, of Blaine, Mrs. W. M. Norris, Salt Lick, Mrs. R. L. Parker, Frankfort, Mrs. Elva Barnette, Canada, Mrs. Hermie Nichols, Portsmouth, OH, Mrs. Russell Sparks, New Boston, OH and one brother, C. M. Edwards of Danville, KY. Big Sandy News, August 27, 1953

HINKLE, Raymond E.

1915-1953

Raymond E. Hinkle, 38, of Richardson, KY, died Wednesday of last week in the Veterans Hospital at Outwood, KY, where he had been a patient for 11 months. Funeral services were conducted at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Methodist Church at Richardson by the Rev. J. C. Hager. Burial was in the Hinkle Cemetery at Richardson. Mr. Hinkle served in the South Pacific with the Army during World War II. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Ward at Outwood, KY. He was born July 20, 1915, a son of Oscar F. and Jane Allen Hinkle of Richardson. Additional survivors include two daughters, Misses Patricia Ann and Frances Jane Hinkle of Columbus; two sisters, Mrs. Joseph Meek of Paintsville, KY and Mrs. Jim Frank Compton of Louisa, and one brother, Jack Hinkle of Phoenix, AZ. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Curtright Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, August 13, 1953

HOLT, Granville Bernard

1917-1953

A totally disabled veteran, alone in his two-story home near here, burned to death Thursday of last week. The victim was Granville Bernard Holt, 34, who served in the Army in World War II. Coroner L. Byron Young--in advance of Friday morning inquest--said there were tow possible explanations for the way Holt, who reportedly was subject to fainting spells from a head injury, collapsed against the electric range in the kitchen and set his clothes on afire, then the house. The other was that the blaze began in another part of the home and that the virtually helpless victim was unable to escape. (The Young Funeral Home said Holt was the third member of his family to be burned to death. Two years ago, his grandmother and a niece perished in a fire at Busseyville, KY.) Young said the body was found in the vicinity of the kitchen--near a window-- in the ruins. Holt's wheelchair was in another part of the house.

Young said he did not know how Holt was disabled but that he understood the veteran had leg injuries and had undergone head surgery which included placing a steel plate about his skull. Holt's wife, Thelma, had left the house to shop in Louisa a few minutes before the fire broke out. the couple's oldest daughter, Mary Lee, 12, also was here. Their other daughter, Helena, 6, was playing the vicinity of the home. Mrs. J. R. Miller, who lived nest door to the Holts, said she first saw smoke coming from their chimney and thought nothing of it. She summoned help when smoke began coming out the windows minutes later. Men working at a nearby garage arrived almost immediately but the fire already had gained such headway they could not enter the house. Louisa firemen also were at the scene but could do nothing to halt the blaze, there was no water for their pumper truck. Holt had last worked as an oiler on a powershovel about five years ago, Young said. He had been a patient at the Huntington, WV Veterans Hospital but a physician there said regulations forbade his discussing the case--even to confirm that the man could or could not walk. Holt was born December 20, 1917, at Busseyville, a son of the late Webb Holt and Mrs. Gypsy Holt, who survives. He was a member of the W. O. Johnson Post 89 of the American Legion of Louisa. Funeral services were conducted Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Busseyville Methodist Church with the Revs. S. B. Ball and Kelly Patton officiating. Burial was made in the Bussey Cemetery at Busseyville. Also surviving are the widow, Mrs. Thelma Marcum Holt; two daughters, Mary Lee and Helena Holt, at home; a sister, Mrs. Al Moreman of San Francisco, CA; two brothers, Joe Holt of San Francisco and Bill Holt of Louisa route 1. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, August 13, 1953

HUGHES, Lizzie (Fletcher)

Mrs. Lizzie Fletcher Hughes, 73, a native of Wayne County, WV and a resident of route 1, Louisa, died Wednesday afternoon of last week in a local hospital. Mrs. Hughes was a daughter of the late Sylvester and Nancy Jane Isaac Fletcher, and was preceded in death several years ago by her husband, Oscar Hughes. The body was removed from the Curtright Funeral Home, Thursday to the home of a daughter, Mrs. Sammy Fletcher, at route 1, Louisa. Funeral services were conducted Friday at 2 p.m. from the Moore Chapel on Lick Creek with the Rev. Gallie Isaac and the Rev. Mart Isaac officiating. Burial was in the Cassell Cemetery on Rubin Creek. She had been a member of the Freewill Baptist Church for 35 years. Survivors are two daughters, Mrs. Sammy Fletcher, route 1, Louisa, and Mrs. Bud Bentley, Garrett, KY; two sons, Harve Fletcher, route 1, Louisa, and Clarence Hughes, Garrett; one step son, Bill Hughes, Prestonsburg, KY, two sisters, Mrs. Edna Isaac, route 1, Louisa, and Mrs. Jim Boggs, Jackson, MI; one brother, Jim Fletcher, Omar, WV; 22 grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Big Sandy News, August 20, 1953

JUSTICE, Ed

A Louisa colored man, Ed Justice, who lost both legs below the knees at the age of 14 was shot and killed about 8:40 p.m. Friday night in an Ashland residence. Five minutes later, Sam Mann, 39, of 1921 Greenup Avenue, gave himself up at police headquarters and admitted shooting Ed Justice, 29. Despite the fact the victim walked on two artificial legs, Mann told police officers he shot in self-defense. The body of Justice, a car washer for the Yellow Cab Co., Ashland, was found sprawled in a doorway at the residence. He had lost both legs below the knees when he was run over by a train at the age of 14. Mann was booked at police headquarters on a murder charge. The victim was a son of Mrs. Lillian Justice, a cook for the Riverview Hospital in Louisa. He apparently made his home for a great part of the time  with his mother. The Yellow Cab Co., where he worked, is located about two doors from the house where he was killed. He is also survived by two brothers, Bob Justice of Huntington and Morton Justice of Louisa. Funeral services were conducted Tuesday at the Young Funeral Home at 2 p.m. with the Rev. J. C. Hager officiating. Burial followed in the Wallace Cemetery. Big Sandy News, August 13, 1953

LAND, Jannie (Vinson)

1873-1953

Mrs. Jannie Vinson Land, 80, one of Louisa's most widely respected residents, died Saturday at 4 p.m. in a local hospital following an illness of three years. She had been a patient in the hospital for the past five days. Mrs. Land was born in Louisa, May 15, 1873, a daughter of the late K. F. and Nancy Wellman Vinson. She had been a member of the Louisa Methodist Church since childhood. Her husband, preceded her in death in 1906. Funeral services were conducted Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the Young Funeral Home with the Rev. Charles Perry officiating, and burial was in Pine Hill Cemetery. Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. J. R. Kennedy, El Paso, TX, and Miss Nancy land, at home; one son, Edward B. Land, at home; one sister, Mrs. Rebecca Marcum, Ceredo, WV, two brothers, R. L. Vinson and Milt Vinson, both of Louisa, and two grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Two of her children, Nancy and Edward Land operate the Land Sundry Store in Louisa. Big Sandy News, August 27, 1953

LYCAN, Henry Willard

1880-1953

Henry Willard Smith, 73, of Fort Gay, WV, father of Attorney Chesley A. Lycan and Orval H. Lycan, well known Ashland residents, died at 3:40 p.m. Saturday in St. Mary's Hospital, Huntington. He had been in ill health for the past two years. A prominent Fort Gay resident, Mr. Lycan had owned and operated the Home Nursery Co, since 1907. He was born September 6, 1880, at Fort Gay, a son of the late A. W. and Amanda Robinson Lycan, and had been a member of the Tabors Creek, WV Baptist Church for 54 years. He and his wife, Mrs. May Loar Lycan, had celebrated their golden wedding anniversary last March 28. Surviving in addition to the widow are three daughters, Mrs. G. A. Bowling of Port Chester, NY, Mrs. J. Forest Allen of South Charleston, WV and Mrs. Dennis Waller of Fort Gay; five sons, Chesley and Orval Lycan of Ashland, Gilblert L. Lycan of Lake Helen, FL, Milton S. and Ralph B. Lycan of Fort Gay; three sisters, Mrs. Armelia Wilson of Ashland, Mrs. E. L. Loar of Kenova, WV, and Mrs. W. R. Gross of Welch, WV; four brothers, C. S. Lycan of Huntington, Zenas, Wayne and C. W. Lycan, all of Fort Gay; 21 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Funeral services were conducted at 2:30 p.m. Monday from the Tabors Creek Baptist Church near Fort Gay with the Rev. B. R. Lakin of Fort Gay and the Rev. Carvel Grant officiating. Burial was in the Lycan Cemetery, route 1, Fort Gay. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Curtright Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, August 20, 1953

MEADE, James Stanley

1935-1953

Death came to the second youth this week as a result of an automobile accident about two miles south of here last Friday night. Two others were badly injured and shocked. James Stanley Meade, 18, of Van Lear, died shortly after arrival at the hospital as a result of a broken neck. The second youth to die was Howard Riffe, Jr. 22, also of Van Lear. Death came to him shortly after noon Monday. Injured at the time of the accident were: Robert Williams, 27, Paintsville, who was driving the car and Everett Stafford, 16, of Thelma, who was a passenger. The four, enroute to Paintsville from Dayton, OH, where they were employed, had stopped in Louisa and telephoned relatives that they were on their way home. The 1952 Plymouth sedan in which they were riding, struck a bridge near the State Garage, and was thrown for several yards. Two of the men were thrown free of the car. Young Funeral Home's ambulances brought the injured youths here for treatment and took Riffe to a Huntington hospital where he remained. The tow other youths were released after treatment for severe shock, bruises and lacerations. Big Sandy News, August 6, 1953

MEADOWS, John

1901-1953

MEADOWS, Thomas Jefferson

1938-1953

A Debord, KY, man and his 14 year old son died of asphyxiation Friday while they were painting the super-structure of a gas well near Inez. The man, John Meadows, 51, and his son, Thomas Jefferson Meadows, were found about 3 p.m. by a workman who came to the well. At an inquest held at Inez, Saturday, it was determined that they had died about 10 a.m. from gas escaping from the well. Mr. Meadows, a meter operator for the United Fuel Gas Company, was born at Preece, KY, September 24, 1901, a son of Jerry and Emma Harless Meadows. He had been for 17 years a member of the Freewill Baptist Church and belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Rebekahs of Inez. Thomas Meadows, his son was born at Lovely, KY, December 7, 1938, a son of the late John and Angeline Moore Meadows. Funerals services were conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Inez High School gymnasium with the Rev. Clifford Booth officiating. Burial was in the Meadows and Harless Cemetery at Inez. The Odd Fellows conducted graveside rites for Mr. Meadows. Surviving are Mrs. Florence Porter Meadows, wife and stepmother of the deceased, Mrs. Wheatley Harless of Akron, OH, and Miss Rushie Meadows, a student nurse at St. Mary's Hospital, Huntington, daughters and sisters of Mr. Meadows and his son; and Thomas Clinton Meadows, Beauty, KY, a son and brother, Mrs. Meadows had five grandchildren. Big Sandy News, August 20, 1953

MORAN, Sally (Maynard)

1904-1953

Funeral services for Mrs. Sally Maynard Moran, 49, of New York, formerly of Louisa, route 2, who drowned July 9 off the coast of Maine, were conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday of last week at the Curtright Funeral Home with the Rev. T. A. Duncan of Kenova, WV officiating. Burial followed in the See Family cemetery near Louisa. The body was recovered a few days before at a lighthouse at Portland, ME, some 100 miles from the place Mrs. Moran was last seen. A visitor of the Summer cottage of artist Rockwell Kent at Monehegan Island, Mrs. Moran had gone for a walk and disappeared. She was born March 1, 1904, a daughter of the late Rev. Alonza M. and Lucy Maynard See. Surviving are a son, Daniel E. Moran of Madison, WS, three sisters, Mrs. A. W. Goode of Logan, WV, Mrs. J. M. Fugitt of Corapolis, PA and Mrs. R. W. Kesel of Kenova, WV and three grandchildren. Mrs. Goode, who went to Portland to identify the body, accompanied the body to Louisa. Big Sandy News, August 13, 1953

POTTER, June

Mrs. June R. Potter, 27, passed away at her home at Vermillion, OH, on July 30th at 20:45 p.m. She had been ill for three years. Mrs. Potter was born in England and was married to Creed Potter of Louisa 11 years ago. They resided at Loraine, OH for 9 years and then moved to Vermillion. The body arrived at the Curtright Funeral Home Saturday, August 1 and was taken to the home of her mother in law, Mrs. Martin Potter, near Catalpa. Funeral services were conducted Monday at 2 p.m. from the Mayo Chapel, route 4, Louisa, with the Rev. Gallie Isaac officiating. Interment was made in the Mayo Cemetery. Mrs. Potter is survived by her husband, two sons, Martin III and Mark Isaac and her mother, Mrs. Evelyn Robinson of England. Big Sandy News, August 6, 1953

SMITH, Catherine (Vanover)

1878-1953

Mrs. Catherine Elizabeth Smith, 75, of the little Catt section, Louisa, route 4, died Sunday at the home. Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Baker Church near the home by the Rev. Fred Vanhorn. Burial was in the McDaniel Cemetery on Louisa route 4. Mrs. Smith was born July 24, 1878, at Buchanan, KY, a daughter of the late Arch and Lidda Ann Colegrove Vanover. She was a member of the Methodist Church. Her husband, William Smith, died 12 years ago. Survivors include two sisters, Mrs. C. J. Jordan, with whom she made her home, and Mrs. John C. Moore of Ashland, route 1, and two brothers, John and Andy Vanover of Rush, KY route 1. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, August 20, 1953

STEELE, Lora (Estep)

1884-1953

Mrs. Lora Steele, 68, of Cordell, KY died at 10:30 a.m. Thursday of last week at the home of a son, Jethro Steele of Cordell, after an illness of three years.  Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at the son's home by the Rev. W. S. Boggs. Burial was made in the family cemetery at Cordell. Mrs. Steele was born October 26, 1884, at Charley, KY, a daughter of the late Joseph and Miranda Bryant Estep. Her husband, James Steele, died in 1934. Mrs. Steele had been a member of the Freewill Baptist Church for 43 years. Additional survivors include one sister, Mrs. Louisa Boyd of Thelma, KY; one brother, Alonzo Estep of Louisa, route 1, and three grandchildren. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, August 13,1 953

VANHOOSE, Hershell P. T.

1894-1953

Hershell P. T. VanHoose, 58, of Shelby, OH, formerly of Louisa and Fort Gay, died Monday at 10 a.m. in a Shelby hospital after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage two hours earlier. Funeral services were conducted Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. at the Curtright Funeral Home by the Rev. Charles Perry. Burial was made in Pine Hill Cemetery. Mr. VanHoose formerly operated an electrical appliance store at Louisa, and was also an automobile salesman. He was born September 12, 1894, at Paintsville, KY, a son of the late William Jasper and Nancy C. Turner VanHoose. Mr. VanHoose was a veteran of World War I and was a member of the W.O. Johnson Post 89 of the American Legion. He was a retired mine engineer and government clerk. Survivors include the widow, Mrs. Julia Snyder VanHoose; two sisters, Mrs. R. F. Frasher and Miss Nolis VanHoose of Fort Gay and a brother, Charles C. VanHoose of Fort Gay. Big Sandy News, August 6, 1953

WELLS, Laura (Workman)

1870-1953

Mrs. Laura Workman Wells, 83, formerly of Louisa, died at 8:45 a.m. Monday in a local hospital. Mrs. Wells suffered a cerebral hemorrhage at a family reunion three weeks ago. She had been living with a son, Talmadge Wells of Ona, WV for 3 1/2 years. Funeral services were conducted at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Freewill Baptist Church by the Rev. B. R. Lakin and the Rev. W. S. Boggs. Burial was in the Workman Cemetery. Mrs. Wells was born June 12, 1870, at Louisa, route 2, a daughter of the late Thomas and Betty Marcum Workman. She was a member of the Freewill Baptist Church. Her husband, Henderson Wells, died in 1932. Additional survivors include one daughter, Mrs. Hubert L. Berger of Cleveland, OH; one other son, Willis Wells of Denver, KY, a brother, Rush Workman of Harts, WV; and five grandchildren and one great grandchild. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Curtright Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, August 27, 1953

SEPTEMBER 1953

AUXIER, Robert

1921-1953

A former Johnson County, KY man, Robert Auxier, 32,  was killed instantly at 7:00pm Friday night when the automobile he was driving left the highway on US 23, six miles south of Catlettsburg near the Jay Young farm. Auxier, a resident of Franklin, OH was enroute to Paintsville  to visit his father, G. G. Auxier,  who recentley underwent surgery in a Paintsville hospital. The victim was working as a carpenter on a motel construction job at Piqua, Ohio. According to investigating authorities, Auxier was attempting to round a curve when his automobile turned over, he was thrown clear of the car but died instantly when he sustained a fractured skull, broken neck, crushed chest, and fractures of both arms. Acting Coroner Russell Compton said death was instantaneous. A passenger in the auto, Billy Lee Pelphrey, 20, of Volga, sustained a head laceration and multiple abrasions.   He was taken to King's Daughters' Hospital and dismissed after treatment. He was not thrown from the car as was the driver, Auxier. The body was removed from the Kilgore-Collier Funeral Home in Catlettsburg, to the Young funeral Home in Louisa and was later removed to a Paintsville Funeral Home where funeral arrangements were made. Surviving in addition to both parents are the widow, Nancy Picklesimer Auxier, two daughters,  Roberta Lyn, and Susan Elaine, both at home, and one son, James Allen Auxier, at home; and the following brothers and sisters, Cecil Auxier, Oil Springs, Chester Auxier, Oil Springs, Carson Auxier, Manila, G.G. Auxier, Jr., Manila, Mrs. R.T. Cooper, Paintsville, Mrs. Dow Stapleton, Flat Gap, Mrs. J.C. Meade, Louisa, Mrs. Willie Hayes, Miamisburg, Ohio, Mrs. Virgil Meeks, Manila, and Mrs. Harold Britton, Louisa. Big Sandy News, September 3, 1953

BALL, Glendell Ray

1953-1953

Glendell Ray Ball, three day old son of Wesley and Regina Lee Hamilton Ball, of route 2, Fort Gay, WV, died Friday at 7:50 p.m. in a Louisa hospital. The body was taken to the Young Funeral Home where it remained until time of the services. Graveside rites were conducted in the church at Saltpeter, WV, Sunday at 10 a.m. and burial was made there. Surviving, in addition to the parents, are the maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Hamilton, and the paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Eathel Ball, all of Fort Gay. Big Sandy News, September 3, 1953

BEVINS, Jimmie Dean

193-1953

Funeral services for Jimmie Dean Bevins, 22, will be conducted Friday morning at 10 a.m. at Belle's Chapel, Georges Creek, with Rev. Dave Al Hayes and Rev. Jay Preston officiating. Burial will be in the family cemetery. Bevins was killed Monday morning when he fell from a third floor porch at his residence in Detroit. He was employed by the Production Plating Company in Detroit. The body was returned to Louisa Wednesday afternoon, and will be taken to the home of a brother, Grover Gene Bevins, at Georges Creek, today. A son of Grover and Bessie Preston Bevins, he was born at Georges Creek, August 11, 1931. He married Miss Harriet Copeland three years ago, a native of Dayton, she survives. Surviving, other than the widow and the parents, are two brothers Grover Gene of Georges Creek and Bobby Lee of Columbus. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Young Funeral Home, who brought the body to Louisa. Big Sandy News, September 3, 1953

BLEVINS, Hobson (Clifford)

1924-1953

Hobson (Clifford) Blevins, Jr., 29, of Baltimore, MD, formerly of Huntington was killed suddenly Saturday in an automobile accident at Muirkirk, MD on U. S. Route 1. Mr. Blevins was employed as a machine operator at Marland Dry Docks for 1 1/2 years at Baltimore. He was born June 30, 1924 at Edsel, KY and was a son of Hobson Blevins, Sr. of Edsel and Mrs. Madge Miles Polinori of Los Angeles. He was married 11 years ago to the former Miss Josephine Phillips of Huntington, who survives. Additional survivors include a daughter, Kay Frances Blevins at home, a son, Eddie Blevins at home; two sisters, Mrs. Paul Hardesty and Miss Nancy Ann Gay of Los Angeles, and the maternal grandmother, Mrs. Louella Miles of Louisa, KY. The body arrived in Louisa at 7:45 a.m. Tuesday and was taken to the Curtright Funeral Home and later removed to the home of his grandmother. Funeral services will be held today (Thursday) at 11 a.m. at the Curtright Funeral Home with the Rev. J. C. Hager officiating. Burial will follow in the Jordan Cemetery near Blaine, KY. A veteran of World War II, having spent 2 1/2 years in the Army. The W. O. Johnson Post No. 89 will have charge of the Military Rites at the grave. Big Sandy News, September 10,1953

BURTON, Ida (Sturgill)

Death came September 8 to Mrs. Ida Burton, a resident of Dunlow, WV, after an illness of three months. She was living in High Bottom at the time. She was 76 years of age, the widow of the late Henry Burton. Funeral services, under the direction of Young Funeral Home were conducted at the Dunlow Church with interment in the Marcum Cemetery there. She had been a member of the United Baptist church for 40 years. Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Willie Maynard of Logan, WV and Mrs. Noah Crum of Louisa, foster son, Robert Sturgill, Huntington, WV, three brothers, L. C. Sturgill, Charleston, WV, Rev. Henery Sturgill, route 1, Fort Gay, WV and John Sturgill of Portsmouth, OH, and 13 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Big Sandy News, September 17, 1953

CRABTREE, S. M. (Moody)

1. M. (Moody) Crabtree, 57, passed away at his home at Otway, OH on September 5, at 8 a.m. from an illness of three months. Funeral services were held Monday at 2 p.m. from the Spruce Lick Baptist church near Fort Gay, of which he had been a member for 50 years, with the Revs. Sidney Crabtree and Homer C. Hoosier officiating. Interment was made in the Isaac Cemetery. Survivors include the widow, Mrs. Lizzie Hubert Crabtree; three daughters, Mrs. Dorothy Stein, New Jersey, Mrs. Ethel Kier, of Bethesda, MD, and Mrs. Claudia Foster of Raden, OH; one sister, Mrs. Julia Akers of Fort Gay, WV, three brothers, G. B. Crabtree, Huntington, WV, Dock Crabtree, Fort Gay and Carl Crabtree of Genoa, WV and five grandchildren. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Curtright Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, September 10, 1953

DOOLEY, Glennie

1920-1953

Glennie Dooley, 33 years old, died at his home at Ulysses, KY Tuesday night at 10:30 p.m. following an illness of 9 months. He was born at Charley, KY, May 23, 1920. He was married to Miss Mary Johnson 11 years ago. He was a son of Harrison and Bertha Elwood Dooley of Louisa, route 1. He lived in Springfield, OH for 9 years and was a crane operator for the Ohio Steel Foundry. He was a veteran of World War II and had been a member of the Freewill Baptist Church for five years. Survivors include the widow, parents, and one daughter, Shara Jean Dooley; one son, Glenn Harris Dooley at home; four sisters, Mrs. Don Craig of Cable, OH, Mrs. Carl Hayes and Mrs. Lewis Kettlehake of Mechanicsburg, OH and Mrs. Charley Gibson of Dayton, OH, six brothers, Albert Dooley, Louisa, route 1, Dewey Dooley, Arvin, OH, Ransford Dooley, South Charleston, OH, Asa Dooley, Saint Paris, OH, Allie Jay Dooley, Springfield, OH, and 8 nieces and 18 nephews. Funeral services will be held today (Thursday) at 2 p.m. from the Belle's Chapel on Georges Creek  with the Revs. Dave Al Hayes, Jay Preston and Hartless Slone officiating. Interment will be in the Borders Cemetery near Ulysses. Mr. Dooley will be removed Thursday from the Curtright Funeral Home to his home at Ulysses at 10:30 a.m. Big Sandy News, September 24, 1953

KITCHEN, Chlora (Carter)

1876-1953

Mrs. Chlora Carter Kitchen, 77, of Gladys, KY, where she had lived for 40 years, died Sunday night at 10:25 p.m. in a Louisa physician's office. Mrs. Kitchen had been in ill health for the past month. Funeral services were conducted Wednesday from the Dennis Church at Dennis, KY with the Rev. Fred Vanhorn officiating. Burial was in the Webb Cemetery on Cooksey Fork. Mrs. Kitchen was born June 24, 1878, at Irad, KY, a daughter of the late James and Sarah Berry Carter. She was a member of the Methodist Church for 50 years. Her husband, Dave Kitchen, died in 1933. Survivors include five daughters, Mrs. Howard Burton of Northville, MI, Mrs. George Cornish, Mrs. Dan Wingate and Mrs. Clifford Smith of Detroit, and Mrs. Charles Chaffin of Louisa route 4, three sons, Nigal Kitchen of Louisa, route 4, Nolan Kitchen of Louisa, route 3, and Jay Kitchen of Dennis, KY; one sister, Mrs. Martha Kitchen of Dennis; two brothers, Bill Carter of Cherokee, KY and Kay Carter of Louisa route 4, 21 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Curtright Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, September 10, 1953

MATNEY, Alf A.

1885-9153

Alf A. Matney, 68, of 427 Rice Street, Louisa, a stone mason, died at 12:10 p.m. Thursday of last week at his home. Mr. Matney suffered a stroke  8 days before his death. Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Curtright Funeral Home by the Rev. Charles Perry. Burial was in the Wallace Cemetery. Mr. Matney was born August 17, 1885, at Louisa, a son of the late Reece B. and Zarah Gobel Matney. He was a member of the Baptist Church. Survivors include two daughters, Misses Ellen and Lillian Matney of Louisa and Charles Matney of Frankfort, KY, four sisters, Mrs. Loutie Fisher of Greensboro, NC, Mrs. Belle Fisher and Mrs. Opal Johnson of Huntington and Mrs. Wayne Garred of Louisa; six brothers, Harry Matney of Fort Gay, Frank, Ford and Wallace Matney of Huntington, Eugene Matney of Lexington, and Reece Matney of Williamson and three grandchildren. Big Sandy News, September 24, 1953

PENNINGTON, Dennis

Death came to Dennis Pennington, a native of Dennis, at a local hospital September 10, after an illness of three years. He was 52 years old, the son of the late William and Angeline Leadingham Pennington. Funeral services were conducted Sunday from the home of Sophia Savage with Revs. Sam Perry, Ervin Spaulding and Amil Hughes officiating. Burial was in the Pennington Cemetery under the direction of the Young Funeral Home. Survivors include the widow, Mrs. Rhoda Marcum Pennington of Radnor, WV, six daughters, Mrs. Paul Kitchen, Dayton, OH, Mrs. Edna Lafong, Dayton, Mrs. Claudia Webb, LaGrange, KY, Miss Alice, Sherrill Ann, Della Fay, at home; five sons, James Elmer Pennington, U. S. Army, Harold W. Pennington, U. S. Army, in Korea, Raymond Pennington, Dayton, OH, Paul David Pennington at home, George Sanford Pennington, Columbus, OH; four sisters, Mrs. Rosa Leadingham, Wheelersburg, OH, Mrs. Sophia Savage, Dennis, Mrs. Minnie Evans, Waverly, OH, and Mrs. Della Diamond, Kenova, WV. Big Sandy News, September 17, 1953

PORTER, Martha Jane

Death came September 10 to Mrs. Martha Jane Porter, 77, a resident of Fort Gay, route 2, while she was at Williamson, WV. She suffered a stroke four weeks ago. The funeral was conducted from the home on Grassy Creek last Saturday under the direction of Young Funeral Home. The Rev. Stewart Porter officiated. Burial was in the Porter Cemetery at Radnor. Survivors include four daughters, Mrs. Mary Sparks, Fort Gay, Mrs. Price Robinson, Wayne, WV, Mrs. Kay M. Vanhoose, Ravenna, OH and Miss Alice Porter, at home; and three sons, Lee Porter, Road Fork, KY, Thomas Porter, Raysal, WV and Kiah Porter, Rater, WV and 44 grandchildren, 47 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. Big Sandy News, September 17, 1953

ROBERTS, Wilbur

1892-1953

Wilbur Roberts, 62, of Ashland, and former Lawrence Countian, died suddenly of a heart attack at 11:20 p.m. Sunday, September 13 at his job in the galvanizing department at Armco. A native of Lawrence County, he was born October 14, 1892, a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. George Garfield Roberts. He moved to Ashland from Louisa 29 years ago and had been employed as a maintenance man in Armco's galvanizing department for the past 27 years. He was a veteran of World War I. His wife, Mrs. Shelda Diamond Roberts, died April 3, 1952. Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Marsh, and one son, Wilbur Roberts, Jr., both of Ashland, three grandchildren; one brother, Harry Roberts of Louisa and six sisters, Mrs. Milt Bradley, Miss Sophia Roberts and Miss Kathleen Roberts, all of Louisa, Mrs. Crit See of Lexington, OH, and Mrs. T. W. O'Neal of Seattle, WA and Miss Mary Roberts of Columbus, OH. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Lazear Funeral Home with the Rev. Charles G. Decring officiating and burial was in the Ashland Cemetery. Big Sandy News, September 24, 1953

SPEARS, Charles W.

1921-1953

Charles Spears, 31, a resident of Fort Gay, WV died in Veterans Hospital at Huntington, Friday morning at 5:30 a.m. following a brief illness. Mr. Spears was born at Saltpeter, WV, October 25, 1921, a son of Linsey and Minnie Adkins Spears, now residents of route 2, Fort Gay. He was a veteran of World War II, a member of the Fort Gay Methodist Church and the Vinson Lodge No. 66 F & AM of Fort Gay. He had been the operator of a radio and television service in Louisa and Fort Gay. The body was removed from the Young Funeral Home to the home of a sister in law Mrs. Frank Maynard, Saturday at 10 a.m. Funeral services were conducted Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Fort Gay Methodist Church with Rev. M. A. LaParl and Rev. K. G. Dillard officiating. Burial was in the Fort Gay Cemetery. The Vinson Lodge conducted graveside rites. Surviving in  addition to his parents are the widow, Mrs. Elaine Philpot Spears, to whom he was married 12 years; one daughter, Sandra Kay, at home; three sisters, Mrs. Charles Jackson, Cleveland, OH and Agnes Fern and Wanda Lee Spears, both at home; one brother, Ralph Spears, Cleveland, and the paternal grandmother, Mrs. Isadora Spears route 2, Fort Gay. Big Sandy News, September 24, 1953

STAFFORD, William Tecumseh

1864-1953

A boulder which rolled from a hillside 11 miles south of here at 3:45 p.m. Monday, crashed into an automobile taking the life of one man and causing injury  to three other persons. W. T. Stafford, 89, a Paintsville attorney, was killed and three others were seriously injured. worth injured was Mitchell Preston, 25, Troy, OH, who was visiting his in-laws, Mr. and Mrs. Adin T. See, here. He suffered severe chest injuries and internal damage. His condition is still serious according to reports from a Huntington hospital. Injured less seriously were Garred Goff See, 11, son of Mr. and Mrs. Adin See, and Stephen McGee, 11, Ashland, grandson of Sees. Stephen McGee, who received treatment at a local hospital following the accident was taken to an Ashland hospital. His injuries were a sever scalp laceration and concussion, but he was released from the hospital Tuesday evening. Preston, driver of the car, and Garred See were taken to St. Mary's Hospital in Huntington. See suffered a broken leg, a jaw injury and an arm laceration. Stafford, who suffered fatal injuries in the accident was a member of the bar in Paintsville. His death came as a result of severe head injuries. According to Lawrence County Coroner Byron Young, Stafford had been walking along State route 23 when he was offered a ride in the Preston car. Larry Workman, driver of an automobile which was following behind the Preston car, said it was a miracle that those injured were not more seriously injured or killed. The auto was demolished when struck by the falling boulder. The accident occurred in a place where the highway makes a deep cut into a hill. The body of Stafford was taken to the Young Funeral Home and later removed to the Paintsville Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, September 10, 1953

TOMPSON, Betty

Funeral services for Betty Tompson, 52, Fort Gay, route 1, were conducted Friday from the Fort Gay Methodist Church with the Rev. J. A. LaParl and Rev. Joe Marcum officiating. She had been ill for three weeks. Burial was in the Workman Cemetery, Louisa route 2, with Young Funeral Home handling the arrangements. Survivors, other than the husband, James H. Thompson, include one daughter, Mrs. J. C. Hatfield, route 1, Fort Gay, four sons, Clarence Tompson, Holden, WV, Raymond Tompson, Vernon Tompson and Albert Tompson, all of Wadsworth, OH, three sisters, Mrs. Estheral Ball, Mrs. Frank Hickey and Mrs. Ethel Dun, all of Wadsworth; two brothers, Cecil Maynard of Wadsworth and Marion Cox of Marion, OH and 5 grandchildren. Big Sandy News, September 17, 1953

TRIPLETT, Alex

1886-1953

Alex Triplett, 67, a farmer of the Meade's Branch section of route 1, Louisa, died Friday at 12:30 p.m. at his home. His death followed a brief illness. Mr. Triplett was born at Branchland, WV, August 27, 1886, a son of the late Atchinson and Alice Thornsberry Triplett. His widow is the former Marjorie Miller to whom he was married 37 years ago. He had been a resident of the Meade's Branch area for 35 years and was a member of the Freewill Baptist Church. The body was removed from the Curtright Funeral Home in Louisa to the residence at 4 p.m. Saturday. Funeral services were conducted Sunday at 2 p.m. at Meade's Branch school with Rev. Jay Preston and Rev. Arlie Blackburn officiating. Burial was made in the Miller Cemetery on Meade's Branch. Surviving, in addition to the widow are six daughters, Mrs. Earl Allen, McGuffey, OH, Mrs. Charles Lewis, Pataskala, OH, Mrs. Ed Dittmer, Cincinnati, OH, Mrs. Van Clark, Columbus, OH, Mrs. Kenneth Carter, Route 3 Louisa, and Miss Kathleen Triplett, at home; eight sons, Charlie, Alexander, Jr., and Ezra Triplett, all of Pataskala, OH, John Triplett, route 1, Louisa,  Raymond Triplett, Ridgeway, OH, and Randall Lee, Sammy W. and George Triplett, all at home; three brothers, John and Lee Triplett, both of Branchland, WV and Wilson Triplett, Salt Rock, WV and 21 grandchildren. Big Sandy News, September 24, 1953

VINSON, Fred Moore

1890-1953

Louisa residents, along with the remainder of the nation, are mourning the death of their favorite son this week as plans are being made to return the body of Chief Justice Fred M. Vinson here for funeral services Friday afternoon. Flags were lowered to half mast here Tuesday as soon as word got around of Chief Justice Vinson's death, and a wreath of mourning was place on the Monolith marking his birthplace near the old jail. Louisa's affable favorite son was stricken with a heart attack early Tuesday morning and death came a few minutes later. Word was received here about 5:30 by relatives, and shortly afterwards small groups were standing on the street corners mourning. After a brief funeral service in Washington, the body will be brought here for services Friday afternoon at the Louisa Methodist Church with Rev. Charles Perry officiating. Burial will be in the family plot in peaceful Pine Hill Cemetery which overlooks the whole of the valley where Chief Justice Vinson spent his days as a school boy and a youth, overlooking the homes of those who loved him most. Arrangements for the final services are under the care of Curtright Funeral Home.

From the obscurity of a little Kentucky mountain village where he was born, as he liked to tell it "in jail"--the family lived in the front part of the jail because his father was the jailer--Frederick Moore Vinson rose to Chief Justice of the United States. His elevation to that position at the age of 56 capped a distinguished public career that included service in all three branches of the government. He had served in Congress, as justice of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia and in several high executive posts including that of Secretary of the Treasury. It was while in Congress that his name began to gain national recognition. As chairman of the taxation subcommittee of the House Ways and Means Committee, he found himself in the center of tax controversies. He championed the 1936 revenue act with its undistributed profits tax provision.

As early as 1937 he was talking pay as you go taxation that finally was adopted in 1943. President Harry S. Truman selected this member of his cabinet for the high judicial office after pondering "long and faithfully" on the choice, and on June 24, 1946, the onetime prosecuting attorney became the "lucky 13th" Chief Justice, taking the oath on the south lawn of the White House. At that time there was a wrangle within the court that had just been brought into the open by a critical statement issued by Justice Robert H. Jackson about Justice Hugo L. Black. President Truman, who arranged the unusual ceremony in the midst of the judicial tension, hopefully applied the designation "lucky". He noted that his appointee became the 13th Chief Justice and declared that was "lucky for the United States and lucky for Mr. Vinson--at least I hope it is."

After naming the three branches of the government, the President said: "The Supreme Court is at the top of the judicial branch. All of us have the utmost respect for the courts of the country, and we know that the respect will be  enhanced when Mr. Vinson becomes Chief Justice actively on the bench."  The Bible used in the ceremony had been given to the Vinsons on their wedding day in 1923 by an old friend, who wrote on the fly-leaf: "To Mr. and Mrs. Fred M. Vinson--a chart and compass for the voyage."

Chief Justice D. Lawrence Groner of the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbus, who administered the oath of office to the Chief Justice of the United States, added these words to the original inscription: "As a result of which he had kept his rudder true."  Friendly and patient, with an easy manner, the Chief Justice came to the high court with a record of having calmed troubled waters elsewhere. "Things do better when you don't get hot and bothered," was one of his sayings and he closely adhered to it. In his first speech after his selection for the Supreme Court was announced, Mr. Vinson said that what Americans wanted, and the people everywhere wanted, were freedom, security and Peace. "That is what we mean when we say we want freedom."

It was eight years after his resignation from Congress, where he served several terms in the House of Representatives, until his appointment to the Chief Justiceship, and in that period he had held six other high offices. He quit Congress in 1938 to become an associate justice of the U. S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. The Supreme Court treated his opinions well. He prepared 24 that were appealed, and of those reviews were granted by the high court in only four, three of which were reversed and the other upheld. Reviews were refused in the other 20, leaving Justice Vinson the victor and his word final on the issues involved in these and in the other case that was upheld.

He also served as chief judge of the U. S. Emergency Court of Appeals, a tribunal set up in Washington under the Emergency Price Control Act to rule on appeals taken in Office of Price Administration cases. He was on that court from March 2, 1942 to May 28, 1943. On the latter date, President Franklin D. Roosevelt lifted him from the bench and named him Director of Economic Stabilization. This was a post of tremendous magnitude involving holding the line against rising prices so as to prevent inflation. This job---Vitally affecting as it did the economic life of every American--called for a man who could say "no" and the tall and rugged Vinson could. He built a reputation for resisting pressures. A congressional admirer once said of him: "Fred never walks around a fight--he always goes to the middle of it."

As Economic Stabilizer, he sometimes had to knock together the heads of labor and business but he managed to hold the respect of both. Early in 1945 he was nominated by President Roosevelt as Federal Loan Administrator Congress had refused, in approving Henry A. Wallace as Secretary of Commerce, to give Mr. Wallace the dual Commerce-Reconstruction Finance Corporation job that Jesse Jones had held. Without a word of debate and by a voice vote, the Senate confirmed Mr. Vinson's appointment to head the $40,000,000,000 R. F. C. and its allied agencies. Hardly had he gotten started with a study of his new powers when James F. Byrnes resigned as director of the Office of War Mobilization and Reconversion and Mr. Vinson was called to succeed him there. It fell to his lot in that office, upon the surrender of Germany, to lift the wartime midnight entertainment curfew and the ban on horse and dog racing.

His congressional and Judicial record and his direction of the Office of Economic Stabilization ant he cast operations of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation brought him strikingly to the attention of President Truman. One of Truman's early acts after he succeeded President Roosevelt was to offer Mr. Vinson the treasury secretaryship in succession to Henry Morgenthau, Jr. Few men in Congress enjoyed the popularity and confidence that Democrats and Republicans alike reposed in Mr. Vinson. Leaders of both political parties heaped praise on him when  he retired from the legislative branch of the government.

For all his loyalty to the New Deal and his devotion to President Roosevelt, Mr. Vinson displayed a streak of stubborn independence that stamped him as a man with a mind of his own. He opposed Mr. Roosevelt's economy bill and supported the soldier bonus bill which the President vetoed. He fought for subsidies and opposed sales taxes. He fought farm groups by insisting on ceiling prices on cattle and hogs, battled with the oil industry by refusing to raise ceiling prices and stood firm against a drive by labor unions to break the "little steel" formula and obtain wage increased during World War II.

Mr. Vinson was born January 22, 1890, at Louisa, where his father James Vinson, was a jailer. After his father's death, his mother took in boarders and sent young Vinson to a normal school in Eastern Kentucky from which he graduated in 1908. Mr. Vinson later went to Centre College, Danville, KY. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree there in 1909 and two years later was graduated in law. After receiving his law degree Mr. Vinson started to practice in his home town and in 1913 became city attorney of Louisa, a job he held for two years. He became Commonwealth's attorney for the 32nd judicial district, and in 1923, with the reluctant consent of his wife, who did not want him in politics, Mr. Vinson ran for and was elected to the House of Representatives at a special election. He remained in the House until his resignation in 1938, except for one two year period when many Democrats were left stranded as a result of the Hoover landslide of 1928.

Mrs. Vinson was the former Miss Roberta Dixon of Louisa. "I was serious as a judge when I was a young fellow, " once commented Mr. Vinson who was generally called "Judge" after his service on the federal appeals bench, "but when I got to be a judge, I wasn't so serious, thanks to Roberta Dixon." The Vinsons had two sons, Fred, Jr. and James Robert. In his youth he played shortstop and the story was told that a man once came up to him and inquired if he was the same Fred Vinson who played on a Kentucky team against a West Virginia nine some 40 years before. "I am," he replied "and we almost lost, thanks to you." "I'll bet you cant' remember what position I played, " the man said. "Oh, yes I remember very well," Vinson replied. "You were the umpire." Vinson played on his college team and later with the Lexington club in the semi-pro Blue Grass League. Big Sandy News, September 10, 1953

OCTOBER 1953

BALL, Jean

Funeral services for Jean Ball, three year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Ball of Louisa, route 4, who died Sunday morning at the home following a long illness, was conducted at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Newcomb Church by the Rev. Dave Hewlette. Burial followed in Harmon Cemetery. Surviving in addition to the parents are seven sisters, Mrs. Catherine Queen of Louisa route 4, Mrs. Jessie Vanover, and Marie, Della Mae, Ettie Ann, Audrey Fay, and Shirley Ann Ball at home and a brother, Junior Ball at home. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, October 29, 1953

BAUGH, Mary (Wilson)

1878-1953

Mrs. Mary Newsom Baugh, 75, of Zelda, KY, died Monday at 5:20 p.m. in a Louisa hospital. Her death followed an illness of 8 months. Mrs. Baugh was born in Lawrence County, KY September 14, 1878, a daughter of the late Henry and Selena Baugh Wilson. Her first husband, George Newsom, died in 1925, and she was married 26 years ago to Phillip Baugh. She was a member of the Holiness Church for 35 years. The body remained at the Curtright Funeral Home until the time of the services, which will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday (today) at the Sloan Cemetery at Fallsburg, KY, with the Rev. Ira Copley officiating. Burial will be in Sloan Cemetery. Surviving are the husband, Phillip Baugh; four daughters, Mrs. Bruce Atkins and Mrs. Thomas Baugh, both of Zelda, Mrs. Leonard Tucker, Yale, MI and Mrs. Floyd Rickman, Lubbock, TX; one son, Eaphie Newsom, route 1, Fort Gay, WV; a half sister, Mrs. Everett Cyrus, Saltpeter, WV; 21 grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Big Sandy News, October 22, 1953

DAVIS, Samuel B.

1911-1953

Samuel B. Davis, 42, a former Lawrence County resident died Tuesday of last week at 1 a.m. in Providence Hospital, Sandusky, OH, where he had been a patient for 16 days. He had been ill three weeks. Mr. Davis was born at Ulysses, KY, July 4, 1911, a son of Mrs. Nolda Charles Davis Edwards , Ulysses, KY, and the late Samuel Davis. He moved to Ohio 9 years ago and had made his home at route 1, Monroeville. His employment was with the Hinde and Daugh Paper Mill at Sandusky. He had been married for 18 years to the former Miss Ollie Thompson and had been a member of the Free Will Baptist church for 15 years. The body arrived at 7:32 a.m. last Thursday at the Curtright Funeral Home at Louisa and was removed at 11 a.m. to the home of his father in law, Matthew Thompson, at Lowmansville, KY. Funeral services were conducted Friday at 2 p.m. at the Walnut Grove Free Will Baptist Church with the Rev. Scott  Castle and the Rev. Bird Webb officiating. Burial was in the Ira Borders Cemetery at Ulysses. Surviving are the widow, Mrs. Ollie Davis;  two daughters, Mrs. Estill Bryant, Birmingham, OH and Miss Lillian Davis, at home; three sons, Clyde, Charlie and Richard Davis, all at home and Kenneth Young, a step son, route 2, Sandusky; the mother, Mrs. George Edwards, Ulysses, KY; four sisters, Mrs. Merle Castle, Lowmansville, Mrs. Lyss Patrick, Sandusky, OH, Mrs. Bud Webb, Ulysses and Mrs. Everett Lyons, Charley, KY; and one half brother, Ulysses Edwards, Jewel Valley, VA. Big Sandy News, October 22, 1953

DOBBINS, Jettie M.

1891-1953

Miss Jettie Dobbins, 59, of Gallup, KY, died at her home Sunday morning at 9 o’clock.  Funeral services were conducted Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at her home, by the Rev. S. B. Ball.  Burial followed in the family cemetery at Gallup. Miss Dobbins was a daughter of the late John and Elizabeth Preston Dobbins.  She is survived by one sister, Miss Gertrude Dobbins, at home, and two brothers, John L. Dobbins of Gallup, and Harper Dobbins of Louisa. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, October 22, 1953

GREEN, T. L.

1870-1953

1952. L. Green, 83, owner and operator of the Green Hotel at Webbville, KY since 1911, died in an Ashland hospital at noon Thursday. Mr. Green had suffered a broken hip- in a fall at his home Tuesday of last week. He was born January 24, 1870, near Webbville, a son of the late Isiah B. and Jane Davis Green. His wife, Mrs. Abbie Pennington Green, died in April of 1952. Surviving are one sister, Mrs. D. B. Abbott of Blytheville, AR and one brother, James M. Green of Van Lear, KY. Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Webbville Church by the Rev. J. C. Hager of Louisa. Burial was in the Webbville Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, October 8, 1953

HARDIN, Franklin

1876-1953

The Rev. Franklin Hardin, 77, of Portsmouth, OH, formerly of Louisa, a retired Baptist minister, died in a Louisa hospital at 9:25 p.m. Saturday. Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the First Baptist Church of Louisa by the Rev. Charles Gray, pastor and the Rev. Charles Perry, pastor of the Louisa Methodist Church. Burial was in the Pine Hill Cemetery. The body remained at the Curtright Funeral Home until time for the funeral. Rev. Hardin, a minister for 35 years, was pastor of the Louisa Baptist Church for five years and it was during his pastorate that the congregation built its present church. He retied from the active ministry 12 years ago. He was born at Roseville, WV, May 10, 1876, a son of Franklin and Eliza England Hardin. He lived in Louisa for 15 years before moving to Portsmouth 8 years ago to make his home with a daughter, Mrs. Lora McCoy. His wife, Cora Blanche Barnes Hardin, died in 1941. Surviving besides Mrs. McCoy are three other daughters, Mrs. Lawrence Prichard and Mrs. Russell Wheeler of Louisa, and Mrs. Lynn Holbrook of Kinston, NC; three sons, William F. Hardin of Petersburg, VA, F.P. Hardin of Whittier, CA and W. D. Hardin of Detroit, MI; one sister, Mrs. Emma Weaver of Belpre, OH; 2 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Big Sandy News, October 15, 1953

HAYES, George Booten

1885-1953

George Booten Hayes, 88, retired employee of the Ohio Fuel Gas Company and a brother of Claude Hayes, former district detective of Ashland, died at 6:45 p.m. Saturday at his home, 104 Main Street, Louisa, KY. Mr. Hayes, death followed an extended illness of the past three years. He was born March 11, 1885, at Lackey, KY, a son of the late Wilson and Rhoda Martin Hayes. He was employed as a well-driller and was a member of the Apperson Lodge No. 195, F & AM in Louisa. Surviving are his wife, True Roberts Hayes, to whom he was married in 1923, a sister, Mrs. Harry Creel of Louisa, and two brothers, Claude Hayes of Ashland, and Walter Sidney Hayes of Louisa. Funeral services were conducted Monday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Myrtle's Chapel in the Five Forks section of Lawrence County, with the Rev. A. J. Roberts officiating. Burial was in the Roberts Cemetery. The body remained at the Young Funeral Home until one hour before the services, when it was removed to the church. Big Sandy News, October 22, 1953

HAYES, John

1881-1953

John Hayes, 71, of Louisa, formerly a merchant, died Saturday night in a local hospital, shortly after suffering a heart attack at his home. Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the First Methodist Church by the Rev. Mr. Roberts and Rev. S. B. Ball. Burial was made in the Pine Hill Cemetery. For 15 years, Mr. Hayes was a pumper with the Standard Oil Co. He owned and operated a grocery store for 17 years. For the past seven years he has been a toll taker for the Louisa--Fort Gay Bridge Co. He was a former member of the Louisa City Council. Mr. Hayes had been a member of the First Methodist Church for 30 years. He was a native of Adams, KY and was a son of the late Lafayette and Corilda Berry Hayes. Surviving are the widow, Mrs. Fairy Holt Hayes, to whom he had been married for 44 years; a son, Kenneth Hayes of Louisa; two sisters, Mrs. Susie Cheek of Louisa, route 1, and Mrs. H. W. Hudson of Louisa, and a brother, Lee Hayes of Louisa. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, October 1, 1953

HOY, Anna (Hill)

1870-1953

Mrs. Anna Catherine Hoy, 83, a resident of Fort Gay, WV, for the past 38 years, died at 5:30 p.m. Thursday of last week in a Louisa hospital. Her husband, Samuel Martin Hoy, died in August of 1950. She was born January 12, 1870, at Wilkinsburg, PA a daughter of the late James and Catherine Cline Hill. Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Fort Gay Methodist Church by the Rev. H. A. LaParl. Burial was in the Bartram Cemetery at Fort Gay. Surviving are four daughters, Mrs. Mary Ashby and Mrs. Luther Wellman both of Fort Gay, Mrs. E. D. Thomas of Lexington, KY, and Mrs. Claude P. Lambert of route 1, Fort Gay, one son, James M. Hoy of Morganfield, KY; one sister, Mrs. J. H. Regar of Export, PA; 23 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, October 8, 1953

LYON, Eva (Vencill)

1884-1953

Mrs. Eva Vencill Lyon, 69, died at 11:35 a.m. Tuesday of last week in King's Daughters' Hospital, Ashland, two and one half hours after she suffered a stroke at her residence, 1626 Elliott Avenue. Mrs. Lyon was born July 12, 1884, in Elliott County, KY, a daughter of the late Charles W. and Nola Fannin Vencill. She was a member of the First Methodist Church of Frankfort, KY, the Morehead, KY chapter of Order of Eastern Star and the Medical Auxiliary of Frankfort. Her husband, Dr. A. M. Lyon, was retired three months ago after many years of service to Kentucky's mentally ill. A former superintendent of Central State Hospital, Lakeland, KY, he also served as superintendent of the Kentucky Feeble Minded Institute at Frankfort and Western State Hospital at Hopkinsville. He also held state posts as commissioner of welfare and director of hospitals and mental health. Dr. and Mrs. Lyon moved to Ashland last June 10, following his retirement. Surviving, in addition to the husband, are one daughter, Mrs. Paul A. Bryan of Ashland, one son, Dr. Wendell V. Lyon of Ashland; two brothers, Roy and Gus Vencill, both of Morehead, KY, three sisters, Mrs. Herbert Caudill and Mrs. Lester Kindell of Morehead and Mrs. John T. Click of Onargo, IL and six grandchildren. Mrs. Lyon came here 15 years ago with her family when her husband, Dr. Lyon, was associated with the Lawrence County Health Department. She was a  member of the Louisa Methodist Church during their residence here and was also active in civic organizations. Big Sandy News, October 1, 1953

MAYNARD, Charles C.

1884-1953

Funeral services for Charles C. Maynard, 69, of Kehoe, KY, who died Saturday of injuries when he was struck by his own automobile, were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Curtright Funeral Home. Burial was in Donithan Cemetery. The body was taken to the Curtright Funeral Home Monday from the Malone Funeral Home at Grayson. The accident occurred near Iron Hill, KY, where Mr. Maynard had gone to inspect some timber acreage which he owned. He was standing by a tree while a son was turning the car around. Through a mix-up in shifting gears, the son accidentally kit his father, pinning him against the tree. Mr. Maynard died en route to a Grayson hospital. The Carter County coroner ruled his death was accidental. Mr. Maynard was born February 7, 1884, at Louisa, a son of Colonel and Mary Branham Maynard. Surviving are three sons, Charles, Jr., Vincent and Leon, all at home; two half sisters, Mrs. G. T. Curry of Huntington and Mrs. G.K. Compton of St. Albans, WV and two half brothers, Luther C. and F. t. Chapman, both of Portsmouth, OH. Big Sandy News, October 29, 1953

MUNCY, Marsha Ann

1953-1953

Marsha Ann Muncy, 7 weeks old daughter of Riley and Verna Bowen Muncy of Job, Martin County, KY, died at 3:25 a.m. Monday in a local hospital. She had been ill five days prior to her death. The body was removed from the Young Funeral Home in Louisa to the residence at Job, Monday at 2 p.m. Funeral services were conducted Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the Bowen Cemetery at Job where burial was made. Surviving, in addition to the parents, are five sisters and two brothers, the paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Muncy of Job and the maternal grandfather, Charlie Bowen of Milo, KY. Big Sandy News, October 22, 1953

PRINCE, Lucinda (Clay)

1885-1953

Mrs. Lucinda Clay Prince, 68, died at 12:10 p.m. Saturday at her home on Griffith Creek, Louisa, route 2, after an illness of pneumonia. Funeral services were conducted Monday at 2 p.m. at the John Maynard Cemetery on Big Laurel by the Rev. W. S. Boggs. Mrs. Prince was born August 2, 1885, at Clifford, KY, a daughter of James and Emma Johnson Clay. Surviving are three sons, Frank and Roy Prince of Louisa, route 2, and James Prince of Dana, KY; two sisters, Mrs. John Maynard of Louisa route 2, and Mrs. Harry Hammons of Fort Gay, WV; and two brothers, William Clay of Clifford and Odd Clay of Dana. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Curtright Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, October 15, 1953

ROWE, James

1879-1953

James (Jim) Rowe, 73, retired farmer, of route 4, Louisa, died at his home at 12:30 a.m. Friday following an illness of the past six weeks. Mr. Rowe was born November 8, 1879, in Fort Gay, WV, a son of the late Giles and Jane Blankenship Rowe. He had been a resident of route 4, Louisa, since 1923. In 1923 he was married to Myrtle Brown who survives. Other survivors are a stepdaughter, Mrs. George Harizanoff of route 4, Louisa, a stepson, C. O. Boyd of Loraine, OH, two half-sisters, Mrs. Lucy Rowe of Fort Gay and Mrs. Mary Elam of Holley Hills, FL and a brother, Wade Rowe of Thurman, OH, and a half brother, Frank Rowe of Fort Gay. Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Only at Fort Gay with Rev. Felix Skaggs officiating. Burial was in the Rowe Cemetery above the colored school in Fort Gay. The body remained at the Curtright Funeral Home until 1 p.m. Sunday afternoon when it was taken to the church to lie in state one hour preceding the services. Big Sandy News, October 22, 1953

SALYER, Roy Lee

1889-1953

Roy Lee Salyer, 64, died at his home at Hannah, this county, Friday night at 11 p.m. after an illness of the past two weeks. He was born March 28, 1889, a son of the late Will and America Justice Salyer. He was united in marriage to Miss Perry Edwards forty years ago. He had been a member of the Enterprise Baptist Church for the past six years. Surviving are five daughters, Mrs. Asbury Cox of Catlettsburg, KY, Mrs. Sherman Justice, Columbus, OH, Mrs. Oscar Boggs, Hilliards, OH, Mrs. Leonard Clark, Alton, OH and Mrs. Walter Meadows, Mt. Clemons, MI; six sons, Willie, Raymond and Vernon Salyer, all of Columbus, OH and Kenneth, Harrison and Quentin Salyer all of Hannah, KY, and 18 grandchildren. Funeral services were conducted Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. in the Freewill Baptist Church at Hannah on Caines Creek, with Rev. Emory Ferguson and Rev. Willie Sparks officiating. Burial was made in the Edwards Cemetery at Hannah. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Curtright Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, October 1, 1953

SPARKS, Linda Lee

Linda Lee Sparks, 4 year old daughter of Norvell Sparks of Martha and the late Gretta Mae Certain Sparks, died October 11 in a West Virginia hospital following an illness of five days. She had been stricken with Polio. Upon the diagnosis of a Paintsville doctor, the child was rushed immediately to Morris Memorial Hospital, Milton, WV where she was place in an iron lung. She died 7 hours later. Surviving besides the father is a sister, Ivory Faye Sparks. Funeral services were held at the United Baptist Church at Blaine with Revs. J. T. Bailey, Lonza Gillium and Rufus Fannin officiating. Big Sandy News, October 29, 1953

SPENCER, Martha Jane (Moore)

1866-1953

Mrs. Martha Jane Moore Spencer, 87, died at 8:40 p.m. Monday at her home on route 1, Louisa, following an illness of two weeks. She was born June 9, 1866, at Adams, KY, a daughter of the late Wesley and Ledocio McKinster Moore, and had lived on route 1, near Charley, KY for the past 58 years. She had been a member of the Methodist Church for 61 years. Her husband, Davis Spencer, died in 1940. Surviving are one daughter, Miss Ella Spencer, at home; one son, the Rev. A. L. Spencer of Ashland; one sister, Mrs. W. S. Thompson of Hillsboro, OH and a granddaughter, Mrs. Denver Spencer Compton, who made her home with Mrs. Spencer. Fourteen other grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday (today) at the residence by the Rev. S. B. Ball. Burial will follow in the Spencer Cemetery at Charley, KY. The body was removed from the Curtright Funeral Home, to the residence at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. Big Sandy News, October 15, 1953

SPURLOCK, Emma Brooksie Lee

Emma Brooksie Lee Spurlock, age 1 year 10 months, daughter of Fred and Emma Dorothy Clay Spurlock, Louisa route 2, passed away Wednesday morning at 3 a.m. in a local hospital. Graveside services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday (today) at the Spurlock Cemetery with the Rev. Arch Thompson, officiating. Survivors, beside the parents, include two sisters, Louisa and Shirley Mae, and four brothers, James Patton, Fred Roger, Walter Wilbur and Ervin, at home. The grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. John Spurlock, Louisa, route 2 and Mr. and Mrs. William A. Clay, route 1, Webb, WV. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Curtright Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, October 1, 1953

STALEY, Ethel (Lycan)

1875-1953

Mrs. Ethel Lycan Staley, 78, of Route 2, Prichard, WV, died Friday at 7:30 a.m. in Memorial Hospital, Huntington, following an 8 weeks illness. She had been a patient at the hospital for five days. Mrs. Staley was born in Wayne County, WV, May 30, 1875, a daughter of the late Thomas and Vina Osborn Lycan. She was a member of the Gragston Baptist Church at Prichard. Her husband, James I. Staley, to whom she was married 60 years ago, is among her survivors. The body was removed from the Curtright Funeral Home to the residence, where funeral services were conducted at the Staley home Sunday at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Willard Lycan, Rev. Hayden and Rev. Spencer officiating. Burial was in the Newman Cemetery, route 2, Prichard. In addition to her husband, she is survived by 9 daughters, Mrs. Minard Murphy, Fayetteville, WV, Mrs. Avery Burris and Mrs. Robert Burris, both of Dayton, OH, Mrs. Lola Walker and Mrs. James Murray, both of Wadsworth, OH, Mrs. Phil Lovafl, Clarksville, GA, Mrs. Ross Adams, Rittman, OH, Mrs. Bill Harmon, Columbus, OH and Mrs. Glen Pack, route 2, Prichard, three sons, James H. Staley, Sidney, WV and Gallie and Freddie Staley, both of Kenova, WV. 38 grandchildren and 35 great grandchildren. Big Sandy News, October 22, 1953

THOMPSON, Oscar W.

1893-1953

Dr. O. W. Thompson, 60, leader in the year long campaign to canalize the Big Sandy River, and a prominent Pikeville dentist and civic leader, died Monday of injuries he received ten days before when a tractor overturned on him at his farm near Pikeville. Dr. Thompson was well-known in Louisa and his many friends and associates with whom he had so ardently worked for the improvement of his beloved Big Sandy Valley, are deeply grieved to hear of his passing. Big Sandy News, October 15, 1953

WEBB, Charlie

1900-1953

Charlie Webb, 53, a lifelong resident of Lawrence County, died suddenly Friday morning at 6 a.m. after suffering a heart attack at his home at Route 1, Webbville. Mr. Webb was born at route 1, Webbville, October 11, 1900, a son of Wiley B. Webb, who survives and the late Jane Wright Webb. He was a farmer most of his lifetime. The body was at the Young Funeral Home and was removed to the Brammer Gap Church at Webbville, Sunday at noon where it remained from 1 p.m. until the services which began at 2 p.m. Burial was in Holbrook Cemetery at route 1, Webbville, Surviving, in addition to his father, are four sisters, Mrs. Charlie Holbrook, route 1, Webbville, Mrs. Ed Dalton, Logan, WV, Mrs. Sam Tritt, Columbus, OH, and Mrs. Brady Perry, Huntington, WV and three brothers, Clarence Webb, Huntington, Jay Webb, Holden, WV and Henry Webb, Logan. Big Sandy News, October 15, 1953

WILLIAMS, Malissa (Evans)

1866-1953

Mrs. Malissa Evans Williams, 87, former Lawrence resident, died at 9 a.m. Saturday at the home of a daughter, Mrs. C. L. Morris of Lloyd, KY with whom she made her home for the last 10 years. Funeral services were conducted at the Christian Church in Blaine, KY, Monday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Hood Wallin of Keaton, KY officiating. Burial was in the Williams Cemetery. Mrs. Williams was preceded in death by her husband, Henry F. Williams, who died in 1940, and two children, Oscar Williams of Flat Gap, KY and Mrs. Alma Wright of Lucasville, OH. She was a member of the Enterprise Baptist Church at Flat Gap, KY for 40 years. Surviving are five daughters, Mrs. Morris, Mrs. Nora Osborne of Ashland, Mrs. W. M. Gambill of Abilene, TX, Mrs. Nola Skaggs of Martha, KY and Mrs. Blanch Miller of Rochester Mills, PA; two sons, Dr. Homer Williams of Daytona Beach, FL and Ottie Williams of Paintsville, KY; one brother, James Evans of Martha, KY, one sister, Mrs. Flora Fyffe, Hilliards, OH; 21 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Big Sandy News, October 22, 1953

WINCHELL, Walter Herston

Walter Herston Winchell, 6 year old son of Mrs. Alpha Mae Winchell Butcher of North Kenova, OH, died in St. Mary's Hospital, Huntington, at 5:30 p.m. Sunday following an illness of seven weeks. He died of leukemia. The child had been making his home with his paternal grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Winchell of route 1, Fort Gay. Funeral services were conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Spruce Lick Baptist Church on route 37 near Fort Gay. The Rev. Freelin Akers will officiate, assisted by the Rev. Walter Johnson and burial was in the Wellman Cemetery. Surviving are the mother, Mrs. Mat Butcher of North Kenova, OH, two half sisters, Bonnie Mae and Linda Sue Butcher of North Kenova; the grandparents and a great grandmother; Mrs. H. C. Winchell of Burdine, KY. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Curtright Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, October 1, 1953

NOVEMBER 1953

BURGESS, E. G.

1889-1953

E.G. Burgess, 63, died at 1:15 p.m. Tuesday at the home of a nephew, Tom Burgess of Georges Creek. Funeral services ill be conducted at 2 p.m. (today) Thursday at the nephew's home by the Rev. German Walters. Burial will be in the family cemetery on Georges Creek. Mr. Burgess, a farmer, was born at Georges Creek, December 21, 1889, a son of the late George T. and Angie Borders Burgess. He was a member of the Methodist Church. Survivors include one brother, George Burgess of Portsmouth, OH and seven nieces and six nephews. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, November 5, 1953

HESTON, Carl

1892-1953

Carl Heston, 61, a well-known Louisa businessman, passed away at his home, 311 Pike Street, Tuesday at 12:50 p.m. from a stroke he suffered about six hours before. He had been in ill health for the past year. Mr. Heston, born in Haverhill, OH, March 7, 1892, came to Louisa with his late parents, Thomas B. and Hattie Malone Heston, when he was one year old, and had resided here for the past 60 years. He and his wife, Mrs. Effie Wellman Heston, have owned and operated Effie's Restaurant for the past 19 years. The body was removed Wednesday from the Curtright Funeral Home to the residence at 5 p.m. Funeral services will be conducted Friday at 2 p.m. from the First Methodist Church with the pastor, Rev. A. J. Roberts and Rev. Robert Andrews, pastor of the First Christian Church, officiating. Interment will be made in Pine Hill Cemetery. He was a member of W. O. Johnson Post 89, American Legion, the Disabled American Veterans of Louisa, and the Forty and Eight of Ashland. The W. O. Johnson Post 89 and the D. A. V. will give graveside rites. Survivors include the widow, three sisters, Mrs. Effie Murray, Louisa, Mrs. C. P. Wingfield, Monroe, VA and Mrs. Dave Holley of Pt. Pleasant, WV; two brothers, Zeb and Creed Heston both of Louisa. Big Sandy News, November 5, 1953

JONES, Estill

1900-1953

Estill Jones, 53, a resident of Grayson, KY, died Saturday at noon at the Stovall Hospital in Grayson. He had been in failing health for the past two years. Mr. Jones was born in Lawrence County, KY August 15, 1900, a son of the late Ed Jones and Mrs. Laura Jones of Grayson. He was a member of the Methodist Church and had been employed as a miner. funeral services were conducted Monday at the Beckwith Memorial Methodist Church with the Rev. Marvin Hunnecutt officiating. Burial was in the Carter Cemetery at Lower Stinson. Surviving are the widow, Mrs. Nona Jones; his mother, Mrs. Laura Jones of Grayson; two sons, Johnny and Gary Jones at home; one daughter, Linda Jones, at home, one step daughter, Ruth Jones, at home; two sister, Mrs. Willie Waggoner, and Mrs. George Elliott, both of Grayson and one brother, Vanzel Jones of Grayson, Big Sandy News, November 26, 1953

JONES, Spencer L.

Spencer L. Jones, 58, died November 12 in a Cincinnati, OH hospital following a two year illness. He had been making his home in Cincinnati since moving from Louisa. Mr. Jones was born at Rock Hill, SC, a son of the late William and Fannie Sills Jones. He was a veteran of World War I. The body arrived here Monday at 7:30 a.m. at the Young Funeral Home. Funeral services were conducted Monday at 2 p.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. J. C. Hager officiating. Burial was in Wallace Cemetery where military graveside rites were conducted by W. O. Johnson Post 89, American Legion. Surviving are the widow, Mrs. Mamie Hickman Jones; one son, Spencer Vinson Jones of Cincinnati; two sisters, Mrs. Mamie Matney and Mrs. Eula Moore of Huntington and one brother, Elliott Jones of Louisa. Big Sandy News, November 19, 1953

KITTS, Harvey

1875-1953

Harvey Kitts, 78, was killed about 3:15 p.m. Monday on his Paddle Creek farm near Fort Gay, WV when he fell beneath a wagon loaded with fodder. C. E. Frazier, Justice of the Peace, acting coroner, said the finding of a jury reported that the death was caused by Kitts "falling off a wagon and a wagon wheel running over him." A neighbor said "she saw Kitts drive up to the farm gate, open it, drive the wagon through and close the gate. She said she saw him climb onto the wagon but did not see him fall." The horses pulled the wagon about 150 years to the house after the accident without a driver. A resident of Paddle Creek for the past 44 years, Mr. Kitts was born November 21, 1875, a son of the late James and Virginia Cyrus Kitts. He was married to Miss Cussie Robinson 60 years ago and was a member of the Baptist Church. Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Oak Grove Church by the Rev . Grant Raines. Burial was in the Kitts Cemetery on Paddle Creek. The body was removed from Curtright Funeral Home ot the home of a son, Luther Kitts, in Fort Gay. Surviving in addition to the widow are four daughters, Mrs. Lindsey Robinson of Fort Gay, Mrs. C. W. Hackworth of Coal Grove, OH, Mrs. John C. Webb of Mansfield, OH and Mrs. Ray Potter of Huntington, WV; eight sons, Luther, Arthur and Wayne Kitts, all of Fort Gay, John, Harvey and Hence Kitts, all of Mansfield, OH, Sidney Kitts of Genoa, WV and Chester Kitts, at home; and one sister, Mrs. Sam Robinson of Fort Gay; 46 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Big Sandy News, November 26, 1953

MARSHALL, William Thomas

1887-1953

Funeral services for William Thomas Marshall, 66, a former Terryville, KY resident who died Saturday in a Lexington, KY hospital were conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Old Paint Baptist Church in Morgan County, KY by the Rev. Norvell Vanover and the Rev. Robie Ferguson. Burial was in the H. B. Ferguson Cemetery. Mr. Marshall had been ill for about six weeks. He had been a Columbus, OH resident for six years, and had been employed by the Marble Cliff Granite Co. there. Before moving to Columbus, he had lived in Lawrence County, KY. He was born in Morgan County, July 9,1887, a son of the late George and Sarah Smith Marshall. Surviving are five daughters, Mrs. Tommy Vanover and Mrs. Hershell Keaton of Terryville, Mrs. Russell Hutchinson of Circleville, OH, Mrs. W. J. Sparks of Williamsport, OH, and Mrs. Bill Runyons of Columbus; and three sons, Ashley Marshall of Circleville, OH, Emory Marshall of Orient, OH and Roy Marshall of New Carlisle, OH; four brothers,  Milford Marshall of Chillicothe, OH, Son Davis Marshall of Louisville, KY, Myrdie Marshall of Circleville and Amos Marshall of Ashville, OH; seven sisters, Mrs. Hudson Keaton, Mrs. Gene Topping and Mrs. Roy Valentine of Circleville, OH, Mrs. Thomas Price of California, Mrs. Jim Roseberry of Bainbridge, OH, Mrs. John Hamilton of Red Bush, KY, and Mrs. Minnie Topping of Greenfield, OH and 28 grandchildren and one great grandchild. The body was taken to the home of Mrs. Tommy Vanover from the Curtright Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, November 5, 1953

MAY, Myrtle (Kitchen)

1892-1953

Mrs. Myrtle Kitchen May, 60, of Cherokee, KY died at 1 p.m. Thursday of last week in a Louisa hospital. She suffered a stroke last Wednesday. Funeral services were conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday at the residence with the Rev. Howard Colley of Hayside, VA officiating. Burial was in the family cemetery at Cherokee. Mrs. May was born December 19, 1892, a daughter of the late Enoch and Margaret Hensley Kitchen. Survivors include the husband, Albert May; one daughters, Mrs. Arden Grubb of Louisa; one son, Arville May of Cherokee; three sisters, Mrs. Nellie May and Mrs. Bessie Kazee of Cherokee and Mrs. Charles Elliott of Marysville, OH; three brothers, George Kitchen of West Jefferson, OH, Cecil Kitchen of Marysville and Ed Kitchen of Portsmouth, OH and two grandchildren. Funeral arrangement were under the direction of Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, November 19, 1953

MOORE, Onolda (Chapman)

1870-1953

Mrs. Onolda Moore, 83, died at 5:30 p.m. Sunday at the home of a daughter, Mrs. J. H. Preston of Georges Creek. She had suffered a stroke at 1 p.m. Sunday. Mrs. Moore was born February 19, 1870, in the Lick Creek section of Louisa, a daughter of the late John R. and Joanne Boothe Chapman. Following the death of her first husband, James W. Dixon, she was married to E. L. Moore, who was also preceded her in death. She was a member of the Free Will Baptist Church. Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday in bell's Chapel on Georges Creek by the Rev. Willie Moore and the Rev. J. C. Hager. Burial was in the Chapman Cemetery on Lick Creek. Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. A.J. Austin of Ulysses, KY, Mrs. Edgar Preston of Louisa, route 1, and Mrs. J. H. Preston of Georges Creek; four sons, Charlie M. Dixon of Printer, WV, South Dixon of Louisa, Dr. J. W. Dixon of Charleston, WV and E. K. Moore of Washington C.H., OH; two sister, Mrs. Cora Boothe and Mrs. Ida Moore, both of Wayne, WV; one brother, W. M. Chapman of Ashland; 26 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, November 5, 1953

PREECE, George Dewey

The neighboring town of Kermit, WV about 30 miles east of here, was the scene of a tragedy Saturday night when a twelve year old son shot and killed his father, George Dewey Preece. According to police, who reported the story, Mrs. Callie Preece, her son, Johnny, and her grandson had retired for the night when Preece came in and began beating her. The son picked up a .22 calibre rifle and shot his father twice, police said. The 53 years old Preece died within a few minutes of the shooting. Preece was a former president of the Mingo County Board of Education and a veteran of World War I, a Mason and Odd Fellow, and a Shriner. Big Sandy News, November 26, 1953

PRESTON, Melvin

1874-1953

Melvin Preston, 78, died at 1:20 a.m., Thursday, November 5, 1953 at his home at Richardson, KY., where he had lived all his life.  He had suffered a stroke one week ago. He was born December 3, 1874, at Richardson, a son of the late Hack and Lettie Pack Preston. His wife, Mrs. Lou Stacy Preston, died in 1934. A retired farmer, Mr. Preston was a member of the United Baptist Church. Funeral services were conducted at 10:30 a.m., Sunday at the home of his son, Scott Preston at Richardson, by the Rev. Leonard Walters and the Rev. Arthur Preece. Burial was in the Meade Cemetery at Nats Creek under the direction of Curtright Funeral Home. Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Claude Maynard, Elizaban, W. VA, four sons, Edgar Preston, Meally, Elza and Scott Preston, both of Richardson, and Parker Preston, Rock House, 16 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. Big Sandy News, November 12, 1953

SPEARS, Dana Lynn

1953-1953

Dana Lynn Spears, infant daughter of Willie Ray and Barbara Ruth Boys Spears of Fort Gay route 1, died Tuesday in a Louisa hospital. Graveside funeral services were conducted Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the Wellman Cemetery on Fort Gay route 1 by the Rev. Henry Lambert. Additional survivors include one sister, Freda Carol Spears at home; the paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Burgess Spears of Fort Gay, route 2 and the maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Ballard Boys of Fort Gay route 1. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, November 19, 1953

VANOVER, Edward

1927-1953

Edward Vanover, 26, of Whiting, IN, formerly of Terryville, KY this county, was killed Saturday in an automobile accident near Morocco, IN. Funeral services were conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the home of the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Dewey Vanover of Terryville, by the Rev. W. V. Smith, the Rev. Norvel Vanover and the Rev. Roby Ferguson. Burial was in the Vanover Cemetery. He was born February 23, 1927, at Terryville, and was employed by the American Maize Co. at Whiting. Mr. Vanover served in the Army in Korea and was discharged last July 6. Additional survivors include five sisters, Mrs. Robert Barnett and Miss Ruth Vanover of Hammond, IN, Mrs. Virgil Keaton of Columbus, OH, Mrs. John Reynolds of New Boston, OH and Mrs. Joe Canterbury of Chicago; two brothers, Emory and Henry Vanover of Terryville and the maternal grandmother, Mrs. Mary Kelly of Columbus, OH. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Curtright Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, November 5, 1953

WARD, Brenda Kay

1953-1953

Brenda Kay Ward, infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lonnie B. Ward, of Webbville, KY, died Wednesday, November 11, at 9:30 a.m. age two months and 25 days. In addition to her parents, survivors include two sisters, Evelyn Louise and Linda Lou Ward, one brother, James Marvin Ward and the maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. John Perkins, Webbville. Funeral services were conducted Friday, November 13 at the home of the parents, with the Rev. Jack Perry officiating. Interment was made in the Perkins Cemetery under the direction of the Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, November 26, 1953

WELLMAN, Lon

1895-1953

Lon Wellman, 58, of Ashland, a retired restaurant operator, died at 4:30 p.m. in King's Daughters' Hospital after suffering a heart attack at his home. Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday of last week at the John Steen Funeral Home by the Rev. J. S. Faulconer. Burial was in the Ashland Cemetery with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Ashland in charge of graveside rites. Mr. Wellman operated the restaurant at the Ashland YMCA for 20 years and later moved his business to the 2100 block on Winchester Avenue. He retired in 1951 and recently had been employed by the E. B. Lowman construction company. He was a member of the First Christian Church and a former past grand patriarch of the I.O.O.F. He was also a member of the Rebekah lodge, Poage Lodge No. 325 F & AM, and the International Union of Operating Engineers. He was born February 9, 1895, in Louisa, a son of the late Lindsey and Rose Diamond Wellman. Surviving are the widow, Mrs. Berniece Kimberly Wellman; one son, Jack R. Wellman of Ashland; one brother, Baz Wellman of North Lima, OH and one sister, Mrs. T. R. Hayes of Jackson, OH. Big Sandy News, November 5, 1953

WORKMAN, Alfred D.

1870-1953

Alfred D. Workman, 83, of Louisa route 2, died at 1:45 a.m. Monday at the home of a son, William Workman of Gallipolis Ferry, WV. Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Young Funeral Home in Louisa. Burial was in the Workman Cemetery on Louisa route 2. Mr. Workman, a retired farmer, was born November 23, 1870, a son of the late Steven and Celia Artrip Workman. He was a member of the Methodist Church. Additional survivors include one daughter, Mrs. Clarence Copley of Fort Gay route 2; three other sons, the Rev. Floyd Workman of Eureka, OH, Boyd  Workman of London, WV and Fred Workman of Cincinnati, OH; one sister, Mrs. Jennie Crawford of Fort Gay route 1, one brother, Jesse Workman of Louisa, route 2, and 38 grandchildren. Big Sandy News, November 5, 1953

YORK, David Edward

1934-1953

David Edward York, 19, died at the home, Louisa route 2 at 8 p.m. Saturday night following a year's illness. Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday at See Cemetery by the Rev. Mart Isaac, Jr. David Edward was born June 4, 1934 at Louisa route 2, a son of Mont and Cora Jane Roberts York. Surviving besides the parents are four sisters, Mrs. Cecil Bailey and Mrs. Richard Herald of Logan, WV and Mrs. Frank Sammons and Mrs. Harlan Sammons, of Columbus, OH, four brothers, Charles G. of Louisa, Earl of Ashland, Ralph of Stockton, CA and Clifford York of Tacoma, WA and the maternal grandmother, Mrs. Ida Roberts of Ashland. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, November 26, 1953

DECEMBER 1953

AKERS, William David

1878-1953

William David Akers, 75, of Fort Gay route 1, die at the home at 4:30 p.m. Saturday after a four month illness. Funeral services were conducted Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the Spruce Lick Church, Fort Gay route 1 with the Rev. Don Pemberton of Greenup, KY, officiating. Burial was made in the Bartram Cemetery. Mr. Akers was a farmer and a lifelong resident of the Fort Gay route 1 area. He was born March 28, 1878, a son of Noah and Mary Walker Akers. Surviving are the wife, Rebecca Frances Bartram Akers; five daughters, Mrs. Roy Hoosier of Portsmouth, OH, Mrs. Edith Skeens of Fort Gay, rout 1, Mrs. Edward Frazier of Patriot, OH, Mrs. John Wellman of Fort Gay, route 1, and Miss Leota Mae Akers at home; two sons, Arthur Akers of Prichard Route 2 and Lawrence Aker of Huntington, WV; six sisters, Mrs. Walter Mead of Prichard, WV, Mrs. Alice Wellman of Sciotoville, OH, Mrs. Clyde Billups, of Ceredo, WV, Mrs. Mary Lambert and Mrs. Clara Hoosier of Kenova, WV and Mrs. Myrtle Maynard of Portsmouth, OH; one brother, Noah Akers of Ceredo; 2 grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, December 17,1 953

CHILDERS, Pricie Ellen (Childers)

1880-1953

Mrs. Pricie Ellen Childers, 73, died at 12:55 p.m. Sunday at her home at Richardson, KY.  She had been ill for three months.  Mrs. Childers was born Sept. 2, 1880, at Georges Creek, KY, a daughter of the late Mose and Wilda Boyd Childers.  She was married to John Childers 52 years ago.  Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the New Mount Zion Church, Richardson, with the Rev. Arch Thompson officiating.  Burial was in the Preston Cemetery. Surviving are the husband, three sons, Ralph Childers of East Palestine, OH, Paul Childers of Ironton, OH, and Haskell Childers of Patrick, KY; two sisters, Mrs. Ballard Branham of Detroit, MI, and Mrs. Lora Gobel of Lancer, KY; and 14 grandchildren.  Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, December 17, 1953

COMBS, Mary Ellen (Hensley)

Mrs. Mary Ellen Combs, 85, passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Ed Scott, Louisa route 4, where she had resided for the past two months, at 7 a.m. Wednesday morning. Mrs. Combs, a former resident of Little Catt, route 4, Louisa, was a widow of the late Willis Combs, who died in 1917. She was a daughter of the late Millard and Miranda Mullins Hensley. She had been a member of the Methodist Church for the past 45 years. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday at 2 p.m. from the Baker Church, with Rev. Dave Hewlett and Rev. Fred Vanhorn officiating. Burial will follow in the Combs Cemetery, rout 4, on Little Catt. The body will be removed from the Curtright Funeral Home to the home of a son, Jay Combs, on Little Catt, route 4, probably Thursday afternoon. Survivors include five daughters, Mrs. Harve Evans, Mrs. Everett Johnson, Mrs. Nolan Scott, all of Huntington, Mrs. Roy Stead of Columbus, OH, Mrs. Ed Scott route 4, Louisa; four sons, Wesley Combs, of Kenova, WV, Oscar Combs of Catlettsburg, KY, Jay and John Combs of route 4, Louisa; one sister, Mrs. Richard Hall of Oak Hill, OH, and 27 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. Big Sandy News, December 31, 1953

COMPTON, Raymond K.

1900-1953

Raymond K. Compton, 63, chief chemist at Semet-Solvay Division of Allied Chemical & Dye Corp. Ashland, died at 3:13 a.m. Saturday at his home, 2412 Central Avenue following an extended illness. Funeral services were conducted at 1 p.m. Monday at the
Carman Funeral Home, Ashland, by the Rev. L. W. Benedict. Burial followed in the Buchanan Chapel Cemetery. Mr. Compton was born at Buchanan, KY, January 23, 1900, a son of the late Joseph and Florence K. Compton. A graduate of Louisa High School and Berea College, he was a teacher in the Boyd County schools before accepting employment as a chemist with E. I. duPont de Nemours Co., at Wurtland, KY. He was later made chief chemist at Semet-Solvay. Surviving are the widow Mrs. Mary Smallridge Compton; one daughter, Mrs. Edward L. Buchanan, of Ashland, one sister, Mrs. Marvin Cassady and one brother, Homer V. Compton, both of Ashland. Big Sandy News, December 10, 1953

CRABTREE, Roger Dale

1953-1953

Roger Dale Crabtree, infant son of Marcus and Bessie Britt Crabtree of Fort Gay, WV, died Shortly after birth at 6:25 a.m. Saturday in a local hospital. Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday at the home of the paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Russell Crabtree, Fort Gay with Rev. H. A. LaParl officiating. Burial was in the Fort Gay Cemetery. Additional survivors include the maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. Britt, route 1 Fort Gay; and two brothers, Larry Allen and Danny Lee Crabtree both at home. The body was removed from the Curtright Funeral Home to the residence of the paternal grandparents at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Big Sandy News, December 10, 1953

CURTIS, Noah Carl

1934-1953

Lee Skaggs, an elderly farmer of Terryville, KY who shot and fatally wounded a 20 year old neighbor, Noah Carl Curtis, who twice forced his way into his home Sunday night, was acquitted by a Coroner's jury here Monday afternoon. According to the story told to the Coroner's jury by Mr. Skaggs, he and his wife had retired for the evening when they heard a loud rap on the door, and while Mrs. Skaggs was trying to open the door, a young neighbor boy, Curtis, entered the house by crashing through the screen and window in an adjoining room and asked for change and then asked for a rifle. The couple recognized the youth was intoxicated, told him they didn't have a rifle and Mrs. Skaggs persuaded him to leave the house.

In a few minutes Curtis again entered the home and demanded a pistol,  and attacked Mr. Skaggs, who by that time had the pistol in his possession. Curtis said "look at that bullet hole in the wall," purporting to distract him, and then knocked the elderly Skaggs to the floor, in the scuffle he fired at Curtis from the floor. Six shots were actually fired at Curtis with one hitting his large belt buckle and one entering the tip of his dead, as he bent over, wounding him fatally. The other shots went wild. Skaggs was acquitted by the Coroner's jury on grounds of justifiable homicide.

Terryville, where the Skaggs live alone, is a small community 28 miles west of here. Funeral services were conducted for young Curtis at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the home of his mother, Mrs. Mattie Skaggs Curtis, Terryville, by the Rev. Norville Vanover. Interment was made in the Curtis Cemetery under the direction of Young Funeral Home. Survivors in addition to the mother are two sisters, Mrs. John King of Flat Gap and Mrs. Rulie Gillliam of Mansfield, OH and two brothers, Jams Curtis of Columbus, OH and Harold Curtis at home. Big Sandy News, December 24, 1953

DANIELS, Lottie (Hicks)

1883-1953

Mrs. Lottie Daniels, age 70 passed away Wednesday morning at 5:30 at a local hospital after an illness of one year. Mrs. Daniels, a native of Sandy Hook, KY was born March 1, 1883, a daughter of the late Wesley and Sarah Boggs Hicks. She had resided at Glenwood, KY, prior to her death. She was a member of the Freewill Baptist Church and a widow of the late James Harvey Daniels, who preceded her in death April 25, 1953. Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. Manuel Fugate, route 1, Louisa, three sons, Joe Daniels of Glenwood, KY, John Daniels of Fort Gay, WV, and Ed Daniels of Louisa route 1, and six grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday at 1 p.m. from the Brammer Gap Church with the Rev. Jack Perry and the Rev. Fred Vanhorn officiating. Interment will be made in the Hammonds Cemetery at Dennis, KY. The body will remain at the Young Funeral Home until Friday when it will be taken to the home of a son, John Daniels at Fort Gay, WV. Big Sandy News, December 31, 1953

DIAMOND, Henry L.

Henry L. Diamond, 77, Lawrence County farmer, died at 5 a.m. Thursday of last week at the home of Ben Cook of Busseyville, KY after an illness of three months. He was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. James L. Diamond of Lawrence County. Surviving are a sister, Mrs. Jenny Nolan of Catlettsburg and a brother, John Diamond of Chattaroy, WV. Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Young Funeral Home by Rev. Gallie Isaac. Burial was in the Diamond Cemetery on Louisa route 2. Big Sandy News, December 3, 1953

EDWARDS, Susie Mae

A 14 year old boy, Walter Lowe, is in the county jail here held without bond and charged with the fatal shooting of his aunt, Susie Mae Edwards, also 14, on Friday, December 11, at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Arlie Edwards, about 12 miles south of Louisa, near Ulysses, KY. Sheriff V. L. Workman and his deputies, Jack Payne and Dock Adkins, who made the arrest, said the Low boy was a parolee from the Ohio Boy's Industrial School. Coroner L. Byron Young, who was called to investigate the case, said the boy had made his home with his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Edwards, the girl's parents, since his parole on a sentence for auto theft. Young quoted witnesses as saying the youth fired his grandfather's 12-gauge shotgun, which virtually decapitated the girl.

The Low youth was found five hours later at the home of Richard Salyer at Nippa, KY Johnson County. He confessed to the officers when arrested saying that when he pulled the trigger "momentarily I forgot I had loaded the gun" earlier in the day. Lowe said that he and a companion bought four shotgun shells at Charley, KY and later stole several tools from a neighbor and hid them near their home of the day of the shooting. Workman said the boy told him that he and his aunt had wrestled in the yard of their home when he criticized her choice of boy friends and that she said, ""You're afraid to shoot me." At the inquest of girl' slaying held in the County Judge Dan D. Ball's office on Saturday, December 12, the Lowe youth, when questioned by County Attorney Edwin Rice, and Coroner Young, told a coroner's jury of six men, he didn't mean to do it--he said it was accidental, and that he had lied to the officers in the previous story told them when he was arrested.

Arlie Edwards, Lowe's grandfather and Susie Mae's father, L. B. Charles, 16, her suitor, and Lower, were witnesses. Jealousy, said Edwards, was the motive for the slaying. He said young Charles "had been courtin' Susie Mae. Walter was jealous. He was trying to court her too."  "Susie Mae had told her mother that Walter had been trying to beat the other boy's time." Edwards said. He said the two boys had wrestled and Susie Mae told Walter that George, her older brother, would get him. The shooting followed, said Edwards.

A dare, said Charles, caused the shooting.  "Susie Mae didn't want Walter and me to go hunting." he said, "and we argued." She turned to Walter and said, "I dare you to shoot me." He did. "Walter grabbed his stomach and said he didn't known the gun was loaded." It was all an accident, said young Lowe. He said he was going hunting and put the shotgun over his shoulder. It went off, he said and killed Susie Mae.

Mr. Edwards came to the door, said Lowe, and though Charles had shot the girl. The boy added: "He said, "No I didn't, Buddy (Lowe) did." She told me I'd better leave there or she'd kill me. That's why I left." The youngster, who choked up once or twice during the testimony, said; "I didn't mead to kill her."  Coroner Young said the slain girl's mother, Mrs. Ella Mae Howard Edwards, was a sister of the late Lum Howard of Ulysses, whose widow, Mrs. Sarah Howard, 43, was shot to death last January 22, by a son, Robert Howard, 15.

Funeral services were conducted Sunday at 10 a.m. at the Walnut Grove Freewill Baptist Church with the Rev. Bird Webb officiating. Burial was in the family cemetery at Ulysses. Surviving are her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Arlie Edwards, three sisters, Mrs. Emerson Coon of Jackson, OH, (Identified as Lowe's mother); Mrs. Boyd Mullins of Louisville, KY, and Mrs. Joe Auxier of Defiance, OH and five brothers, Everett Edwards of Columbus, OH, Claude Edwards of Paintsville, KY, and James, Arlie, Jr. and Floyd Gene Edwards, all at home. Big Sandy News, December 17, 1953

EVANS, Mont

1900-1953

Mont Evans, 53, of Martha, KY, was found dead in bed at his home Thursday of last week. He had been in Huntington to the tobacco warehouse Wednesday. Funeral services were conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday at the residence by the Rev. Emory Ferguson and Rev. Bruce Daniels. Burial was made in the Evans Cemetery at Martha. Mr. Evans was a native of Martha and was born August 21, 1900, a son of James H. and the late Oda Bell Sagraves Evans. Survivors are his father, of Martha, his wife, Mrs. Mae Thomas Evans, two daughters, Mrs. Walter Hamilton of Galena, OH and Mrs. Bradley Patrick of Delaware, OH; three sons, Mont Evans, Jr., of Martha, Fred Evans of Columbus, OH and Donald Ray Evans of Galena; two sisters, Mrs. Ashley Sagraves of Flat Gap, KY and Mrs. Melvin Wright of Dayton, OH; two brothers, Con Evans of Springfield, IL and Ray Evans of Louisville, KY and 8 grandchildren. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, December 31, 1953

HARDIN, James

1953-1953

James Hardin, Jr., infant son of J. D. and Helen Brooks Hardin of Louisa, died at birth Thursday afternoon of last week in a Huntington hospital. Graveside funeral services were conducted at 2:30 p.m. Friday at the Hardin Cemetery, Louisa, route 1, by the Rev. James Frazier. The Curtright Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Surviving in addition to the parents are two half sisters, Betty Jo and Doris Jean Trimble, both at home; one half brother, Thomas Lee Trimble, at home; and the maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Brooks of Huntington, WV. Big Sandy News, December 17, 1953

HEWLETT, Linus

1891-1953

Linus Hewlett, 62, operator of the Hewlett Shoe Repair Shop in Louisa for the past 20 years, died Wednesday of last week at 10:20 p.m. at his home after suffering a heart attack. He was born March 17, 1891, in Putnam County, WV, a son of the late Rev. H. B. and Jennie Wells Hewlett. He was a veteran of World War I, a member of the W. O. Johnson Post 89 of the American Legion, and a member of the Louisa Methodist Church. Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Louisa Methodist Church by the Rev. J. C. Hager, the Rev. Charles Perry and the Rev. Dave Hewlett. Burial was in Pine Hill Cemetery. Surviving are two brothers, Horton D. Hewlett of Drift, KY and Richard Hewlett of Louisa and one aunt, Mrs. Susan Nesbitt of Lucasville, OH. The body remained at the Curtright Funeral Home and was taken to the church one hour before the funeral services. Big Sandy News, December 3, 1953

MEADE, Frank James

1905-1953

Frank James Meade, 48, of Wheelwright, KY, died at 6:15 a.m. Sunday following a heart attack. He was visiting his brother, Melvin, here over the Christmas holidays, arriving in Louisa three weeks ago. Mr. Meade, a miner, was employed with the Inland Steel Coal Co., at Wheelwright. He was born April 27, 1905 at Torchlight, KY, a son of the late Henry Harrison and Nancy Ellen McClure Meade. He was a member of the Holiness Church at Wheelwright. Funeral services will be conducted at Wheelwright at 10 a.m. Friday with the Rev. W. A. Huff of North Springs, WV officiating. The body will be returned to this county where interment will be made in the Wellman Cemetery near Walbridge, KY. Surviving are his wife, Alma Frazier Meade, whom he married 27 years ago; two daughters, Mrs. Edward Hamilton and Miss Betty Jean Meade, both of Columbus, OH, four sons, Pfc. Ray Meade, with the Marines at Barstow, CA, Bill Tom, Bobby and Ora Dean Meade, all at home; one sister, Mrs. John Fraley of Wayland, KY, and three brothers, Robert Lee and Melvin Meade, both of Louisa and Luther Meade of Gilbert, WV. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, December 31, 1953

PEERY, French

1886-1953

French Peery, 67, of Prichard, WV, retired N & W Railroad man, died suddenly Tuesday morning of this week at 9:45 a.m. while hunting with his son in law, W. T. Blake, and a neighbor, Albert Johnson, both of Prichard. His death was attributed to a heart attack from which he had been suffering for the past year. Mr. Peery was born April 15, 1886, in Wayne County, WV. He had resided at Prichard for the past 29 years. He was an employee of the N & W Railway Company for 33 years. He had been retired for the past six years. He was married to Miss Minnie Copley for 48 years and a son of the late Isaac and Elizabeth Sowers Peery. The body was removed from the Curtright Funeral Home, Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. from the Prichard Memorial Church, of which he had been a life-long member, with the Rev. Forrest Currey officiating. Interment will be made in the Lakin Cemetery on Hurricane Creek. Survivors, other than his wife, include three daughters, Mrs. Bert Gilkerson and Mrs. W. T. Blake of Prichard, WV and Mrs. W. B. Raines, wife of Rev. W. B. Raines, of Gallipolis Ferry, WV; two sons, William Peery of Prichard, and Elba Peery of River Rouge, MI; one sister, Mrs. Nannie Akers, Chesapeake, OH; one half sister, Mrs. George Wellman of Prichard; one brother, Harlan Peery, Rittman, OH; two half brothers, Freelan and Fred Peery, Prichard and ten grandchildren. Big Sandy News, December 10, 1953

ROBERTS, Nancy (Bailey)

1882-1953

Mrs. Nancy Roberts, 71, of Fort Gay, route 1, wife of the Rev. Neil J. Roberts, a retired Baptist Minister, died at 4:50 a.m. Monday in a local hospital after an illness of one month. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Thursday (today) at Panther, WV, by the Rev. Calvin Whitt. Burial will be in the Roberts Cemetery at Panther. Mrs. Roberts was born at Panther on November 17, 1882, a daughter of the late Arch and Rachel Lester Bailey and was a member of the Baptist Church. Survivors include the husband, five daughters, Mrs. Lon Farnes of Christiansburg, VA, Mrs. Thomas Justice of Welch, WV, Mrs. Herbert Justice of Iaeger, WV, Mrs. Orville Sereet of Panther and Mrs. Everett White of Bluefield; four sons, George M. Roberts of Fort Gay route 1, Garland Roberts of Christiansburg, Garnett Roberts of Iaeger and Archie Roberts of Bluefield; three sisters, Mrs. John Kennedy of Iaeger, Mrs. Carl McElfresh of Zanesville, OH and Mrs. Wallace Lester of Panther, five brothers, Adam and Elisha Bailey of Panther, Sam and Burbage Bailey of Grundy, VA and William Bailey of Logan, WV and 27 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. The body was taken to Panther at 9 a.m. Wednesday from the Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, December 17,1953

STRATTON, Emerson Edward

1869-1953

Emerson E. Stratton, 84, of Louisa, a retired farmer, died suddenly Sunday morning of a heart attack at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Clarence Dilley, with whom he made his home. Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Curtright Funeral Home with the Rev. J. C. Hager officiating. Burial followed in the Stratton Cemetery. Mr. Stratton retired four years ago. He formerly lived at Louisa, route 1. He had been a coal miner employee for more than 30 years. He was born August 29, 1869 at Louisa, route 1, a son of the late Burl and Nancy Jane Cox Stratton. His wife, Mrs. Lona Akers Stratton, died in 1950. He was a member of the Baptist Church. Surviving in addition to Mrs. Dilley are a second daughter, Miss Nancy Stratton of Mays Lick, KY; three sons, Albert Stratton of Louisa, route 2, Ray Stratton of West Liberty, KY, and John Stratton of Princeton, WV, a sister, Mrs. Emma Shannon of Norway, OH; two half sisters, Mrs. Hester New of Fort Gay, WV and Mrs. Goldie Bradshaw of Georgetown, OH, a half brother, Charles Stratton of Nicholasville, KY and 14 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Big Sandy News, December 24, 1953

SWETNAM, Belle (Gambill)

1868-1953

Mrs. Belle Gambill Swetnam age 85 years, died at 4:10 a.m. Wednesday, at the home of her brother, Hugh Gambill, Blaine, KY, after an illness of two months. Mrs. Swetnam was born at Blevins, KY, July 1868. She was a daughter of the late Edison and Matilda Boggs Gambill and the widow of the late Hamilton Swetnam. She was a lifelong member of the Christian Church and a member of the Order of the Easter Star Chapter 202, Blaine, KY. The body will lie in state one hour before the funeral which will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, January 2, at the Christian Church at Blaine, with the Rev. Herman Ross officiating. Interment will be in the Gambill Cemetery at Blaine. She is survived by one brother, Hugh Gambill of Blaine and 8 nieces and 10 nephews. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Young Funeral Home. Big Sandy News, December 31, 1953

TOWNSEND, Jimmy Carroll

1931-1953

Funeral services for Jimmy Carroll Townsend, 22, who died December 1 at Phoenix, AZ, where he had resided for the past three years, were conducted at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Savage Memorial Church, Fallsburg, by the Rev. J. C. Hager and the Rev. Dave Hewlett. Burial was in the Savage Cemetery. The body arrived at the Curtright Funeral Home Sunday and was taken to the church at 10 a.m. Monday. Mr. Townsend, formerly of Fallsburg, died after a three year illness. He was a son of Richard and Grace Jordan Townsend of Phoenix, and was born at Fallsburg, March 15, 1931. Surviving besides his parents are one sister, Mrs. Grover Dildine of Dawson Springs, KY; two brothers, Richard and Robert Townsend of Phoenix and the paternal grandfather, James Townsend of Columbus, OH. Big Sandy News, December 10, 1953

WELLMAN, Woodrow Wilson

1912-1953

Woodrow Wilson Wellman, 41, of Zelda, KY, died suddenly at 8:45 a.m. Wednesday of last week while at work on route 4, Louisa, clearing a right of way for the Asplundh Tree Expert Co. He was a World War II veteran. Mr. Wellman was born September 5, 1912, at Fort Gay, WV, a son of Mrs. Montie Harris Wellman Coats of Huntington and the late Mont Wellman. Surviving are his mother, his wife, Opal Frazier Wellman, four sisters, Mrs. Bud Diamond of Kenova, WV, Mrs. Asa Hodges of Worthington, WV, Mrs. Brooks Whittman of Logan, WV, and Mrs. Jess Loper of Columbus, OH, and two brothers, Rufus Wellman of Kenova, WV and Charlie Wellman of Baltimore, MD. The body was taken from the Curtright Funeral Home here to the residence at 4 p.m. Thursday. Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Buchanan Chapel with Rev. Ira Copley officiating. Burial was in the Chapel Cemetery. Big Sandy News, December 24, 1953

WOODS, Henry Lee

1865-1953

Former Circuit Judge Henry Lee Woods, 88, died Friday at 2:55 p.m. at his home, 2236 Hilton Avenue, in Ashland after an illness of five weeks. He served two six year terms on the bench beginning in 1922 in the old Carter-Elliott-Morgan County judicial district. When the Legislature redistricted two years later, Judge Woods was transferred to the Boyd-Lawrence Circuit and moved his family from Olive Hill to Ashland in 1924. Born in Georgetown, OH, Woods, moved early in life to Grayson, KY and there became a telegrapher for the old Eastern Kentucky Railroad. He studied law at night, was admitted to the bar, and practiced at Grayson before moving to Olive Hill in 1908. He served as a United States commissioner for 20 years and was elected judge of the Carter-Elliott-Morgan Circuit in 1922. He was re-elected judge of the Boyd-Lawrence district in 1928 and served until January 1934. After leaving the bench, he practiced law in Ashland, and was active in Republican politics. Judge Woods was born October 30, 1865 at Georgetown, OH, a son of the late John and Emla Dugan Woods. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, the Boyd County Bar Association and the Kentucky Bar Association. He and his wife, the former Nora Roadcup, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary last February. Surviving are the widow, three sons, Frank D. Woods, at home, Henry Lee Woods, Jr., Middletown, OH and Jack T. Woods, Nashville, TN; two daughters, Mrs. Fred Hudgins and Mrs. E. P. Martin, both of Houston, TX and six grandchildren. Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday at the John Steen Funeral Home, Ashland, by the Rev. Samuel r. Curry, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church.  Burial was in the Rose Hill Burial Park, Ashland. Big Sandy News, December 3, 1953

YOUNG, Lonnie

1891-1953

Lonnie Young, 62, of Louisa, died at 4:15 p.m. Friday, in a Lexington hospital after an illness of six months. He was born September 6, 1891 at Flat Gap, a son of the late William W. and Rachel Emily Lemaster Young. The body was removed from the Curtright Funeral Home to the residence of a sister in law, Mrs. Ovoca Young, 103 Boone Street, at 3 p.m. Sunday. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Monday at the Myrtle's Chapel at Five Forks with the Rev. Gallie Isaac officiating. Burial was in the Adkins Cemetery. Surviving are six sisters, Mrs. Fred Burke, Louisville, Mrs. W. L. Carter of Prestonsburg, Mrs. Ealy Lemaster and Mrs. E. H. McKenzie, both of Volga, Mrs. C. L. Carter of Ashland and Mrs. Doc Atkins of Louisa, and two brothers, J. Henry Young of Lexington and W. E. Young of Ashland. Big Sandy News, December 24, 1953