Published: June 25, 2008 10:05 pm            

Thursday, June 26, 2008

James Henry Oliver - 1924-2008

James Henry Oliver went peacefully to join the Lord on June 23 surrounded by his family in King’s Daughters Medical Center in Ashland following an extended illness. Born in Ashland on July 25, 1924, he was the son of Ervin and Verna Riffe Oliver.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Ervin Jr., Kenneth and Harold; two sisters, Martha Hurst and Margaret O’Neal; a daughter, Jennifer; and a son-in-law, Thomas Claxon.

He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Clarice “Peggy” McLemore Oliver; two sisters, Lula Hale of Flatwoods and Mary Conley of Ashland; three sons, James Jr., Kenneth and Bobby (Johnda), all of Ashland; two daughters, Jacqueline Claxon of Raceland and Carolyn Graeves (Raymond) of Ashland; four grandchildren, John and Julie Claxon of Raceland, Thomas Claxon Jr. of Huntington, W.Va., and James Russell Oliver of Ashland; and one great-grandchild, Jenna Claxon of Raceland.

James was a member of the United Steelworkers 1865 and worked in the maintenance department at Armco’s Ashland Works for 44 years prior to retiring in 1986. He served his country with pride as a Staff Sergeant in the 77th infantry in the Pacific during World War II. James will be remembered as a big man with a big heart. He never met a person he did not like and never spoke an unkind word about anyone. A Christian who consulted the Bible on a daily basis, he was a devoted family man who loved his family, his Lord and his country.

Funeral service will be 1 p.m. today, June 26, 2008, at Lazear Funeral Home Chapel in Ashland with Chaplain Shane Cox officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Burial Park in Ashland.

Visitation will be one hour before the services today at the funeral home.

The family asks that he be remembered with a donation to a favorite charity in lieu of flowers.



Robert Pogue DeBenedictis - 1928-2008

Robert Pogue DeBenedictis, age 79, died May 23, 2008 in Granville, Ohio, where he resided.

Mr. DeBenedictis was born on Nov. 23, 1928, in Wheeling, W.Va. to Thomas Antonio and Mary Catherine Jones DeBenedictis, both of whom pre-deceased him.

He was also pre-deceased by his first wife, the former Mary Alice Phillips of Ashland. He was descended from William and Robert Pogue, early Kentucky pioneers and from Anna Amanda Jane Pogue Jones for whom the Amanda furnaces were named as well as Rhoda Melvin Jones Cranley and Robert William Jones, M.D., his maternal grandparents.

He was a member and office holder of Benjamin Franklin Chapter in Columbus, Ohio, Society of Sons of the American Revolution. He was a graduate of Holy Family School of Ashland, Ky., the University of Kentucky in Lexington and Marshall University in Huntington, W.Va., where he completed his master’s degree. While in Ashland, he was employed in Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital and at Russell High School, and Holy Family School. He retired from the Newark, Ohio, school system where he was a teacher and administrator. He co-founded and was active in the Licking County Players and held many offices with that group.

He is survived by his wife; four adopted children and their nine children, as well as two sisters, Roberta DeBenedictis and Antoinette DeBenedictis Newman (Carr Hundley Newman); a niece, Felicia A. Newman Andrecht (David F., deceased); a nephew, Lindsey Pogue Newman (Amy McVay); and a great-niece, Stella McVay Newman.

After cremation, he will be interred at Rose Hill Burial Park in Ashland.



Geraldine V. “Jerri” Sturgill - 1920-2008

Geraldine V. “Jerri” Sturgill of 1201 Stella Drive, Ashland, died Monday, June 23, 2008 in Kettering Medical Center in Dayton, Ohio, following a brief illness.

She was born Jan. 6, 1920, in Floyd County, Ky., and was a resident of Ashland for 65 years.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ishmael Sturgill; her sister, Katy Hall and her mother, Polly Hall.

She is survived by her daughter, Deborah (Dan) Dailey of Beavercreek, Ohio; her sister, Charlotte Gabbard of Worthington, Ky.; three grandchildren, Brent A. Burnette of Pikeville, Ky., Amy L. (Rodney) Bray of Monroe, Wash., and E. Ashley (Chad) Thurmond of Sorrento, Fla.; and six great-grandchildren, Britne and Dillon Burnette, Lauren and Kaitlyn Bray and Olivia and Elijah Thurmond.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Friday, June 27 at Steen Funeral Home-Marshall Steen Chapel in Ashland with the Rev. Edward J. Richardson officiating. Burial will follow in Golden Oaks Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive visitors on Friday from 11 a.m. until service time at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, friends may make contributions to Community Hospice, 1538 Central Ave., Ashland, KY 41101.

Online condolences may be made to www.steenfuneralhomes.com



Carrie D. Batten - 1977-2008

Carrie D. Batten, 30, of Burleson, Texas, formerly of Ashland, Ky., went to be with the Lord on Monday, June 23, 2008 in Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas.

Miss Batten was born Aug. 9, 1977, in Huntington, W.Va., a daughter of Shirley Hereford Batten of Burleson and the late David Batten.

She was a 1996 graduate of Paul G. Blazer High School.

In addition to her mother, she is survived by one brother, David Lee Batten of Burleson; one niece, Hannah Lynn Batten of Burleson; and one nephew, David Gregory Batten of Burleson.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, June 27, 2008 at the Evans Funeral Home in Raceland, Ky., by the Rev. James Daniels. Burial will be in Ashland Cemetery.

Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. tonight at the funeral home.



Carole Jean “Jeanie” Cundiff Williams - 1939-2008

Mrs. Carole Jean "Jeanie" Cundiff Williams, age 68, of Olive Hill, Ky., passed away Tuesday evening, June 24, 2008, in King’s Daughters Medical Center in Ashland, Ky., following an extended illness.

Mrs. Williams was born Oct. 30, 1939, in Olive Hill, and was the daughter of Louise Henderson Cundiff of Olive Hill and the late Otha "Hooks" Cundiff.

Jeanie was a Christian, loving wife, mother, daughter and friend to all who knew her. She attended Soldier (Ky.) Elementary School and graduated from Olive Hill High School in 1956 at age 16. She attended Morehead State University. She was a member of the Olive Hill Order of Eastern Star #290. She worked for several years in administrative positions in business and government offices in Kentucky and Ohio, including five years as a deputy court clerk. In November 1981, she opened Flowers by Jeanie at the intersection of Main and Cross streets in Olive Hill. Over the next 27 years, she and her mother built the shop into one of Olive Hill’s leading businesses. Together, Jeanie and Louise sought to give customers the best value for their money and the highest quality floral products available. All who entered the shop received a friendly greeting and warm hospitality. She supported local charitable organizations. She enjoyed spending time with family and close friends, often sharing coffee and laughter. She loved to travel and enjoyed trips to England and France, Greece and several Caribbean cruises.

In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by a brother, Alfred Wayne "Buddy" Cundiff.

In addition to her mother, she is survived by her husband of 44 years, Richard "Dick" Williams of Olive Hill, whom she married on June 20, 1964; one son and daughter-in-law, Rick and Heatherann Cundiff of Ocala, Fla.; two nephews and their wives, David and Diane Cundiff and Jonathan and Kim Cundiff of Olive Hill; four great-nephews; and many more loving family members and friends.

Funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 28, 2008, at the Globe Funeral Chapel in Olive Hill with Brother Martin Henderson officiating. Burial will follow in the Garvin Ridge Cemetery in Olive Hill.

Friends may call after 5 p.m. Friday, and until the service hour Saturday at the funeral home.

Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.



William Morrison Kennedy Sr. - 1925-2008

William Morrison Kennedy Sr., 82, died on June 24, 2008 in Three Rivers Medical Center in Louisa.

He was born in Louisa, Ky., on June 29, 1925. His parents were the late Gladys Land Kennedy and James Robert Kennedy. He was a retired teacher and an accountant. During the Korean War, he served with the Air Materials Command stationed at Wright Patterson Air Force Base and Kelly Air Force Base.

Mr. Kennedy was educated at Texas College of Mines and Metallurgy (UTEP) in El Paso, Texas, Morehead University and Harvard University. He was a member of the Harvard Club of Central and Eastern Kentucky. He was an Episcopalian.

Surviving are his wife, Helen Ernestine Kennedy; two sons, William Morrison Kennedy Jr. and his wife, Karen of Lexington, Ky., and John C. Kennedy of Louisa; a daughter, Elizabeth Land Kitts and her husband, Randy of Fort Gay, W.Va.; six grandchildren, Will Kennedy of Roanoke, Va., Lauren Kennedy of Lexington, Brandon Kitts of Louisa, Brian Kitts and Nicholas Kitts, both of Fort Gay, W.Va. and Erin Kennedy Posani of Richardson, Texas; and three great-grandchildren. Also surviving is a devoted sister, Martha Jane Downing of Lubbock, Texas.

A graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, June 27, at PineHill Cemetery in Louisa with the Rev. Frank Hackworth officiating.

Friends may call at the Young Funeral Home in Louisa from 6 to 9 p.m. tonight.



Nolan Parsons - 1942-2008

Nolan Parsons, 65, of Ashland, husband of Sue Hicks Parsons, died Wednesday in Community Hospice Care Center in Ashland.

Preston Family Funeral Home in Ashland is in charge of arrangements, which are pending.



Barbara Sexton

Barbara Sexton, 77, of Lexington, formerly of Ashland, died Wednesday in Hospice in Lexington.

A memorial service will be at noon Saturday at Centenary United Methodist Church in Ashland.

Friends may call from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday at the church.



Donald Jenkins - 1933-2008

Donald E. Jenkins, 75, of South Shore, died Tuesday at his residence.

He was born Jan. 17, 1933, in Portsmouth, Ohio.

His wife, Veronica Archangeli Jenkins, survives.

A graveside service will be at the convenience of the family at South Webster Cemetery in South Webster, Ohio, with military rites by James L. Flannery American Legion Post 276 of South Shore.

There is no visitation.

Roberson Funeral Home in South Shore is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 515 6th St., Portsmouth, Ohio.



Anna Boggs - 1938-2008

Anna Ruth Boggs, 70, of Blaine, died Tuesday at her residence.

She was born Feb. 25, 1938, in Paintsville.

Her husband, Clarence Boggs, survives.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Caines Creek Freewill Baptist Church. Burial will be in Griffith Cemetery in Blaine.

Friends may call after 5 p.m. today at the church.

Wilson Funeral Home in Louisa is in charge of arrangements.

Condolences may be made to www.timeformemory.com/wilson.



Iva Litton

Iva Jean Jenkins Johnson Litton, 67, of Sandy Hook, died Wednesday in Morehead.

Waddell & Whitt Funeral Home in Sandy Hook is in charge of arrangements, which are pending.

        

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