XI. Memoirs - Kentucky Conference

XI. Memoirs
Clergy
Clyde Babb
James Robert Bouser
J. Harold Coomer
Charles Elswick
William Julius Evans
Raymond W. Gibson
James Mullins
George Neel
Norman O’Neal
Robert Clifford Pugh
Donald Riggs
Gayle Daniel Williams
BISHOP PAUL A. DUFFEY
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JAMES ROBERT BOUSER
September 26, 1956-August 13, 2011
Clyde Bethel Babb
April 26, 1928-August 27, 2011
Dr. Clyde Bethel Babb was born to
Bethel and Ethel Babb on April 26,
1928, in Union County, Kentucky.
On June 6, 1949, Clyde married Fay
Denton. They celebrated 62 years of marriage. Together
they raised 3 children: one son, Calvin Babb, and two
daughters, Anna Albertson and Callie Carroll.
While attending the Cairo United Methodist Church,
Clyde heard God’s call, and in May 1960 he answered.
With Fay and his children, he embarked upon a
sometimes challenging, but always rewarding, life.
James Robert Bouser was born in
Louisville, Kentucky, to F.C. Bouser and
Ruth Benz Bouser on September 26,
1956. He attended Audubon Park UMC
as a boy. He was President of the Youth
Annual Conference during his senior year. During this time,
he felt the call of ministry. He was recruited by Kentucky
Wesleyan College because of his outstanding ACT scores.
He served as pastor of St. Petersburg UMC when he was
17. He also served in the following ministries while a
student at KWC: Koinonia, UMSF, and Student Ministerial
Association.
He graduated summa cum laude from KWC in three years
and attended Princeton Theological Seminary where he
received his Master of Divinity. He was Assistant to the
Minister at St. Matthews UMC. He met his wife, Colleen
Humphress, at KWC, and they were married in 1979 while
he was attending seminary.
He first earned a degree in business education, and then
in 1960 he returned to college. In 1963 he earned a
Bachelor of Arts from Kentucky Wesleyan.
His education did not end there. In 1966 he received
a Bachelor and a Master of Divinity from Vanderbilt
University. In 1968 he graduated with a Th.D from
the National Christian University. Because he enjoyed
learning, his family teased him and said he should have
been a professional student.
His first appointment was Smithland/McMurray Chapel
in Livingston County. After 2 years, McMurray Chapel
joined another charge, and Bob still had Smithland UMC
and founded the Ledbetter UMC. He also served the
following congregations: Jones Memorial UMC, Settle
Memorial UMC as Associate Minister, Hartford UMC,
Lebanon UMC, Eddyville/ Fairview UMC Charge, Bennett
Memorial UMC and Harned UMC. Former church
members have often remembered Bob because of a special
way he had visiting those in the hospital. He went on
disability in 2008.
As a pastor, Clyde served Smith Mills, Dixon, Robards/
Little Dixie, Marion, Preston Highway, Morganfield,
Lebanon, and Trinity United Methodist Churches.
He had a special place in his heart for children, and
it seemed there was always a little one tugging on the
side of his robe. He would always bend over and give
them his undivided attention. At the funeral home,
his compassion and caring for the sick and dying was
proclaimed again and again to his family. He cherished
all of God’s children, and it showed through his
ministry and his life.
Bob and his wife, Colleen, have two sons, Blake and Brian.
He loved traveling, hiking and photography. The last several
years he struggled with his illness and died on August 13,
2011. We miss him in so many ways.
In 1992 Clyde retired, and he and Fay moved to
Robards, Kentucky, where he enjoyed spoiling his
grandchildren. After several years of failing health and
a stroke, he heard Christ whisper, “Clyde, today you will
be with me in paradise.” On August 27, 2011, God’s
angels ushered him to that Heavenly Kingdom he
preached about for so many years.
God truly blessed us, with a husband, father,
grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-greatgrandfather who truly loved and was devoted to his
family. A man who heard God call and simply answered,
“Here I am, Lord.”
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Charles Robert Elswick
August 15, 1915-December 1, 2011
J. Harold Coomer
February 11, 1944-June 19, 2011
Charles Robert Elswick (affectionately
known as “Charlie Bob”) of Stone,
Kentucky died Thursday, December 1,
2011.
Rev. J. ( James) Harold Coomer was
born in Lexington, KY on February
11, 1944, along with his fraternal
twin, John Carroll Coomer. He
was the son of Rev. John L. and
Nancy Coomer. He is survived by his wife of 45 years,
Trudy Laughinghouse Coomer; children Eric Coomer
(Daphne) and Katrina Drew (Dr. Jonathan Drew);
brothers Kenneth (Linda), John Carroll ( Janice), and
Wayne Coomer; stepmother, Margie Coomer; and
two grandsons, Jackson Levi Coomer and Evan James
Coomer.
He was born on Winns Branch, Pike County, Kentucky,
August 15, 1915, a son of James B. and Minnie Stayten
Elswick.
He was a retired educator and a United Methodist minister.
His various positions as an educator were teacher in several
one- and two-teacher schools, head teacher in a threeroom school, sixth-grade teacher at the old Sharondale
Elementary School, teacher at Phelps High School,
teacher at the old Johns Creek High School, principal
of the old Johns Creek High School, principal of Phelps
High School, instructional supervisor, and director of pupil
transportation, all in the Pike County School System.
Even though he had a reputation for being late, Harold
was never late at demonstrating that his family and
faith were the most important things in his life. Harold
served several churches until his health required him to
take disability. Even after taking disability, he still made
himself available to assist people as best he could.
As he approached his impending death, he stated, “Well,
we’ve got alot of work to do”, and “God isn’t finished
with me yet.” Hebrews 11:4 states, “And by faith he
still speaks, even though he is dead.” The Celebration of
Rev. J. Harold Coomer, was held on June 24th after he
died on June 19, 2011, at Jefferstown UMC, affirming
that Harold does still speaks through the memories of
the people who knew him. At the Celebration, some
of Harold’s family and friends shared a wide variety of
thoughts about the impact he had on their lives in one
way or another.
A month ago before the Memorial Service at
Conference, their daughter, Katrina, graduated from
Princeton Seminary, thus showing the influence and
inspiration that her dad had upon her own life. He
would be so proud of both of their P.K.’s (Preacher Kids)
for being in Christian ministry.
While Harold could be very serious at times, he
exhibited humor throughout his life. He also had a way
of making the person he was speaking to or listening
to feel as if they were the most important person in the
world, and they were to him. He gave more thought
about others than to himself most of the time. Maybe
that’s why God isn’t through with him even now. He still
speaks volumes about his faith and yours.
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He served part-time pastorates in Pike, Floyd and Powell
County United Methodist Churches. After retiring from
the school system, he devoted his time to the clergy, serving
in turn as pastor of Prater Memorial Methodist Church,
Salyersville, Kentucky; associate pastor, City Methodist
Church, Gary, Indiana; associate pastor, Pikeville United
Methodist Church, Pikeville, Kentucky; pastor of Stone
United Methodist Church, Stone, Kentucky; and Martin/
Dwale Charge, Martin, Kentucky.
He was a graduate of Pikeville Junior College, Kentucky
Wesleyan College and George Peabody College for
Teachers (now Vanderbilt University’s College of
Education). He also attended the University of Kentucky
and Garrett Biblical Institute, Evanston, Illinois.
During his active years, he belonged to several professional
organizations and service clubs and served a term as
executive secretary-treasurer of the Eastern Kentucky
Education Association. He was a member of the Kentucky
Retired Teachers Association, the National Retired
Teachers Association, and a retired elder in the Kentucky
Conference of The United Methodist Church and a Free
and Accepted Mason.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Carlyle Vass
Elswick. He is survived by a son, Rudolph A. (Millicent)
Vass of Forest Hills, and a daughter, Kiki (Ernest) Bentley
of Stone; four grandchildren, Jason Vass, Alex Vass, Kiki C.
Bentley and Shane Bentley; and two great-grandchildren,
Jaiden Vass and Isaac Vass.
William J. Evans
April 20, 1934-August 24, 2011
Reverend William J. Evans was born
April 20, 1934 in Glasgow, Kentucky. He
was one of six children born to Grover
and Mary Evans. Reverend Evans was
lovingly known to all as “Brother Bill.”
some people read.” If true, I saw a loving, giving Christian
man, one that taught me to love your family with all your
heart and place nothing above your faith in Jesus Christ.
Reverend Evans’ earthly remains are entombed at Flat
Lick Cumberland Presbyterian Cemetery, Hopkinsville,
Kentucky.
Brother Bill began his public service to his country by
enlisting in both the Army and Air Force from 1953-1960.
His overseas appointments include Germany, Spain and
Africa. His primary assignments were those of airplane
maintenance and inspection.
Brother Bill led a lifelong endeavor to educate in areas of
Theology/Christian beliefs and Adult Vocational education.
His collegiate years began with fulfilling the Methodist
churches requirements at Candler School of Theology and
Emory University. Following that, Brother Bill obtained his
Bachelors of Science with special emphasis in Social Work
from Lindsey Wilson College and concluded his formal
education at Murray State University with a Master’s in
Education (20+hours over). His education served many,
not only as a shepherd to his many churches but also
as Carpentry Instructor for Princeton Area Vocational/
Technical School (eleven years).
Brother Bill and his wife Louise served over twenty-one
churches during his tenure with the Methodist Church. They
included Lake Barkley State Park Sunday morning service,
Grider, Marrowbone, Dutch Creek, Leslie, Linton, Bethel,
Tobacco Port, Oakland, Bethany, Rocksprings, Friendship,
Rockcastle, Herndon, Lafayette, Pee De, Bells Chapel,
Trenton, Tuddle Chapel, Mill Springs, Meadow Creek and
Alexander Chapel. In 1996 due to declining health, he took
a medical leave for five years, and then retired from both
preaching and public education.
Brother Bill met and married his wife, Louise Thomas, from
Glasgow, Kentucky. Their blessed marriage of fifty-two years
continues to serve as an example of dedication and endless
love and one built around a strong foundation of Jesus Christ
and his teachings. During their many years of marriage,
their family grew to include Teresa Evans Kidd and William
Grover Evans. Presently Brother Bill and Louise have four
grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Brother Bill’s funeral was one of both sadness and joy.
Personal testimonies were offered by many he touched during
his years serving the Lord, his family, friends, students and
those who he silently inspired. His memory lives on by the
life he led, his Christian faith and the family he temporarily
left on earth. It is often said, “You may be the only Bible
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Theological Seminary. He received an Honorary
Degree from Union College.
Raymond W. Gibson
April 10, 1928-December 13, 2011
Raymond W. Gibson loved God and
the United Methodist Church with
a passion. His life was dedicated to
making a difference in the lives of
others through his knowledge and understanding of God’s
words, through his preaching, teaching, and living what he
believed.
Dr. Gibson used his keen mind and leadership skills in
many areas of the United Methodist Church. He began
his ministry by being a lay leader of a Methodist youth
group and a scoutmaster in Wheelwright, Kentucky. He
accepted the call to ministry while serving as a delegate
to the Kentucky Conference after hearing the late Bishop
William Cannon preach the ordination sermon. After
entering the ministry he served the following pastorates:
1964-67 Assistant Pastor, First UMC, Tucker,
Georgia
1967-70 Pastor, Sunny Acres UMC, Covington, KY
1970-74 Pastor, Trinity UMC, Covington, KY
1974 -79 Campus Minister, Union College,
Barbourville, KY
1979-85 Pastor, Versailles UMC, Versailles, KY
1985-89 Executive Director, Council on Ministries
1989-92 Pastor, Trinity UMC, Maysville, KY
Dr. Gibson retired from active ministry in June of 1992,
but later served as chaplain at Hartland Hills Retirement
Center in Lexington, Kentucky and as an assistant
minister at Trinity Hill UMC in Lexington.
He mentored young ministers from Asbury College
and Lexington Theological Seminary and fostered new
ideas for ministry. Early in his lay ministry he helped
to establish Aldersgate Camp, which he continued
to support throughout his service to the Kentucky
Conference.
Additionally, Dr. Gibson served on many committees
where he was able to share his vision and implement ideas
to help further God’s kingdom. He served as trustee at
Union College and on the Board of Directors at Wesley
Village. He and his wife, Alice Jean, were delegates to two
World Methodist Conferences.
Many honors were bestowed upon Dr. Gibson for his
wealth of knowledge and preaching ability. In 1967 He
graduated Magma Cum Laude from Candler School of
Theology with his Bachelor of Divinity. He eventually
completed his Doctorate of Ministry at Lexington
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He maintained a disciplined approach throughout
his life to improving his knowledge of scripture.
Evidence of this was most often witnessed when he
was in the pulpit. He loved to preach and to share
his deep understanding of the love of God. His
sermons have been published in Together Magazine,
Pulpit Preaching, Pulpit Digest, and in a book
collection entitled Forever In Your Debt.
Ray loved a good joke and loved telling it even more.
He was a good friend to many. He was husband to
Alice Jean for 60 + years and father to Cynthia and
Valerie.
George Neel
June 28, 1939-August 2, 2011
James Enoch Mullins
April 11, 1941-February 24, 2011
Rev. George William Neel was
born June 28, 1939, in Owensboro,
Kentucky. He graduated from
Daviess County High School. He
also graduated from Kentucky
Wesleyan College (1975-1978). He was a part-time
pastor at Curdsville United Methodist Church
(1973-1975). When he accepted the call into full-time
ministry in 1975, he was appointed to Boling Chapel
UMC in Hancock County. He also served the No
Creek Circuit in Ohio County (1976-1978); Bethel,
Oakland, Linton, and Tobaccoport UMC in Trigg
County (1978-1985); Burkesville and Marrowbone
UMC in Cumberland County (1985-1986); Bethel
and Glenn’s Chapel UMC in Lyon County (19861992); Lewisburg and Epley UMC circuit in Logan
County (1992-1997); Masonville UMC in Daviess
County (1997-2001). He retired in 2001, and he
and his wife, Judy, moved to Sebring, Florida. After
having been retired for one year, he chose to take an
appointment at Zolfo Springs UMC and served there
from 2002 until he passed away on August 2, 2011.
He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Judy; four sons:
Jerry of Henderson, Kentucky; Rev. Steven Neel of
Louisville, Kentucky; Roger of Ottawa, Ohio; and
Arthur of Louisville, Kentucky. He also had several
grandchildren, three great-grandsons, three sisters, two
brothers, and several nieces and nephews.
Born: April 11, 1941, Richlands, Virginia
Died: February 24, 2011, Louisville, Kentucky
A man of many talents, James spent his first 20 years
as a law enforcement officer, 10 of those years in
the US Army as a Criminal Investigator during the
Vietnam Era. He earned his undergraduate degree
from Chaminade University of Honolulu. In 1984 his
lifelong dream of going to seminary came to fruition
with the help of a chaplain in the US Army who helped
him with his admissions to the Louisville Presbyterian
Seminary. His love of biblical studies was fostered there
by the United Methodist studies taught by Dr. Charles
Brockwell. He graduated from the Southern Baptist
Seminary in 1987 and received his first pastorate.
Churches he pastored during his service as a minister
are: Smithland-Ledbetter , Lebanon Junction, Cecilia
Circuit, Kuttawa-Glenns Chapel, Dawson Springs,
Irvington, and Mt. Tabor. A man of integrity, truth, and
love of God who gave his all for the salvation of lost
souls.
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Robert C. Pugh
March 15, 1924-December 17, 2011
Norman T. O’Neal, Sr.
May 27, 1918- December 11, 2011
Rev. Norman T. O’Neal, Sr., 93 of
Owensboro, passed away on Sunday,
December 11, 2011 at Owensboro
Medical Health System in hospice
care. He was born in Scottsville,
Kentucky to the late Joseph Wesley and Virgie L.
O’Neal on May 27, 1918.
Norman served in the U.S. Army Air Corp and in the
last Army Calvary Mule Supply Unit during World War
II.
He graduated from Petroleum High School in 1936 and
attended Western Kentucky University, earning an A.A.
degree from Lindsey Wilson College, graduated from
Kentucky Wesleyan College with a B.A. in 1952 and
graduated from Asbury Theological Seminary in 1953.
Norman served faithfully for 63 years as a pastor for
the United Methodist Church throughout the state of
Kentucky. He retired three times and finished at Reed
Kentucky Community Church. He continued to do
part time pastoral work until his recent illness. He was
a 50-year member of the Masons having most recently
a membership in the Stanley Lodge F & AM. Norman
was also a Kentucky Colonel and had been a member of
the Lion’s Club.
He was an active bowler in the Owensboro Ministers’
and Senior Bowling Leagues. He loved to fish, do
puzzles and read western novels.
Norman was preceded in death by a son, Donny J.
O’Neal, and five siblings. He is survived by his wife
of 73 years, Sylvia O’Neal; two sons, Norman T.
O’Neal, Jr. and his wife, Barbara, of Bowling Green,
Kentucky, and Joe “Joey” O’Neal of Owensboro/Bowling
Green, Kentucky; five grandchildren and four greatgrandchildren.
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Robert Pugh served in WWII in the
South Pacific from 1944-46. After
returning home he entered Asbury
College in Wilmore, Kentucky. He
graduated from Asbury in August of
1949 and Asbury Theological Seminary in 1957. While
attending college, he served under Rev. V. Hill and
preached in the Boone County Larger Parish and later was
appointed to Dry Ridge-Salem Charge as a student pastor.
In 1952, Robert was ordained a Deacon, joined the
Kentucky Conference on a trial basis, and was appointed
to Pine Grove Charge serving four churches. In 1954,
he was appointed to the Moreland Church in Moreland,
Kentucky. After being ordained an Elder and becoming a
full member of the Kentucky Conference in 1955, Robert
served the following churches from 1955 to 1989 when
he retired: Bloomfield Church, Florence First Church,
Pineville First Church, Sedden Memorial Church, Asbury
Church, Louisa Methodist Church and Alexandria UMC.
After retiring, Robert agreed to serve Big Bone Church
in Boone County for one year. In 1990 he became the
Minister of Visitation and Seniors Pastor at Florence
UMC where he and his wife started the Seniors group. He
served in this position for ten years and finally fully retired
in 2000. He had served churches in Kentucky for over fifty
years.
Other honors include earning his Doctor of Divinity,
becoming a Kentucky Colonel and receiving the Golden
Anniversary Award in June of 1999.
Robert was married to LaVerne, his wife, for almost
55 years. They had three sons, Michael, Malcolm and
Maurice. They had seven grandchildren and thirteen greatgrandchildren.
Robert was a man of God, a wonderful pastor and mentor,
faithful husband, dedicated father and friend. He was loved
and will be greatly missed.
Donald O. Riggs
February 25, 1938-June 8, 2011
Donald O. “Buck” Riggs, 73, went
home to be with Jesus on Wednesday,
June 8, 2011. He was born in Nicholas
County on February 25, 1938 to
Nellie and Osborne Riggs. He was a
member of the Nicholas County Ministerial Association,
Methodist Men and the Kentucky Annual Conference
of the United Methodist Church. He enjoyed working,
praying and sharing the Gospel with people in the many
churches he served during his life.
Donald served in the ministry for a total of 25 years.
His comment upon entering the ministry was that “he
would go wherever God and the DS sent him.” The first
congregations he served were the Garrison and Black
Oaks United Methodist Churches in Lewis County
from 1982 until 1985. Following this he served at several
churches including Bethel and Mount Pleasant United
Methodist Churches in Bath County, Sunshine and
Liberty United Methodist Churches in Greenup County.
Shortly after graduating from St. Paul University in
Kansas City, Missouri in 1987, he was sent to Bedford
United Methodist Church in Trimble County. From
there he was sent to Shelby United Methodist Church
in Pike County, where he served until he retired in 2003.
After a brief retirement Donald felt he needed to return
to preaching and working with a congregation. He served
at the Barterville United Methodist Church in Nicholas
County until 2006. He considered retiring once again,
but after learning of the need of a minister at Rose Hill
and Saltwell United Methodist Churches, he went there.
He remained in the ministry at these two congregations
until he went home to be with the Lord he loved and
served.
Donald is survived by his loving wife, Ann; his daughter,
Elaine (Ed) Ellington of London, Kentucky; and his son,
Roger (Bernice) Riggs of Carlisle. He was devoted Pappy
to Hance and Nicholas Ellington, Annie-Beth ( Joe)
Gross and Clinton (Megan) Riggs and a great-grandpappy to Hailey Jo Riggs.
A brother, Ronald Riggs, and two sisters, Jane Glass and
Jackie Barbee, preceded him in death.
Rev. Dr. Ray Throckmorton and Rev. Troy Miller
held services on June 11, 2011 at the Carlisle United
Methodist Church. Burial was in the Carlisle Cemetery.
Gayle Daniel (Danny )
Williams
January 23, 1938-April 4, 2012
Gayle Daniel (Danny) Williams
was born in Shelbyville, Kentucky
on January 23, 1938 to Stanley
and Kay Williams. Later he
had a sister, Vicki. He spent most of his formative
years in LaGrange, Kentucky and graduated from
Oldham County High School in 1956. He earned
his BA from Kentucky Wesleyan College (1962)
and his M Div from Methodist Theological School
in Ohio (1965). He served the following United
Methodist Churches: Bremen UMC in Kentucky
(1958-1961), Westerfield UMC in Ohio (19631965), Perryville UMC in Kentucky (1965-1968),
and St. Paul UMC in Frankfort, Kentucky (19681976). He was also interim pastor at Maceo Baptist
Church (1962) and youth pastor at Delaware
Presbyterian in Delaware, Ohio (1962-1963).
While serving St. Paul, he served as part-time
Campus Minister at Kentucky State University
and continued that work full time in 1976 until
he was placed on disability in 1998, touching the
lives of the young people from many walks of life
and from many nations. He successfully petitioned
the Kentucky Annual Conference for funds for a
Wesley Foundation building at KSU which was
completed in 1980. He retired in 2003.
Danny received several awards, including the
Charles W. Anderson award for work with young
people, the KSU Merit Service award, and an
award from the Kentucky Annual Conference for
his work with youth. At one time he served as the
Conference Disaster Relief Coordinator. In his
early years he was frequently on the staff of Youth
Institutes and sessions of Camp Aldersgate.
On July 23, 1960, Danny married Sarah Williams
at Settle Memorial UMC in Owensboro, Kentucky.
They have been blessed with three daughters, three
sons-in-law, and six grandchildren: Julie, Gary,
Amy and Douglas Davenport of Dayton, Ohio;
Kay, David, Laura, Lou, and Emily Brunning of
Fort Thomas, Kentucky; and Rebekah, Wesley, and
Caleb Olds of Cape Coral, Florida.
Danny was preceded in death by his parents, his
sister, a still-born grandson, Daniel Isaac Olds, and
his faithful Seeing-Eye dog, Emmett.
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Paul A. Duffey
December 13, 1920-March 18, 2012
Bishop Paul Andrews Duffey who served the
Louisville Area with great distinction from
1980 to 1988, died on Sunday, March 18,
2012, in Gainesville, Georgia. His funeral
was held at First United Methodist Church
in Montgomery, Alabama. The Clergy of the United Methodist
Church were named honorary pall bearers for the service.
Bishop Duffey and his wife, Louise, endeared themselves to
all of us in Kentucky and Red Bird. Bishop Duffey was one of
God’s humble servants leading Kentucky Methodism with keen
judgment and a gentle spirit. He was a man of good humor, a
quick wit and a deep affection for the pastors and laity under
his care. He watched over us in love, and we benefited from his
skilled leadership.
Bishop Duffey was born a twin on December 13, 1920 in
Brownsville, Tennessee. He moved with his parents when
he was eight years old to Alabama. He graduated from
Birmingham Southern College and Vanderbilt University. He
and Louise married in 1944 and were blessed with a son, Paul
Jr., and a daughter, Melanie. They served six appointments in
the Alabama-West Florida Conference. He was a member
of our Church Judicial Council while serving as District
Superintendent of the Montgomery District. He was elected
Bishop in 1980 and assigned to the Louisville Area. He was
highly regarded as an expert on church law and discipline. Even
in retirement, other bishops sought out his advice and wise
counsel. He also served as Secretary of The Council of Bishops.
Dr. Karl Stegall, who was a close friend and pastor to the
Duffeys in their retirement years, said, “One of my favorite
definitions of a saint is ‘One who makes it easier for others to
believe in God.’ Bishop Duffey was that kind of individual. He
made goodness contagious.”
We rejoice today that Bishop Duffey is at home with his Savior.
“The strife is over, the battle done;
The Victory of Life is won;
The song of triumph has begun:
Alleluia!”
Written by Bishop Lindsey Davis
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SPOUSES
Julia Biggs
Roxie Bow
Bettie Jean Denison
Mary Elisabeth Gardner
Donnie Lorene Gilliam
Margaret E. Orr
Deloris Pepoon
Alice Perkins
Edna Prentis
Virginia Ramsey
Esther Mae Russell
Emma Jean Sewell
Patricia Elaine Smith
Phoebe Webster
Evelyn Weir
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Julia Biggs
January 22, 1928-July 5, 2011
Roxie Bow
September 28, 1924-July 26, 2011
Julia “Judy” Lee (Lawson) Biggs,
age 83 of South Shore (Mt. Zion/
Frost), departed the infirmities of this
world to a place in heaven on July
5, 2011 in Hospice Care at SOMC
in Portsmouth, Ohio. She was preceded in death by her
husband Rev. Taylor L. “Bud” Biggs; parents Robert J.
Lawson and Beulah Fannin Lawson; a brother, Robert W.
(Marilyn Richards) Lawson; a sister, Helen (Harrison)
Vanbibber; and is survived by a loving and caring
brother, Raymond C. (Donna) Lawson of South Shore
(Mt. Zion/Frost). She leaves behind two sons, Philip T.
(Angela Cleary) Biggs and David L. (Mary Hammond)
Biggs; six grandchildren: Wendy (Robert) Riffe, Cindy
( John) Crissman, Julia “Julie” Collier, John (Barbara)
Biggs, Melanie (Scott) Smith, and Alison (Brandon)
Snyder; and 11 great-grandchildren.
Over the years “Judy” leaves behind dear friends and
loving sisters in faith in the communities of South Shore,
Liberty, Greenup, and Prestonsburg.
Julia was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, and had
served as a former Postal Clerk at South Shore. She was
an active member of South Shore First United Methodist
Church.
Julia was an independent person who loved living at
home on her farm and instilled independence and a love
of basic farm values in her children and grandchildren.
She was an avid reader and was an active member of
“Twelve Novel Women,” a local women’s book club. She
loved to cook and was a member of the South Shore
Homemakers. She enjoyed spending time with her
grandchildren, and she enjoyed family outings and trips
to the beach in North Carolina. One of her early joys was
flying solo from Raven Rock Airstrip when she was just
18. She loved to recall her ancestors and the stories of her
relationships with them as a child. That spirit was present
in the annual Lawson Family Reunion which she helped
to start.
Funeral services were held Saturday, July 9, 2011 at the
Morton Funeral Home Chapel in South Shore with
burial following in Mt. Zion Cemetery.
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Roxie Marie (Minton) Bow was born
near Mintonville, Kentucky, grew up
in Pulaski County, and passed away
in Somerset, Kentucky. She graduated
from Nancy High School in 1942 and
attended Lindsey Wilson Junior College, Union College, and
graduated from Kentucky Wesleyan College in 1949 with a
degree in history and sociology.
Roxie was married to Rev. Russell Bow (d. 2003) and
dedicated her life to being a Methodist pastor’s wife, assisting
him in his ministry at various churches in the Kentucky
Conference. She also enjoyed a long career in public
education, teaching countless first graders, mostly in the
Kentucky school system.
An avid UK basketball fan, Roxie also enjoyed reading,
gardening, sewing, canning, and trying new recipes to share.
But her favorite pastimes involved being with family. She
loved visiting with her children, her sisters and brother, and
her nieces and nephews and their children, many of whom
received a handmade toy when they were born. She kept up
with birthdays and anniversaries until she was no longer able,
due to failing health. Roxie enjoyed reminiscing about old
times with family members, and the gales of laughter elicited
by stories of the past were infectious.
Roxie’s deep and abiding Christian faith sustained her
throughout her life. She was known for her good nature and
sense of humor, which she retained even after her health kept
her from participating in many activities she had previously
enjoyed.
Preceded in death by her parents and four sisters, Roxie is
survived by her children, Michael (Susan) and Beverly; by
her sisters, Virginia Rexroat, Edna Minton, and Norma Jean
Johnson, and brother, Howard Minton; and by 24 nieces and
nephews. She is dearly missed by them all.
Bettie Jean Denison
May 4, 1932-January 24, 2012
Mary Elisabeth Gardner
October 3, 1924-November 8, 2011
Bettie Jean Peebles Denison, 79,
the widow of Rev. Oliver Marvin
Denison who died in 1995, joined
him at 6:43 p.m. Tuesday, January 24,
2012 at Regional Medical Center in
Madisonville of natural causes.
Funeral services were held Friday, January 27, 2012 at
Hopkinsville First United Methodist Church conducted
by Rev. Dr. Howard H. Willen and Rev. Paige Williams.
Services continued with Dr. Willen at Camp Ground
United Methodist Church in Hart County, the burial
site.
A native of Hart County, Kentucky, born May 4, 1932,
she was the daughter of the late Coy Cashmer and Cora
Mabel Hodges Peebles. She was a retired elementary
school teacher, having taught in Hart County, Logan
County, Russellville and Caldwell County public
schools. She was a member of Hopkinsville First United
Methodist Church.
Survivors include two sons: Marvin D. Denison and
his wife, Cathy, Hopkinsville, and Mark D. Denison of
Murray, Kentucky; one daughter, Marsha D. Woodall
and her husband, Chris, Madisonville; one stepdaughter,
Margie Templeman and her husband, Riley, Cave City,
two sisters: Norma Reynolds and Marilyn Hodges,
both of Louisville: seven grandchildren and four greatgrandchildren.
Bettie grew up in the Camp Ground Church where
her mother taught Sunday School and her father was
Sunday School Superintendent for over 25 years. In
the late 1940s the Templeman Brothers Quartet
needed a piano player who could read shape note
sheet music and transpose for their concerts and radio
program. While still in high school, she was hired and
it was there she met the love of her life. She graduated
valedictorian of Munfordville High School and later
continued her studies through a Master’s degree at
Western Kentucky University while raising her family
and beginning to move around the state as the wife of a
Methodist minister. This was familiar territory because
her grandfather, Rev. C.R. Hodges, was also a Methodist
minister in the Louisville Conference.
“For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth, Halleluiah!”
536
Mary Elizabeth “Mary Lib” Gardener was born October
3, 1924 to Joseph H. and Iva Mae Beeler. She later moved
near Leitchfield, KY, graduating from high school as
valedictorian at age 17. Mary Lib surrendered her life to
Christ at the age of nine and was His devout follower
for the rest of her life. She worked her way through
Asbury College and after graduation in 1947 taught at a
Methodist Women sponsored mission School in Laredo,
Texas. She had felt impressed to be a missionary until
she met Walter Gardner, the love of her life, and decided
she could fulfill her calling as his wife. They married
September 1, 1948, and she spent her life helping Walt
serve throughout the former Kentucky Conference.
She served in local and district offices of the United
Methodist church. God gave them two children, Jean
Gardner Bhavalkar and Dr. Stephen Gardner, and three
grandchildren. In 1984 Walt and Mary Lib retired and
joined the Trinity Hill United Methodist Church where
they were heavily involved in ministry. On May 21, 2004,
Walt departed from this life. After his passing Mary Lib
continued to serve the Lord in several ministries of the
church, including praying for every first-time visitor who
attended a worship service. Her first prayer was “Lord,
make me a righteous person that my prayers for them may
be effective.” James 5:16b
Donnie Lorene Gilliam
March 16, 1907-April 27, 2011
Mrs. S. Ray Gilliam was born Donnie
Lorene Blankenship on March 16,
1907. The Macon County, Tennessee
native was the widow of the Reverend
S. Ray Gilliam to whom she was
married from December 24, 1929 until his death February
5, 1988. She was a homemaker and a member of Faith
United Methodist Church in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
She was a 65-year member of the United Methodist
Women and a 20-year member of Springhill Homemakers
Club. She took great pride and joy in being at her
husband’s side during their years in the ministry. Being the
fabulous cook that she was, she could whip up a wonderful
meal at a moment’s notice and often did for the many
people that would stop by for a visit, a prayer, or some
kind words of encouragement. She was never happier
than when she was with her family, her only child, Annis
Combs; her three grandchildren; six great-grandchildren;
and one great-great-grandchild. Mrs. Gilliam died
on April 27, 2011 at The Village of Wesley Manor in
Louisville, Kentucky. She was loved by many and is missed
by all!
Margaret E. Orr
June 26, 1918-January 13, 2012
Deloris Pepoon
August 6, 1936-October 1, 2011
Margaret was born and grew up
in Jellico, TN, and married. After
becoming a young widow with four
children, Margaret moved to Memphis,
TN to work as a pediatric nurse at an
orphanage to keep her family together. She later worked
as a private duty nurse. During the 1960s, Margaret and
her second husband moved to Muenster, Texas, where
Margaret helped manage their ranch and organize many
successful fundraisers. Margaret published a book, The
Medders Story, during the 1970s and was once again
widowed.
A number of years later, she met and married James
Nathan Orr who became a minister with the United
Methodist Church. Margaret worked beside Pastor Orr for
over 20 years as he served churches in Benham, Lynch and
McCreary County, Kentucky. Rev. James Nathan Orr and
Margaret moved to Zapata, Texas in 2000 where Margaret
and Nathan served at their last church before Rev. Orr
went home to be with the Lord. Margaret was still serving our Lord faithfully her last few
years in Brookhaven Retirement Center in Brookville,
Ohio.
Margaret visited other residents daily, always with concern
for their care evident in how she responded to them. She
attended the worship services. The nursing and activity
staff all spoke highly of Margaret in how she cared for
them and gave them so much loving encouragement daily.
When one of the staff was having a difficult day, they often
sought Margaret out for a soft word, hand hold or hug.
The staff said she served them.
Margaret’s favorite Bible verse was the way she tried to
live. Philippians 4:4-6: “Rejoice in the Lord always; and
again I say, rejoice. Let your moderation (kindness) be
known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for
nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
537
Deloris Irene Snyder was born August
6, 1936. She grew up on a farm in
West Virginia and was the last child
(a twin) of twelve. She later married
Paul Pepoon and served alongside him
in ministry in Kentucky for over fifty years. She was a
wonderful mother to five children: Jeff, Dale, Laura, Seth,
and Hannah.
Deloris loved children and taught the children’s sermon
with her own wonderful bird illustrations. She directed
and helped with Christmas programs and many Vacation
Bible Schools. In her later years, she loved serving at
Ruggles Camp, especially at craft time.
With her beautiful soprano voice, she sang many specials
with Paul playing the piano. She was a friend to everyone
and visited with Paul in many homes, hospitals, and
nursing homes, bringing cheer, comfort, and prayer
to many people. Visiting missionaries and evangelists
frequented her dining room table, and whether it be onion
pie or her famous blackberry cobbler, or Japanese fruit pie,
she always brought some deliciously interesting dish to a
pot luck.
She was always sewing or painting or making something
new out of something old, and her creations won many,
many prizes at the county fairs. She worked as a CNA at
a nursing home, loved helping children learn to read at
Central Elementary School, and was a long-time member
of the Lewis County Homemakers. She was a hard
worker and a great encourager!
Deloris was a woman who loved God and others
cheerfully and faithfully. We miss her fun-loving jokes,
her pretty eyes, her welcoming smile and hugs, and her
joyful spirit! She knew that Jesus took away her sin, and
we know she is enjoying Him and all that He has for her
in heaven! We look forward to seeing her again.
Edna Prentis
November 15, 1915-March 7, 2012
Alice Hensley Perkins
January 13, 1911- July 2, 2011
Edna Zimmerman Prentis, 96, the
loving wife of Rev. Robert B. Prentis,
went to be with our Lord on March
7th, 2012. She attended Duke
University, where she met her husband.
She married Bob Prentis in 1934 and moved to the
Western Kentucky Conference area. They complimented
each other extremely well. She was active in working in
Bob’s ministry serving in the Kentucky cities of Bowling
Green, Columbia, Adairville, Russellville, Marion,
Lebanon and several churches in Louisville.
Alice Perkins, the daughter of
Noah and Hattye Hensley, was
born January 13, 1911 in Hart
County. She married Frank
Perkins April 20, 1927.
She is survived by children, Dalton (Margaret) and
Myra Powell (Hayward); daughter-in-law, Patsy;
grandchildren; great-grandchildren and a brother,
Everett Hensley; nieces; nephews; and care giver Ida
Stroop.
She loved working within the churches for the people
and their children, providing music and presentations.
She loved playing the organ, piano and showing her
talents in many church services. After retirement they
made their home in Welcome, North Carolina at her
home place and became active in the churches there. Her
love for God and family showed in her poetry and art
work. She was a member of the WSCS, Poets Society
and the Senior Country Store of Welcome.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank; a
son, Bobby; and a daughter, Martha.
Frank was licensed to preach in April of 1944 with
Alice’s help. He served the following churches: Custer
Circuit, McDaniels, Big Clifty, Yeargins, Rocky Hill,
Big Springs, Glasgow Circuit, and Clarkson Circuit.
Alice was remembered for starting several women’s
organizations. She is remembered as a minister’s wife
and for her delicious cooking and hospitality, but most
of all for her daily Christian example.
Following Bob’s death in 1992, she remained in the
home. In her later years, she worked as an artist, poet and
was in the process of writing a book about her life and
home town. She passed gently at the home place, where
she was born and married. She is survived by a daughter.
The following is one of her poems.
After retirement, Alice and Frank were members of
the Stephensburg United Methodist Church, where
they faithfully participated in its ministries until their
deaths.
Together With God
We work together, my God and I
I told him my dream. He Listened.
It looked impossible. He said “It is Possible”.
I started my journey. He directed my path.
The way became rough. He said, “Keep on”.
I got so very tired. He said, “Don’t Quit”.
The hills grew steeper. He said, “Keep Moving”.
Finally, I saw my goal. He said, “Finish the race”.
At last my dream came true. He said, “Rejoice!”
We did it together, My God and I.
Hallelujah! Amen
-Edna Zimmerman Prentis
Alice died July 2, 2011 at Kensington Manor in
Elizabethtown, Kentucky.
Funeral services were conducted at Winn Funeral
Home on July 7, 2011 by Rev. Donald Sexton with
personal comments by Lanissa and Britton Elmore.
Alice was laid to rest beside her husband in the Crosby
Cemetery.
Proverbs 31:30: Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain:
but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be
praised.
538
Esther Mae Russell
March 12, 1918-November 29, 2011
Virginia Ramsey
October 25, 1925-June 13, 2011
Virginia Ramsey, born October 25,
1925, and the widow of the late
Rev. Richard Ramsey, passed away
on June 13, 2011 at the age of 85 in
Campbellsville, Kentucky. She was
laid to rest with her husband near his childhood home in
Elkhorn, Kentucky. Her husband, the Rev. Richard Ramsey,
preceded her in death on November 22, 1999. Both had
moved back to Campbellsville after his retirement from
ministry. They are survived by 2 sons, Dr. Barry Ramsey of
Lexington and Mike Ramsey of Campbellsville, Kentucky.
Esther Mae Ferree Russell was born
March 12, 1918 in a Methodist
parsonage in Bonair, Iowa. She grew
up in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where
Park Avenue Methodist Church and
Red Rock Camp Meetings played a significant role in her
life. She attended John Fetcher College (now Vennard
College) in University Park, Iowa, where she met her
future husband, Arthur Russell. They were married
June 20, 1937 and served nine years as an Evangelical
pastor-and-wife team in rural Iowa churches, twenty
years (1946-1966) at Red Bird Mission (Evangelical
United Brethren) in southeast Kentucky, and eleven years
(1966-1977) in three central Kentucky United Methodist
Churches: Trinity UMC in Columbia, First UMC in
Tompkinsville, and Market Street UMC in Louisville.
Esther’s many talents included singing, playing and
teaching the piano and autoharp, painting, drawing,
writing and speaking at EUB Churches around the
country on behalf of Red Bird Mission. She wrote songs
and recorded two albums featuring her singing early
American hymns and accompanying herself on autoharp.
Art and Esther had fifteen very active retirement years
in the mountains near Greeneville, Tennessee, with a
unique ministry, including outreach to street people,
leading weekly services for the handicapped, helping in
prison ministry, leading spiritual growth retreats, making
and decorating clay pots (they were “claymates”) and
presenting inspiring programs including The Circuit Rider
and A Sermon in Clay, which is available on DVD. Their
last move was to Brooks-Howell Home in Asheville,
North Carolina in 1992 where they set up their pottery,
led weekly devotions and were active in Christ Church
(UMC) in Weaverville. After Arthur went to his heavenly
home in 2000, Esther began attending Asheville Bible
Church, which was within walking distance.
Surviving are son David Russell, daughters Margaret
Cleaver and Rebecca Cutshall, seven grandchildren and
ten great-grandchildren.
With all her heart, Esther said her lifetime scripture
verse is true. Psalm 37:4: “Delight thyself in the Lord
and He will give you the desires of your heart.” And she
would add, with a twinkle in her eyes, “Oh yes, and more
besides!”
539
Emma Jean Sewell
August 28, 1922- September 19, 2011
Emma Jean (Murphy) Sewell was
born on August 28, 1922 in Louisville,
Kentucky to Myrtle Nanny and John
Boyd Murphy. She was born in the
house she grew up in on Rowan Street in Louisville.
She was the youngest child and the only girl born to her
parents.
Being the youngest and the only girl, she was very special
to her mother. She and her mother were extremely close
and communicated everyday during her mother’s lifetime.
Her five brothers also looked after their little sister. She
was a child of the Great Depression and could tell many
stories of hard times during the 30’s. She also was fond
of telling of how during the 1937 flood family members
came to rescue her family by canoe and take them to dry
ground.
In 1941, while working as a summer photographer at
Fontaine Ferry Park, she met her husband Donald Sewell,
who had just been discharged from the Navy and was
working as an electrician at the Park. Don and Emma
became sweethearts and spent as much time together as
possible. They were married on September 19, 1942. Don
continued work as an electrician, and Emma became a
homemaker. In 1946 their first son, Donald Jr., was born
and was followed in 1949 by their second son, Timothy.
In the mid 1950’s Don and Emma joined the Old Wesley
Methodist Church. A new minister named Dr. Miller
Moss came to the church soon after, and he and Don
became fast friends.
Miller Moss became a kind of mentor to Don and
eventually Don felt the call to preach. He began to study
for the ministry while still raising his family, and after
a few years he was ordained as a Methodist minister. In
1958 a third son, Mark, was born. Before their retirement,
Don and Emma served Wesley Methodist Church,
Summit Methodist Church, Glendale Methodist Church,
Smith’s Chapel Methodist Church and Shelby Park
Methodist Church. Don retired from the church in 1983
and was able to spend 13 years with Emma before his
death in 1996. After Don passed away Emma joined the
St. Matthews United Methodist Church. Emma spent
the remaining years of her life enjoying her sons and their
families and spending time with her cousin and lifelong
best friend, Martha Stultz.
Emma’s health began to fail in 2010, and she developed
vascular dementia. In January 2011 Emma went to live
at Wesley Manor Retirement Center. It is significant to
540
note that Emma passed away at Wesley Manor one hour
and fifteen minutes into her 69th wedding anniversary
on September 19, 2011. She was preceded in death by
her parents; her husband, Don; her five brothers, Robert,
George, Ralph, John, and Edward Murphy; and her
granddaughter Julie Sewell.
She leaves to cherish her memory her sons Donald
Jr. (Dee Dee), Timothy (Susan), Mark ( Jeanette) of
Louisville; seven grandchildren, Timothy M. Sewell,
Joshua M. Sewell (Lori), Mark S. Sewell Jr., Holly N.
Sewell, Melissa P. Van Arsdale ( Jeff ), all of Louisville;
and Angela D. Peterson (David) of Chapel Hill, North
Carolina, and USN Lt Commander Christian M. Sewell
(Deborah) of Hollywood, Maryland, as well as seven
great-grandchildren. Also surviving are many special
nieces and nephews and her cousin Martha.
The funeral was held September 23, 2011 at Highlands
Funeral Home, and Emma was laid to rest beside Don in
Resthaven Memorial Park.
Patricia Elaine Smith
February 23, 1961- November 19, 2011
Phoebe Webster
September 8, 1927-September 11, 2011
Patricia Elaine Smith was born February
23, 1961 to Floyd and Pernie Goolsby of
Gamaliel, Kentucky. The fifth of seven
children, Trish was the first little girl
born to a family of older brothers. In her
early years, she learned to love drag racing with her father,
roughhousing with her brothers, and walking to church with
her new little sisters.
Spouse of Rev. Charles Webster
Thankfully, when she arrived at the Gamaliel UMC, she was
greeted by Rev. Norman O’Neal, who became a spiritual
example and friend to her. The congregation welcomed her
warmly and planted seeds of faith that would soon begin to
grow.
Evelyn Grace Lamb Weir, the daughter of
Rev. Benjamin Lamb and Naomi Deaton,
was born on May 8, 1914, in Calvert
City, Kentucky, and raised to believe
in the Methodist faith, following her
father’s ministries. Shortly after completing the 11th grade,
she began working at a manufacturing operation located in
Mayfield, Kentucky, where she and her sisters walked to work
five days a week for many years.
A bright student, Trish graduated from high school at the
top of her class and attended WKU where she eventually met
her future husband. She would soon join him in itinerant
ministry across western and central Kentucky. Trish was a
computer programmer by day, a mother and wife by night,
and an active member of children and youth ministries, and
UMW work as well. She volunteered at Camp Loucon,
helped raise two future Loucon staff members who later
became deans, and volunteered frequently in church nurseries
and Bible Schools across the state. She, along with her
husband, founded Kittawa Sprangs Ministries, which funds
children’s ministries across Kentucky.
A quiet person, Trish was slow to step into the spotlight, but
nurtured and encouraged many people behind the scenes.
She was a virtuous woman of character, loyal to her friends,
and patient with her enemies. Her quiet faithfulness was
apparent to all.
When she was first diagnosed with breast cancer, she
fought valiantly, while encouraging others who also faced
life-threatening issues of their own. Her cancer reoccurred
in 2011, and she continued working for one hospital while
taking chemo and radiation treatments from another.
When she was told that all treatments had failed and
nothing could spare her from a grim and painful future, Trish
took another courageous step of faith. On the morning of
November 18, 2011, she quietly asked God to rescue her.
Twenty-two hours later, she leapt into the arms of God. The
cancer has died, but Trish lives! Thanks be to God.
Evelyn Weir
May 8, 1914-January 24, 2012
While in her thirties, she met Rev. John Edwin Weir, Sr. at
a church revival in Mayfield. Their courtship steadily grew
and love consumed two people, who knew marriage was their
destiny. She accepted John’s proposal, and they married in
1949. Evelyn’s life as a minister’s wife now meant traveling
and moving from town to town, but she loved this man and
was ready to follow his lead. God had brought them together,
and they would continue his teachings as faith would be their
guide.
Later in the fall of 1950, Evelyn realized something different
about her body…she was with child. “Oh, I wanted a little
boy so much,” she said, “that’s all I could think about.”
For months she and John waited for their precious bundle
to arrive, and on February 26, 1951, Ted Andrew Weir
was born and so named after Reverend Ted Hightower.
Evelyn was 37-years old and welcoming the most beautiful
experience of her life…being a mother. Even though her
role as a homemaker and a mother consumed her days, still
she managed to reach out to others and lend a hand when
needed in the church. She was a child of God.
Evelyn’s unselfishness and persona touched so many lives,
as she could never eat without offering you part of what she
had or prepare you tasty morsels from her own cupboard,
welcoming you just as though you were Jesus Christ. She
appreciated all her guests; even the great Governor Happy
Chandler ate dinner from her finest china while she and John
resided in Louisville, Kentucky.
She collected and loved angels….the day arrived when her
fragile, worn body was traded for a new pair wings… heaven
now has a new angel.
541
B. ROLL OF THE HONORED DEAD
NAMES OF CLERGY AND SPOUSES OF CLERGY WHO HAVE DIED SINCE THE MERGER ON
AUGUST 19, 1996, OF THE FORMER KENTUCKY ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND THE FORMER
LOUISVILLE ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
NOTE: For a record of all “Honored Dead” from the two former conferences prior to their merger, see that chapter
in the respective 1996 Journals of the Kentucky Annual Conference and Louisville Annual Conference.
Clergy
Name
Entered Service
Robert Kasey Hulse
1938
Bobby Hendricks
1985
Ralph L. Lewis
1966
William F. Pettus
1928
Stoy Lee Geary
1961
Charles Clyde Walker
1939
Thomas A. Nankivell
1950
Leon Wesley
1963
Chester Deacon
1949
Willard Brown
1968
Joseph Humble
1955
Lee Ward
1952
Earl Edwards
1957
Allen A. Fredrick
Francis Randall Hill
1943
Carl McCubbin
1953
Philip A. McAfee
1934
J. Howard Ritchie
Carvil Scott
1958
Joe M. Alexander
1965
James A. Norsworthy
1950
J. Paul Shepherd
1941
Rickey Lynn Costelow
1993
Albert W. Sweazy
1938
Alvis W. Lee
1941
Earl Claude Roberts
1954
Thomas Clinton Morrison
1935
James Knifley
1973
Paul L. Keneipp
1952
Roscoe J. Tarter
1933
Ronald Joseph Masters
1952
J. A. Dickerson
W. Taft Thrasher
1943
Chester Lee Lafferty
1989
542
Died
6-2-96
9-9-96
9-10-96
12-30-96
1-14-97
1-15-97
3-24-97
5-5-97
5-31-97
8-11-97
9-8-97
9-11-97
9-21-97
10-6-97
12-4-97
1-22-98
1-25-98
2-5-98
2-11-98
2-25-98
3-5-98
4-25-98
5-9-98
6-16-98
6-26-98
7-9-98
9-1-98
9-3-98
9-10-98
10-5-98
10-16-98
12-8-98
2-9-99
2-17-99
Benjamin F. Sanford
William Dennis Strader
Avery Wheat
Jean Washer
Donald G. Mackie
Robert L. Graham
Allen L. Fraser
William Robert Wood
Richard Ramsey
Noble Copeland
Dudley L. Fish
Leonard E. Sumner
E. Arthur Russell
Walter W. Garriott
Wendell Overstreet
William Pearson
William H. Daniels
John P. Carr
Charles Webster
Oda S. Wright
Samuel C. Adkins
D. Lamar Mattingly
Edward E. Pickerill
G. Russell Ireland
Robert L. Anderson
William R. Price William W. Slider
Harry A. Pullen
Robert Shaver
Everett E. Hudson
Frank Jones
Joseph D. Claybourne
George Edward Hart, Jr.
Benjamin C. Hendren, Jr.
William E. Morris
Elby Ray Rich
Allan Kent Harman
Elza Morgan
Thomas Charles Fornash, Sr.
John C. Bassett
Benis G. Carnes
Monroe A. Lowe
James N. Orr
Deborah Sue Whitmer
James Thomas Fryman
1988 (trnsf)
1959
1952
1995
1988
1977
1941
1951
1944
1977
1950
1948
1968
1938
1966
1962
1977
1946
1960
1949
1973
1947
1955
1934
1937
1961
1939
1938
1937
1938
1952
1967
1949
1982
1944
1970
2000
1947
1951
1942
1947
1951
1991
1989
1951
2-22-99
5-8-99
5-13-99
8-16-99
9-24-99
10-30-99
11-14-99
11-22-99
12-9-99
2-2-00
3-11-00
3-20-00
4-9-00
6-7-00
6-19-00
7-8-00
8-18-00
9-13-00
10-9-00
11-23-00
11-28-00
12-19-00
12-20-00
1-14-01
2-6-01
4-6-01
4-16-01
5-26-01
6-13-01
7-30-01
11-12-01
11-15-01
1-8-02
1-16-02
1-19-02
2-15-02
2-24-02
3-30-02
4-20-02
5-17-02
6-6-02
10-17-02
11-6-02
11-9-02
543
Lawrence R. Buskirk
James Baldwin Stilz
Otis Melton
Lester Bow Carter
David Alther
Donald A. Payton
Leslie M. Myers
James True Harmon
Lewis Wilson Woodward
George Harold Hobbs, Sr.
William M. Rountree
Jerry A. Smith
Ralph A. Helm Russel L. Bow
Alfred C. Robbins Dale Dixon James S. Gwinn
John C. Kerce Gracie B. Moore Marietta Mansfield James N. Dill
Ralph G. Wesley
Eugene P. Gibson Malcolm Couch
Jacob Dye
Robert W. Gardner
Steadman Bagby
A. Carl Matter
William Hamlett
Paul McMurrin
Donald Herren
Boyd D. Wilson
Edward Brandeberry
Chandler E. Ford
Clarence Atherton
Valis Hill
Leonard Flener
L. Rodford McDonald
W. Frank Roberson
Jasper Harmon
Roger Kusche
Dorothy Shannon
Ted Shipp
James Thornbury Wells
Kenneth C. Halbrook
1948
1953
1952
1959
1961
1969
1954
1936
1941
1961
1965
1971
1962
1943
1962
1955 1938
1963
1962 1959 1952 1935
1949 1964 1966
1947
1930
1979
1969
1962
1947
1955
1947
1958
1982
1942
1960
1936
1901
1944
1949
1982
1980
1946
1948
544
11-13-02
11-26-02
12-11-02
1-10-03
1-21-03
1-23-03
1-29-03
2-27-03
3-2-03
3-8-03
5-26-03
7-24-03
8-17-03
10-2-03
10-5-03
11-4-03
11-17-03
11-26-03
12-5-03
12-22-03
2-3-04
4-3-04
4-16-04
5-2-04
5-16-04
5-21-04
5-26-04
5-28-04
5-31-04
11-15-04
12-4-04
12-17-04
12-18-04
12-24-04
1-14-05
1-22-05
2-24-05
3-19-05
3-27-05
4-9-05
4-26-05
8-21-05
9-18-05
10-23-05
4-15-06
Rual T. Perkins
Calvin H. Campbell
David A. Seamands
Walter T. Jones
Herbert Kittinger
James Kemp
Riley Guffey
Mildred Watson
Alvin J. Gilliam
Thomas A. Cooper
Adrian J. Roberts
Robert Ward Wilson
Jerry Lynn Whitley
Sherri A. Chapin
James H. Godsey
Albert C. Allen
Denton Powell Royster
Jonathan Davenport
John W. Gray
H. Daniel Armstrong James A. Lyle S. Reid Thompson Kermit Flener Robert Nelson William James Wayne A. Sparks Paul Royster
John L. Coomer Paul Stoneking Wilbur Morris
J. Howard Olds Calvin Coolidge Cornelius
Harold Tatman
James Robert Dunlop
Thomas Ben Sexton
John James Reilly
Doris Moreland Jones
Roy C. Hunt
Wallace E. Thomas
Bernard L. Allen
William Leslie Chapman
Thomas “T.D.” Everett, Jr.
Walter Thomas Applegate
Timothy S. Chamberlain
Mark Walz
1938
1950
1941
1943
1954
1977
1956
1961
1941
1967
1948
1985
1963
1995
1948
1935
1937
2006
1958 1967 1949 1944 1948 1984 1941 1966 1948
1932 1944 1955 1964 1952
1953
1977
1982
1984
1962
1954
1957
1959
1947
1941
1959
1953
1981
6-19-06
4-30-06
7-29-06
7-30-06
9-1-06
9-7-06
10-8-06
11-1-06
11-20-06
11-24-06
12-3-06
2-11-07
2-20-07
4-23-07
5-4-07
6-15-07
6-29-07
8-4-07
8-24-07
9-19-07
1-17-08
2-17-08
2-23-08
3-18-08
4-14-08
6-4-08
6-10-08
6-28-08
7-2-08
7-10-08
7-23-08
7-25-08
9-6-08
9-25-08
11-12-08
12-21-08
12-27-08
2-10-09
2-27-09
2-28-09
3-13-09
4-22-09
4-26-09
5-1-09
8-27-09
545
John Clinton Brinson
J. C. Thorpe
James Douglas Wilcoxson
Mahlon Miller
Hugh E. Delaney
Russell K. Taylor
James C. Bush
A. Wayne Lyle
John Smiley Collins
W. Arvil Allen
F. Bennett Hulse
Thomas O. Harrison
Raymond K. Brinegar
James Mullins
Donald Durham
Charles Music
Reathel Haven
Donald O. Riggs
J. Harold Coomer
George Neel
James Robert Bouser
William J. Evans
Clyde Bethel Babb
Charles Robert Elswick
Norman T. O’Neal
Raymond W. Gibson
Robert C. Pugh
Gayle Daniel Williams
1940
1964
1967
1948
1944
1952
1968
5-28-67
9-23-51
5-1-52
9-17-44
6-6-35
6-11-76
6-1-87
11-10-44
6-14-59
6-21-57
6-1-82
5-30-65
5-28-79
5-20-78
5-30-65
5-30-60
8-30-39
9-14-47
6-11-67
8-31-47
6-6-65
8-30-09
9-3-09
10-3-09
12-1909
1-31-10
2-6-10
4-14-10
6-14-10
7-6-10
9-15-10
11-29-10
12-13-10
1-21-11
2-24-11
3-12-11
3-12-11
3-15-11
6-8-11
6-19-11
8-2-11
8-13-11
8-24-11
8-27-11
12-1-11
12-11-11
12-13-11
12-17-11
4-4-12
Spouses of Clergy
Name
Rhubena Lawhorn
Allie Carr
Sarah Evelyn Mace Sweazy
Elizabeth Mills Patten
Mary Elizabeth Sharp
Jessie Beavin
James Leslie Watson
Eleanor Kerce
Maggie Young
Mary Lucille Nichols
Nelda H. Whitaker
Hattie F. Southern
Died
2-7-95
8-8-95
6-11-96
7-6-96
8-5-96
12-12-96
12-19-96
1-10-97
1-11-97
1-22-97
1-23-97
2-12-97
546
Henrietta Sledge
Hilda Harrod
Arenetta Clayborne
Virginia Johnson
Margaret Chandler
Helene S. Royster
Velma H. Owen
Catherine C. Maxfield
Ruby Shaver
Genie McPeak
Fern Smith
Eulalie Chandler Staples
Mary Kathern Parker
Prudie Harrell
Clarice Woodward
Marie Ford
Ann Krebs Sears
Hazel Kelley
Katherine Hunt
Mabel W. Gardner
Margaret LaFon
Martha Ferne C. Johnson
Zella Lee
Kathryn Shaver Weldon
Pearl Davis
Emma Toombs
Odelia Walker
Allibe Downs
Lucille Kays
Eva Jones
Wilma Harman
Ilene McCubbin
Emma Ruth Fryman
Helen Fossett
Eulalia Flener
Catherine Frederick
Daisy Greene
Ethel Scott
Rowena Norton
Nora Poore
Dimple Capps Short
Eula Mae Matthews
Gladys Scott
Margaret Jones
Dorothy Pauline Thrasher
3-5-97
3-22-97
5-2-97
5-12-97
6-12-97
7-21-97
8-21-97
9-19-97
10-20-97
10-27-97
12-22-97
1-15-98
2-4-98
2-7-98
2-23-98
3-21-98
7-19-98
8-20-98
9-3-98
10-7-98
12-18-98
3-6-99
3-19-99
4-2-99
4-9-99
5-10-99
7-9-99
7-24-99
8-1-99
8-20-99
8-20-99
9-16-99
11-28-99
12-7-99
1-25-00
1-31-00
2-9-00
3-10-00
5-19-00
7-23-00
7-28-00
8-22-00
8-26-00
9-10-00
9-14-00
547
Maranda Lacks
Beatrice Herron
Mary Denton
Elsie Earlywine
Glenna Hurt
Norma Tanner
Katherine Mitchell
Flora Morgan
Barbara M. Rankin
Irene C. Dorsey
Christine Vincent
Faustine Madison Calcia Lyle Dora Antle Ruth Milburn Maggie Kittinger Genevieve Baker Eugenia Hill Annie Walker Sallie Riddle
Margaret Hightower Mary Weddle Martha Adkins Thelma Lyle Mary Chenault Lora Bassett Wanda Ward Barnes
Elsie Ritchie
Opal Garriott
Cora Judd Gilmore
Clara Pickerill
Roberta Dillon Williams
Georgia Scott Wheat
Nellie Lucille Smith Williams
Beulah Mae Bradley Clay Plummer
Armedia Sneed Hamlett
Bobbie Johnson Culp
Cora Ann Whitley
Marguerite Buchanan
Thelma (Sally) Sights Callender
Nadine Skagges Pettus
Jessie Helm
Helen Bruton Melton
Mary Fulkerson Helen Young Crafton Williams
10-6-00
10-19-00
11-17-00
11-19-00
12-11-00
12-19-00
1-26-01
3-7-01
4-6-01
4-13-01
5-18-01
8-29-01
9-28-01
11-24-01
11-29-01
1-2-02
1-16-02
2-15-02
2-22-02
3-15-02
3-27-02
3-29-02
3-31-02
4-14-02
4-17-02
4-29-02
5-1-02
5-5-02
6-1-02
6-21-02
7-5-02
10-3-02
10-29-02
11-3-02
11-26-02
11-28-02
12-7-02
1-3-03
3-20-03
4-5-03
4-13-03
4-20-03
5-1-03
5-2-03
6-4-03
548
Jessie Hicks
Elsie Louise Dwyer Rogers
William Kendrick Ewing
Dorothy Mattingly Martha Kathyrn Pendleton Keeney
Evelyn Vanderpool
Annabelle Sims Rice
Mary Carlyle Vass Elswick
Mary Mills Helen Mildred Pomeroy Hilbun
Marie Whalen
Rosalie Shepherd
Dorothy Harrison
May Alther
Barbara Kniffen
Zenobia Totten
Helen Walker
Ozell Huffman
Kathryn Chandler Rose
Virginia Philpot
C. Lee Delaney
Sada Hart Tarter
Mildred Dye
Betty Steinmetz
Pauline McIntosh Graddy
Laverne May Pugh
Gladys Irene Karrick Norsworthy
Grace Bentley
Edith Anderson
Lucretia Helm
Miller Doris Ramsey Wood
Cornelia Williams Walker
Opal Frances Pullen
Sharon Snider
Sarah E. Upchurch
Dorothy Epley
Myra Knox
Elizabeth Bertrand
Melissa Mansfield
Betty Garnett
Bessie Yates
Martha Morris
Dorothy Bowling Patricia Johnson Jones Nina Coop
6-17-03
7-5-03
7-19-03
8-27-03
9-1-03
10-11-03
10-20-03
11-7-03
12-3-03
2-2-04
4-21-04
5-16-04
5-26-04
9-21-04
12-6-04
3-3-05
3-10-05
4-2-05
5-7-05
8-28-05
9-15-05
10-12-05
11-16-05
1-12-06
2-5-06
2-11-06
2-27-06
3-2-06
3-28-06
3-29-06
5-10-06
5-26-06
8-20-06
8-26-06
10-20-06
1-6-07
1-20-07
5-15-07
5-16-07
5-16-07
7-4-07
8-4-07
8-19-07
8-31-07
549
Lula Mae Jones Mary Woodward Rosalie Woodward Alyne McAfee Lillian Wiley Ann Smith Opal Nankivell Sally Vibbert Lottie Gardner Mamie Harris Ernest Ward Shannon
Emma Deacon
Marjorie Brookshire
Frances Carnes Allen
Estella M. Cooper
Carol Gilmore Smith
Anita R. Mynear
Dorothy Couch
Jean Slider
Carolyn Hulse
Mary Shirley Rich Margaret Baker
Thelma Reeves
Mary Jo Phillips
Mary Evelyn Cooper Hammonds
Beatrice Adams
Ella Mae Quinn Bottoms
Johanna Silvers Drewry
Thelma Lorine McGaha Morris
Ovalene A. Hale
Anna Mae Lyons
Ruby Haven
Hattie Alice Roberts
Effie Lovelace
Nadine Fraser
Francis Lucille Chilton Pearson
Allan Durand Stephens
Linda Voils Sullivan
Mitzi Jan Rowan
Marian Brackett Keneipp
Virginia Denise Mitchell Holmes
Donnie Lorene Gilliam
Virginia Ramsey
Alice Hensley Perkins
Julia Biggs
9-1-07
9-7-07
10-23-07
11-6-07
11-7-07
12-3-07
12-9-07
12-25-07
2-19-08
3-31-08
7-24-08
7-28-08
8-15-08
9-5-08
9-26-08
10-13-08
10-22-08
10-30-08
12-23-08
1-31-09
2-1-09
2-2-09
2-20-09
3-6-09
4-21-09
10-4-09
6-19-09
6-27-09
7-8-09
7-29-09
7-23-09
1-2-10
2-16-10
4-26-11
5-18-10
7-24-10
12-14-10
1-22-11
3-20-11
2-21-11
3-23-11
4-27-11
6-13-11
7-2-11
7-5-11
550
Roxie Bow
Phoebe Webster
Emma Jean Sewell
Deloris Pepoon
Mary Elizabeth Gardner
Patricia Elaine Smith
Esther Mae Russell
Margaret E. Orr
Bettie Jean Denison
Evelyn Weir
Edna Prentis
7-26-11
9-11-11
9-19-11
10-1-11
11-8-11
11-19-11
11-29-11
1-13-12
1-24-12
1-24-12
3-7-12
551