BALDRIDGE, Amanda
1947
 Amanda Baldridge, 77, died Friday afternoon, December 26, 1947 at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Leona Haney, of this city, Mrs. Baldridge had been ill for several years and had been confined to her bed for the past several months. Funeral services were held at the home of her daughter at 2:00 P.M., Sunday, December 28, by the Rev. Scott Castle and Rev. Walter Hooper.  Burial was in the Town Cemetery. PAINTSVILLE HERALD THURSDAY JANUARY 1, 1948

 
BLAIR, Hallack
1947
MINE ACCIDENT FATAL TO HALLACK BLAIR
Hallack Blair, 35, was killed instantly Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. in a fall of rock in the Johnson mine at the mouth of Teass Branch. Mr. Blair was crushed above the waist in the accident, and several men were required to remove the rock from the body. He is survived by his wife. Funeral services will be conducted Friday at 11 a.m. by Rev. Don Fraley at the home of the victim’s father, Alamander Blair on Big Twin Branch in the Jennies Creek section. Burial will be made in the family cemetery. PAINTSVILLE HERALD THURSDAY DEC 11, 1947

BLAIR, Julia
1947
Julia Blair, 69, wife of Joe Blair of Auxier, died Sunday afternoon, December 28, after an extended illness.    She is survived by her husband and one daughter, Mrs. Anna Robinson of Auxier. Mrs. Blair was an aunt of Kelly Rothwell of Stambaugh. Funeral   services were held at the Auxier church at 10:30 a. m.  Wednesday, by Rev. G. C. Honeycutt and burial was in the Auxier cemetery. Paintsville Herald Thursday 1-1-1948

 
BLANTON, Mrs. Orville (Stone)
1947
Mrs. Blanton And Infant Son Die In Ohio
Wife Of Orville Blanton Was Native of County
Mrs. Orville Blanton, 40, formerly of Oil Springs, died at Mt. Carmel Hospital in Columbus, Ohio on December 2, following the birth of a son, Stephen Russell.  The infant died of a brain hemorrhage apparently suffered during delivery. Mrs. Blanton resided at Washington, C. H. Ohio, where she moved with her husband about five years ago. The birth was believed by physicians to be a normal one.  After delivery when Mrs. Blanton was being taken back to her room she was suddenly stricken with shock, physicians said, and she died immediately. The infant was Mrs. Blanton's second child.  Her firstborn son died a few years ago in a tragic accident in the front yard of the family home when he became entangled in a rope swing. Surviving Mrs. Blanton are her husband, her mother, Mrs. Susan Stone, a brother, Ollie Stone, both of Washington, C.H., and five sisters, Mrs. Clinton Salyer, Lucasville, Ohio, Mrs. Ben Patrick, Jeffersonville, Ohio, Mrs. Graham Harris, Okanagen, Washinton, Mrs. Floyd Day, Seattle, Washinton, and Mrs. Oscar Salyer, Washington, C.H. Funeral services were held December 6 and the infant and his mother were buried together in a Washington, C. H. cemetery. Painstville Herald Thursday 12-25-1947

CASTLE, Vernon B.
1947
 Youth's Death Investigated By Local Officers The body of Vernon B. (Junior) Castle, 22, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bosier Castle of Thealka, was recovered from the Big Sandy River Friday near the mouth of Buffalo Creek. The youth had been missing for twelve days. He was last seen at the Riverside Club about 12:30 a.m. on the day of his disappearance. Witnesses testified that he ran over the bank towards the river following a disturbance at the roadhouse. A companion of the victim stated that a large number of people had congregated at the club and that he had purchased whiskey there prior to Castle's disappearance. Castle's parents suspecting foul play, after his failure to return home contacted local law officials and several searches were made of the locality and the river was dragged several times in search of the body. The body was discovered on the opposite side of the river from the Riverside Club where it floated to the surface. The remains were removed to the Jones Funeral Home for examination by county officials. It was then taken to the Paintsville Hospital for x-ray and later taken to a pathologist in Huntington. No report has been recieved from the findings. Funeral services were held at the Thealka Church, Sunday at 10 a.m. by Rev. Claude Preston and Rev. Charlie Bailey. Burial was made in the family cemetery at Thealka. Besides his parents, the victim is survived by several brothers and sisters. PAINTSVILLE HERALD THURSDAY JAN 11, 1948

CLAY, Alafair (Daniel)
1901-1947
ONE KILLED,TWO INJURED IN TRUCK WRECK AT MEALLY
Mrs. Irvin (Alafair) Clay Victim of Sunday Morning Accident A truck accident on Route 40 near Meally Sunday morning caused the death of Mrs. Irvin Clay of River and serious injuries to Mr. Clay and their daughter, Miss Herma Clay. The accident occured about 9:30 A.M. when the family, riding in the cab of the truck, were en route to visit a married daughter at Tutor Key.  The truck skidded and over-turned when Mr. Clay, who was driving, lost control of the vehicle when he attempted to avoid a collision with another car. Mrs. Clay died about five hours later in a local hospital of a punctured lung and several broken ribs. Mr. Clay sustained an injured shoulder and bruises, and Miss Clay suffered internal injuries and brusies. They are patients in a local hospital. Mrs. Clay who was 46 years old, was the former Alafair Daniel, daughter of Bascom Daniel of this county. Surviving besides her husband are three daughters, Mrs, Vonda McKenzie and Mrs, Gladys Stapleton, both of Tutor Key and Miss Herma Clay at home. Funeral services were conducted Thursday at one O'Clock at the United Baptist Church at River and burial was made in the Daniel Cemetery on Wiley Branch. Paintsville Herald Wednesday 12-11-1947

OBITUARY Alafiar Daniel Clay was born on Wiley Branch, Kentucky, on November 9 1901, the daughter of Mr. Luther Daniel and Sacillar Preston Daniel, members of two of the county's most prominent families. She attended school at Wiley Branch and lived with her parents until her marriage. On April 22 1918, she was united in marriage to Irvin Clay, also a member of a leading Johnson County family, To this union were born two daughters, Vonda Clay McKenzie of Tutor Key and Herma Clay, who made her home with her parents. Alafair was one of the community's best loved and religious mothers, having joined the Unvel (?) Baptist Church at River, Ky., in 1921.  For twenty-six years she lived the life of a good Christian; so that when the Great Emancipator called for her on December 9, 1947, she said, "I am ready". From childhood Alafair was a friendly and lovely person with a pleasing smile for everyone. She was always ready to help anyone whenever it was in her power to do so. Besides her husband and two daughters, she is survived by her parents and seven sisters, Mrs. Matilda Preston, Golda Daniel and Gladys Stapleton, twins, Mrs. Mary Meek, Mrs. Amanda Stapleton, Mrs. Gustava Price, and Mrs. Roberta Van Hoose.  One brother, Jay Daniel.  Two sisters, Mrs. Vina Preston and Mrs. May Meek, proceded her in death. Alafair at the time of her death was 46 years and 1 month old. PAINTSVILLE HERALD THURSDAY 12-18-1947

COULSON, Joseph
1947
JOSEPH O. COULSON DIES DECEMBER 13.
Joseph O. Coulson, 86, widely known decorator, died at his home at West Van Lear Saturday morning, December 13, (1947) from the effects of a stroke suffered the earlier part of October. Mr. Coulson, a native of Canada, came to this section from Detroit, Mich., and for many years practiced his profession of interior decorating in and around Paintsville. He is survived by his wife, Alma Duncan Coulson, and two sons, John Charles and Russell, both at home, one step-son, Arlo Wallace of Xenia, Ohio, and one step-daughter, Mrs. Nell Shepard, Louisville. Funeral services were conducted by the Rev. S. C. Honeycutt at the Christian Church at West Van Lear at 2:00 P.M., Monday December 15.  Burial was in the family lot in the West Van Lear Cemetery. PAINTSVILLE HERALD THURSDAY 12-18-1947

CRUM, Jimmie, Jr.
1947-1947
Crum Twin Succumbs At Boons Camp
Jimmie Crum, Jr., infant son of James Crum of Boons Camp died at the home of his parents on December 6.  He was two months and 29 days old and was one of twins. Funeral services were held at the home on December 7 by Rev. John Crum and Rev. Leonard Walters. Burial was made in the family cemetery. Paintsville Herald Thursday 12-18-1947

FRALEY, James
1947
LOCAL MAN FOUND DEAD IN BED
James Fraley of King Addition was found dead in bed this morning, Thursday, December 18, 1947, about 5:00 A. M.  Mr. Fraley was apparently in good health when he retired.  Funeral arrangements are incomplete as the Herald goes to press. Paintsville Herald Thursday 12-18-1947

Heart Ailment Fatal  To Father Of 14 James Fraley, 68, died suddenly of a heart condition from which he had suffered for years, at his home in King Addition Thursday morning, December 18, 1947. Mr. Fraley was born in Lawrence County, but had for many years been a resident of this county, where he had been employed in the mines. He is survived by his wife, Bessie Newcomb Fraley, and fourteen children, Ruel, Delmar, Mrs. Gladys Melvin, Mrs. Opal Daniel, and Mrs. Lizzie Gillum of this city.  Mrs. Gypsy Lyons of Springfield, Ohio, Rev. Dewey Fraley of Auxier, Mrs. Adeline Collinsworth, New Cumberland, Ohio, Robert, Herschell , George, Homer, James and Katherine at home.  Also surviving are four brothers, Tom and Millard of this city, Dock of Weeksbury, Fred of Cattlettsburg, three sisters, Mrs. Lizzie O’Bryan and Mrs. Maude Boyd of this city, and Mrs. Isabel Spencer of Plain City, Ohio. Funeral services were held Saturday, December 20, 1947, at 1:30 by Revs. C. C. Hall, Scott Castle and Ralph E. Webb. Burial was in the family cemetery near the home.   Paintsville Herald Thursday 12-25-1947

HOLBROOK, H. S.
1947
H. S. Holbrook, formerly of this city, died at his home in Westerville, Ohio, on Saturday, December 13, 1947.  Mr. Holbrook is the brother of J. Kash Holbrook who is now residing here. Burial was made in a Westerville cemetery. The Paintsville Herald Thursday 12-18-1947

MEADE, Kala (Litteral)
1947
Mrs. Kala Meade,  70, Dies At Oil Springs Dec. 5
Funeral Services Held Sunday At Methodist Church Kala Meade, 70, wife of Riggs Meade, died at her home at Oil Springs, Friday evening, December 5, 1947. Mrs. Meade was the daughter of the late Wiley and Rebecca Pace Litteral and was a lifelong resident of the community in which she died. She is survived by her invalid husband and seven children; six daughters, Mrs. Jenny Lind Nickells,Kenova, W. Va., Mrs. Mamie Blanton, Mrs. Anna Webb, Mrs. Fanny Belle Blanton, all of Oil Springs, Mrs. Marie Castle of this city. Mrs. Ruth Kirkly, Baltimore,Maryland, and one son, Mr. Frank Meade of Oil Springs. Also surviving are three brothers, Luther and Luster Litteral of Oil Springs, C. Litteral of Charleston,W.Va., and one sister, Mrs. Rebecca Salyer of Oil Springs. Twenty-two grandchildren also survive her. Funeral services were held Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at the Methodist Church at Oil Springs by Revs. Collins,Bandy,and Helton. Burial was in the Litteral cemetary at Oil Springs. Paintsville Herald Thursday 12-12-1947

PRESTON, Mona (Lewis)
1947
Mona L. Preston Dies December 1
Wounds Fatal To County Woman
Mrs. Mona Lewis Preston, 69, formerly of Johnson County died on December 1 in the Huntington Memorial Hospital, Huntington, of gunshot wounds inflicted by her husband, Carl Preston, on November 25.  Mr. Preston killed himself at the same time. Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Chris Ward and Mrs. Justice Bailey of Huntington, also one sister and six brothers, Mrs. Erma Harman, Jenkins, Willie Lewis, Allegheny, Ky., Hilliary, Staffordsville, Walter, Williamsport, Eli, Tomahawk, Frank and Robie of Boones Camp.  A brother, Dr. Avery Lewis died in a Lexington hospital on November 30. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Ralph Webb at 11 A. M. on Thursday, December 4, in the Meade Memorial High School gym at Williamsport. Special singing was rendered by the Williams quartet composed of Mr. and Mrs. Charley Williams, Rev. Ralph Webb and Ransom Daniel. Burial was made in the Lewis cemetery at Williamsport. Paintsville Herald Thursday 12-11-1947

RATLIFF, William Epp
1947
WILLIAM E. RATLIFF DIES DECEMBER 13
William Epp Ratliff, 62, of Ashland, retired contractor and builder, died suddenly Saturday, December 13, 1947, in an Ashland restaurant of a heart attack. Mr. Ratliff was a native of Pike County.  He was married early in manhood to Miss Mary Kirk, daughter of Judge Jim Kirk of Martin County.  He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Henry Ratliff, Pike County, three daughters, Mrs. D. E. Wheeler, and Mrs. David S. Miranda, Ashland, and Mrs. Henry C. Kelly, Jr., Ivyton, two sons, Darwin Ratliff, Ashland and William V. Ratliff, Ashland. Funeral services were conducted Monday, December 15, 1947, and burial was made in Rose Hill Burial Park at Ashland. Paintsville Herald Thursday 12-18-1947

RICE, Warnie
1947
SEVEN MEMBERS OF RICE FAMILY DIE IN FIRE IN OHIO
ONE ESCAPES IN APARTMENT HOUSE EXPLOSION
An Explosion and fire in an apartment house in Greenwich, Ohio, Sunday, December 07 1947. took the lives of seven members of a former Johnson Co., family, the victims were Warnie Rice, 48, his wife, Stella May Rice, and five of their children, Donald, 18, Martha, 16, Robert, 14, Joe, 06, and Roy 04.  They were former resident of the Jennies Creek locality. It was reported that the family was sleeping in a second story apartment when an explosion followed by fire occurred in the kitchen about 1 o’clock Sunday morning causing instant death to all the victims except Rice and one son, Joe, who died a few hours later in a Willard, Ohio Hospital. Escaping without injury was one son, Dewey, 21, who was sleeping with Everett Ratliff, a half-brother of Mr. Rice in another wing of the house. Mr. Rice was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Martin Rice of this county.  He was a railroad employee of Greenwich, Mrs. Rice was the daughter of Sherman May, formerly of Prestonsburg.  She is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Albert Ratliff of Greenwich and Mrs. Warren Ratlliff of West Portsmouth, Ohio. Mass funeral services were held at the Methodist Church in Greenwich and were buried in one grave in a Greenwich cemetery. Paintsville Herald Thursday 12-11-1947

STAFFORD, Sud
1947
Sud Stafford, 70 Dies December 2
Rites Held Here Wednesday
Sud Stafford, the son of the late George Stafford and Susan Stafford Mahan, died at 4:30 a.m., Tuesday, December 2, 1947 following an illness of several years. Mr. Stafford made his home with his brother Frank Stafford, who preceded him in death two and one half years ago, after which he remained in the home under the care of his sister-in-law, Mrs. Bertha Stafford. He was converted when a young man and lived a consistent Christian life.  He entered his membership with the Paintsville Freewill Baptist Church about ten years ago and was a faithful member until his death. Surviving are three sisters, Mrs. Anna Ward, Mrs. Green Salyer, and Mrs. May Pelphrey of this city; three brothers, Carl and Proctor of this city, W. M. of Cincinnati, Ohio, and  one-half brother Ballard of Camargo. Funeral Services were conducted by the Rev. Walter L. Hooper and Rev. C. C. Hall at the Freewill Baptist Church, at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 3.  Burial was in the Town Cemetery. Paintsville Herald Thursday 12-4-1947

STEPP, Aaron
1947
Rites Friday For Rev. Aaron Stepp 73-year Old Martin County Man Passes
Funeral services will be conducted Friday, for Rev. Aaron Stepp, 73, of Inez who died Tuesday, December 16 in St Mary's Hospital in Huntington where he had been a patient for the past three weeks. He was a lifelong resident of Martin County where he owned considerable real estate. He had been a minister of the Baptist Church for about forty years. surviving are his wife, Rebecca Maynard Stepp, and seven children, Mrs. Charity Stewart, Columbus, Ohio, Mrs. Martha Jane Collier, Beauty, Mrs. Mary Belle Bragg, Jacksonville, Fla., James, Williamson, W. Va., nilburn, Leonard, and Landrum of Inez. Funeral services will be conducted by Rev. Golden Ramey of Wayne, W. Va., at the Bethel Church on Coldwater Creek three miles out of Inez on graded road. Interment will be made in the family cemetery. Paintsville Herald Thursday 12-18-1947

VANHOOSE, Walter Gordon
1947
INFANT IS PNEUMONIA VICTIM
Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon, December 21, by Revs. Fraley and Hooper for Walter Gordon Van Hoose, the 20-month-old son of Joe and Flossie Wilcox Van Hoose. The child died in a local hospital following a days illness of bronchial pneumonia. He is survived by his parents and several brothers and sister. Burial was in the Thealka cemetery. Paintsville Herald Thursday 12-25-1947

QUESTIONS - COMMENTS - CORRECTIONS OR ADDITIONS
PLEASE E-MAIL

music@accnorwalk.com

COPYRIGHT
JOHNSON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY