BOWE, Lou (Witten)
1881-1956
Mrs. Lou Bowe of Wittensville Passes Monday
Services Held Thursday for County Resident
Mrs. Lou Bowe, 75, a lifelong resident of Wittensville, died in a local hospital Monday afternoon following an illness of four days. Born June 22, 1881, at Nippa, she was the daughter of the late W. N. and Nancy Ann Alley Witten. She was a member of the Freewill Baptist Church. She was preceded in death July 26, 1950, by her husband, Billy Bowe. Surviving are two daughters, Bessie Bowe, Wittensville, and Mrs. Elpha Rice, Garrett, one brother Argales Witten, Wittenville, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Thursday at the Mouth of Rush Freewill Baptist church with Claude Preston, c. c. Hall, and Harry Salyers as officiating ministers. Music will be by the Toms Creek Quartet. Burial will be made in the family cemetery at Wittensville under the direction of the Preston Funeral Home. Paintsville Herald Wednesday 7-11-1956

BUTLER, Lyda (Spears)
1878-1956
MRS. GUS BUTLER PASSES MONDAY AFTER LONG ILLNESS
SERVICES HELD TODAY FOR RESIDENT OF RIVER
Mrs. Lyda Spears Butler, 78, lifelong resisdent of River, Ky., died Monday in a local hospital following an illness of several months. The daughter of the late P.D. and Latania Walters Spears, she was born July 1, 1878.  She was a member of the United Baptist Church. She was married to Gus Butler who preceded her in death in January, 1956. Surviving are four sons, George W. Butler, Detroit, Mich., Clyde M. Butler and Robert P. Butler, both of Grand Rapids, Mich., and Estill L. Butler, Johnstown, Pa.; two daughters, Miss Eva Lee Butler, River, and Mrs. Robert CArney, Washington, D.C.; three brothers, Everett Spears,, Coal Grove, Ohio, Ham Spears, Ashland, and T.J. Spears, Cashmere, Washington; and one sister, Mrs. Russell Baker, Ashland. Funeral services were held this afternoon at the River United Baptist Church with F.F. Figsby, C.M. Sparks and Grover Fannin as officiating ministers. Burial was made in the family cemetery in River under the direction of the Paintsville Funeral Home. PAINTSVILLE HERALD WEDNESDAY 7-25-1956

COLLINS, Goldia (Spradlin)
1914-1956
Local Woman Passes Friday Servcies Held Sunday For Mrs. Jess Collins
Mrs. Goldia Spradlin Collins, 42, wife of Jess Collins of this city, died at her home Friday evening following an illness of a year. The daughter of Andy and Ida Selvage Spradlin, she was born May 7 1914, in Denver, Ky. She had been a resident of Paintsville for nineteen years. Surviving besides her husband, are one brother, Oliver Spradlin, West Van Lear; and two sisters, Cora Pelphrey, West Van Lear; and Dollie Collins, Melvin, Ky. Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at the home of Alvin Newson of Melvin, with Troy Caudill and Russell Blevins as officiating ministers. Burial was made in the family cemetery at Weeksbury, under the direction of the Preston Funeral Home. PAINTSVILLE HERALD AUG. 1 1956

COLVIN, Gilbert
1956
Gilbert Colvin Dies Monday In Auto Wreck
Funeral Services Today For Former County Residence
Funeral Services were held at 2:00 p.m. today at the East Point Church of Christ for Gilbert Colvin, 41, of Weeksbury, Ky., who was killed Monday in an automobile accident near Shelbiana. Mr. Colvin was en route to Hager Hill to visit his mother when a tire blowout caused the car in which he was riding to overturn. He died shortly afterward from throat cuts and other injuries. The driver of the automobile was only slightly injured. He was the son of Mrs. Lou Kestner Colvin of Hager Hill and the late Sam Colvin. He resided at East Point for many years where he has many friends. Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Cole Colvin, one daughter, Miss Luann Colvin, two sisters, Mrs. Gladys Shay of Detroit, Mich., and Mrs. Dixie Oney of Hager Hill. Two brothers, Leonard Colvin of New Orleans, La., and Woodrow Colvin of Dunham, Ky. One brother, Samuel Colvin, Jr., died in a mine accident about twenty-three years ago. Funeral services were conducted by Reverend S. C. Honeycutt and burial was made in the Hager Hill Cemetery. PAINTSVILLE HERALD Wednesday July 11, 1956

KEEN, Mary (Baker)
1871-1956
MRS. DAVE KEEN OF JOHNS CREEK DIES TUESDAY
Mrs. Mary Baker Keen, 84, wife of Dave Keen of Johns Creek, died at her home Tuesday following an illness of five weeks. Born December 30, 1871, in Dickerson County, Virginia. She was the daughter of the late Willie and Louisa Mullins Baker. She had been a resident of the Johns Creek section for 26 years. She was a member of the Church of Christ. Surviving besides her husband are three sons, Lawson, Carl and Jimmy Keen, all of Van Lear, and two daughters, Mrs. Nora Collins, Van Lear, and Mrs. Christine Bolen, Lexington. Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon at the Philadelphia Church of Christ with the Revs. S. C. Honeycutt and Cecil Sherman officiating. Burial was made in the Clark cemetery at Van Lear under the direction of the Jones and Preston Funeral Home.Paintsville Herald Wednesday August 1, 1956

MCKENZIE, Mitchell
1911-1956
SERVICES MONDAY FOR COUNTY MAN
Mitchell McKenzie, 45, Of  Staffordsville, Succumbs  Saturday
Mitchell McKenzie, 45, Staffordsville, an employee of the Paintsville Cleaners and Launndry, died in a local hospital Saturday morning following an illness of two-weeks. The son of the late Dan & Cynthia Brown McKenzie, he  was born May 7, 1911, at Volga, KY. He was preceded in death March 6, 1955, by his wife, Gracie McKenzie. Surviving are two sons, Gerald and Harold McKenzie, both at home, one brother, Bert McKenzie, city, and two sisters, Mrs. Loy Williams, Staffordsville, and Mrs. Millard Salyers, Volga. Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at the Staffordsville United Baptist Church with Lonza Reed, Jim Blanton, and Cully Sparks as officiating ministers. Burial was made in the family cemetery at Staffordsville under the direction of the Preston Funeral Home. Paintsville Herald Wednesday August 1, 1956

MEADE, Infant
1956
Rites Held Wednesday for Meade Infant
Funeral services were held Wednesday, July 18, 1956, at the home of the great-grandmother, Mrs. B. McKenzie, Volga, for the infant son of Sgt. and Mrs. Kenneth Meade of Wichita, Kansas, formerly of Volga. Surviving besides the parents are two sisters, Kris Lynn and Debbie Faye Meade, both at home; Mr. and Mrs. Homer Bradshaw, Louisville, Ky., and the paternal grandmother, Mrs. Georgia Hensler, Louisville. Burial was made in the family cemetery at Volga under the direction of the Preston Funeral Home. Paintsville Herald Wednesday July 25, 1956

MEEK, Leslie G.
1956
Former Resident Dies Thursday Services Held Saturday for Leslie G. Meek, 49
Leslie G. Meek, 49, died at his home in Burbank, Calif., Thursday, July 12, 1956, following an illness of several months.  He was the son of Davis Meek of Thealka. He had been associated with the Barker Bros. Furniture Co. in California for 11 years.  Before going to California, he was employed for 19 years by Western Union. Mr. Meek was born in Johnson County. He is survived by his father; his wife, Dorothy Meek; four brothers, Earl Meek of Ashland, Thurman and Herman of Lancaster, Ohio, and Sgt. Roma Meek of Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and three sisters, Mrs. J. C. Ward of La Junta, Colo.; Mrs. Harry Gambill of Lancaster, Ohio, and Mrs. Richard Sparks of Thealka. Funeral services were conducted Saturday, July 14, 1956, and burial was made in the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Burbank. Paintsville Herald Wednesday July 18, 1956

MOORE, Plura (Segraves)
1888-1956
MRS. JOHN MOORE PASSES THURSDAY
Services Held Saturday For Skaggs Resident
Mrs. Plura Moore, 66, wife of John Moore of Skaggs, Ky, died at her home Thursday morning, following an illness of nine months.  Death was attributed to cancer. The daughter of the late A. M. and Senn Skaggs Segraves, she was born May 16, 1888, at Barn Rock. She had been a resident of Skaggs, Ky. for six years. She was a member of the Primitive Baptist Church at Skaggs. Surviving the husband are one son, Mart Moore, Blaine, Ky.; two daughters, Mrs. Lula Mae Atone, Lima, Ohio, and Mrs. Verla Faye Segraves, Hilliards, Ohio; one sister, Mrs. Lula Swiney, Lucasville, Ohio; four brothers, Clarence Segraves, Ashland, Lonnie Segraves, Charleston, W. Va., Paris Segraves, Hilliards, Ohio; 20 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held Saturday morning, July 21, 1956 at the home with Robie Ferguson, Proctor Lyons, Norvil Vanover and Addie Ferguson as officiating ministers. Burial was made in the Lyons Cemetery at Blaine, Ky. under the direction of the Preston Funeral Home. Paintsville Herald Wednesday 7-25-1956

MUSIC, Jim
1915-1956
JIM MUSIC 41 DIES SUDDENLY
Jim Music, 41, died suddenly Tuesday morning of a heart attack at his home on Preston Street. The son of Arch and Rosa Castle Music, he was born May 12 1915, in this county. He was a miner by occupation. Surviving are his wife Mrs. Effie Yates Music, two sons, Kenneth and Bobbie, both at home; two daughters, Linda Joyce and Nancy, both at home; two brothers, Roy Music, Nippa; and Hardy Music, Lima, Ohio; and three sisters, Mrs. Audrey Moore and Mrs. Rachel Scarberry, both of Nippa; and Mrs. Maudie VanHoose of Sitka. Funeral services will be held Thursday morning at 11:00 at the Nippa Freewill Baptist Church. Burial will be made in the Castle Cemetery under the direction of the Paintsville Funeral Home. PAINTSVILLE HERALD AUG.22 1956

PRESTON, Jess W.
1859-1956
Jess W. Preston Former Resident Dies In Inez
Jess W. Preston, 87, Inez, Ky., former resident of this county, died at his home Friday following an illness of several years. The son of the late Eliphas and Elizabeth Ward Preston, he was born June 6 1859. He was a retired carpenter and a member of the United Baptist Church. He was preceded in death in 1952 by his wife, Sarah Williamson Preston. Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Lorna Henry, Chatterroy, W. Va.; and Mrs. Saddie Peters, Bluefield, Va.; two brothers, Ernest Preston, Williamsport; and Ballard Preston, Boons Camp; and a number of nieces and nephews living in this city. Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at the Inez United Baptist Church with Avery Preece and Emory Etters as officiating ministers. Burial was made in the Saltwell Cemetery at Inez under the direction of the Richmond Callaham Funeral Home. PAINTSVILLE HERALD WEDNESDAY JUL.18 1956 

PRESTON, Nora Lee (VanHoose)
1890-1956
Portsmouth Times Monday July 16, 1956
Mrs. Gaylord Preston
Mrs. Nora Lee Preston, 66, wife of Gaylord Preston of Flatwoods on Lucasville, Rt. 4, died at 4:25 a.m. today at Portsmouth General Hospital. She had been critically ill one week.  A resident of the Flatwoods community since 1916, she lived previously in Wheelersburg after coming to Scioto County from Johnson County, KY. Born in Paintsville, KY March 30, 1890, she was a daughter of James and Elizabeth Preston Van Hoose of Lucasville Rt 4. She married Mr. Preston in 1908.  Mrs. Preston was a member of Scioto Valley Grange and was secretary of Scioto County Pomona Grange. She was a member of Candy Run United Baptist Church. Besides her husband and mother, she is survived by a son, Mont of Lucasville, Rt 4; two brothers, Vernor of Lucasville Rt 4 and Spurgeon of Mira Loma, CA; four sisters, Mrs. Ann Nesbitt of Lucasville Rt. 4, Mrs. Bertha Widdig of Warren, Mrs. Mildred Ellis of Clarksburg, WV, and Mrs Jessie Comer of Lucasville, and two grandchildren. Her father, four brothers and two grandchildren preceded her in death. Services will be conducted Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Candy Run Church and burial will be in Lucasville Cemetery directed by McKinley Funeral Home.

SPENCER, Forest, Jr.
1956
FOREST SPENCER, THEALKA MINER, DIES WEDNESDAY
Autopsy Report States Mine Gas Poisoning Is Cause Of Death
Funeral services were held at the Thealka Freewill Baptist Church Saturday morning, July 28, 1956  for Forest Spencer, Jr., 27, Thealka, who succumbed, suddenly Wednesday evening, July 25, 1956. Mr. Spencer, who was employed by a coal company at Thealka, returned to his home after a day’s work and became ill after his evening meal.  He was rushed to a local hospital where he died soon after arrival. According to an autopsy report made by Dr. Edwin T. Thorness of Pikeville, the cause of death was attributed to mine gas poisoning. Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Betty Castle Spencer; one son, Jimmie Roger, eight months, and one daughter, Judith Kaye, 4. The Revs. James Lyons and C.C. Hall were in charge of the funeral services and the music was by the Toms Creek Quartet. Burial was made in the family cemetery at Stambaugh under the direction of the Paintsville Funeral Home. PAINTSVILLE HERALD WEDNESDAY AUG.1 1956

VANHOOSE, John H.
1886-1956
John H. VanHoose, 70, a retired miner of Van Lear, died in a local hospital Saturday morning following an illness of several months. Born May 29 1886, in Lawrence County, he was the son of the late Martin and Millie Swain VanHoose. He was a member of the Freewill Baptist Church. Surviving are his wife, Lou Verna Lyons VanHoose, four sons, Jay VanHoose, Salyersville; Arbie VanHoose, Columbus, Ohio; Proctor VanHoose, city; and Verner VanHoose, Tutor Key; two daughters, Mrs. Alex Music, Van Lear; and Mrs. Ray Castle, Wharton, W. Va.; one brother, Marion VanHoose, and two sisters, Bessie Vance, and Symantha Vance, all of Plain City, Ohio. Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at the Thealka Frwwill Baptist Church with Edgar Hulette, James Lyons, and Don Fraley as officiating ministers. Music was by the Tom's Creek Quartet. Burial was in the family cemetery at Thealka under the direction of the Paintsville Funeral Home. PAINTSVILLE HERALD WEDNESDAY  JUL.18 1956 

WARD, William "Bud"
1873-1956
Rites Wednesday For William Ward
William Andrew “Bud” Ward, 83, died Sunday afternoon at his home at Nippa following a brief illness. Born March 28, 1873, he was the son of the late H. R. and Risie Castle Ward.  He was a lifelong resident of Johnson County. He is survived by his wife, Susie Ward, two sons, Dewey and Ray Ward; two daughters, Mrs. Nellie Whitt and Mrs. Stella Walker; and a step daughter, Mrs. Gypsy Borders.  Seven children preceded him in death. Funeral services were conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 4, at his home with the Revs. Claude Preston and Scott Castle officiating.  Burial was made in the family cemetery at Nippa under the direction of the Jones and Preston Funeral Home. Paintsville Herald Wednesday 7-4-1956

WEBB, Fane
1956
MRS, FANE WEBB, ASHLAND CITIZEN, DIES MONDAY
Rites Tuesday At Sitka For Former Resident
Mrs. Fane Webb, 81, a former resident of Johnson County, died Monday morning in an Ashland hospital following an illness of three weeks. Mrs. Webb lived with her son, Earle Stafford, Ashland, also a former resident of Paintsville. She was born at Sitka, Ky., and was a member of the Christian Church. Surviving in addition to the son is a brother, Sonnie Webb, Sitka. Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon (July 17, 1956) at the Sitka Church of Christ with the Rev. Leonard Webb officiating. Burial was made in the Webb family cemetery. NOTE: Deathdate figured & entered in this obituary from date of publication. PAINTSVILLE HERALD WEDNESDAY JUL.18 1956

WILLIAMS, Charlie
1889-1956
FUNERAL SERVICES HELD JULY 4, FOR RED BUSH MAN CHARLIE WILLIAMS, 67,
FARMER; MERCHANT DIES MONDAY, JULY 2
Funeral services were held Wednesday, July 4, 1956, for Charlie Williams, 67, prosperous Red Bush farmer, who died at 11:30 p.m. Monday. Mr. Williams was one of the county’s most respected citizens and a member of a prominent family.  He had been ill for several months, and was recently removed to a local hospital where his death occurred. Born September 26, 1889, he was the son of the late Dr. Buell Williams and Lydia Reed Williams of Red Bush. He was affiliated with the New Regular Baptist Church. In addition to his farming activities, Mr. Williams was also a merchant of the Red Bush vicinity where he had spent his entire life. In his early life, he was married to Miss Effie Hill, who died in 1949. Surviving are one son, Duel Williams of Red Bush, superintendent of the Foothills Rural Telephone Company at Staffordsville; one daughter, Miss Dixie Williams at home a former teacher in the Johnson Co. Schools and three granddaughters, Carolyn Williams, Marilyn Williams, and Lenora Williams, all of Red Bush. Funeral services were held at the residence and burial was made in the family cemetery at Red Bush under the direction of the Paintsville Funeral Home. Paintsville Herald Wednesday 7-4-1956

WILLIAMS, Herman
1919-1956
HERMAN WILLIAMS DIES AFTER EXTENDED ILLNESS Herman Williams, 37, well known businessman of this city and son of Mr. And MR. V. S. Williams died Thursday afternoon July 5 1956 following an extended illness Survivors include his wife, Mr. Julia Mary Splane Williams, and four children. Funeral Arrangements are incomplete according to attendants of he Paintsville Funeral Home.

Herman Harold Williams, 37, assistant manager of the Williams Wholesale Grocery Company and prominent in the business life of Paintsville, died Thursday July 5, 1956 at his home in Happy Hollow following an illness of several weeks.  Death was attributed to cancer. Born February 4, 1919, he was the son of Vaughan S. and Nova Jayne Williams He Attended the Paintsville City School and was a graduate of Riverside Military Academy, Gainesville, Georgia. He also attended Eastern State College, Richmond Ky. Mr. Williams entered the Army in May 1944, and was stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.  On receiving his discharge he returned to Paintsville where he became associated in the wholesale grocery business with his father. He had many friends through out Johnson County who mourned his passing.  His cheery smile his genial and warm personality won for him a legion of friends and it was often said, “To know him was to love him. He was a member of the Mayo Memorial Methodist Church and a loyal and active member as long as his health permitted. He was married June 25, 1939, to Julia Mary Splane, who survives. Also Surviving beside his wife and parent are three sons, Vincent Stephen, Michael Lindsay and Mark Splane Williams, one daughter, Jeneva Jayne Williams, all at home.  Three brothers, Dr Gerald S Williams, Daytona Beach, Florida, Charles Vaughn Williams, U. S. Army, Fort Bragg, North Carolina and James Paul Williams, City, three sister, Mrs. Leo Nickell, Orlando, Florida, Mrs. Charles Ratliff, Pikeville, and  Mrs. William Kazee, City and his maternal grandmother Mrs. Minnie Jayne, Ashland. Funeral Services were held Saturday afternoon at the Mayo Memorial Methodist Church with the Rev. John Weir, former pastor of the church, officiating.  He wa assisted by the Rev. Charles Dearing, the Rev. W. F Pettus, and the  Rev H. B Helland. Burial was made in the Wells-Buckingham Cemetery under the directions of the Paintsville Funeral Home. Active pallbearers were Bob Montgomery, Bill Hazelrigg, Doug Turner, Ray Meade, J. L Howard, Coke Williams, Edd Redd, Ralph Gibson, J. B. Wells, Jr. J. K. Wells, Russell Kirk, and Lewis Prichard. Honorary Pallbearers were B C Lyon, D. H. Dorton, Dr Paul B. Hall, Harry Davis, John K. Buckingham, Dan Wheeler, C. E. Nichol, J. H Pelphrey, Carl Frall, J. H. Frall, Dr A. D. Slone, V. S. Taylor, Hubert L. Wells and Toral Franklin. Paintsville Herald  7-11-1956

WOODS, Laura (Webb)
1876-1956
LAURA WOODS, 80, PASSES TUESDAY, RITES THURSDAY
Mrs, Laura Woods, 80, beloved resident of this city, succumbed Tuesday morning at her home on Main Street following an illness of seven months. The daughter of the late Aaron and Sarah Hill Webb, she was born April 16, 1876, in Morgan County.  She had been a member of the United Baptist Church since a young woman. She was married in 1903 to Frank Woods who preceded her in death September 15, 1942.  A son also preceded her in death. Surviving are two sons; Lloyd and Bill Woods, both of this city, one daughter, Mrs. Lloyd Lemaster, Kerz, 13 grandchildren and 7 great- grandchildren. Funeral services were held Thursday, July 5, at the home with Revs. Lonza Reed and T.J. Bailey officiating. Burial was made in the Jayne Cemetery at Staffordsville under the direction of the Jones and Preston Funeral Home. PAINTSVILLE HERALD WEDNESDAY 7-4-1956

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