Mildred Elam

Mildred Elam befriended generations of Ashland residents during her 40 years of memorable service as bookstore manager and central fund treasurer of Ashland High School and the renamed Paul G. Blazer High School. From 1956 through 1996, literally thousands of students came to know and depend on Millie Elam in the bookstore. Yet this position was only a part of a long and varied work career.

Prior to joining the staff of the high school, Ms. Elam worked as an office manager for Dr. M.D. Garred for five years, as an office manager for Attorney Chesley Lycan for five years and as a teller at Third National Bank for three years. From 1938 to 1944, she was the featured vocalist for a local dance band called “Scott Craft and his Craftsmen,” featuring Mimi Hayes. An article about her singing career appeared in the winter 2008 edition of “Independent — The Magazine.”

In 2008, she was presented a key to the city of Ashland in recognition of her many accomplishments. Ms. Elam was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 119, and the Russell Mistletoe Chapter; the White Shrine; The Ashland Child Culture Club; the Mother of Twins Club; and a former officer of the Ashland Business and Professional Women’s Club.

Born in Louisa, Ky., Mildred Elizabeth Hayes Elam was the daughter of the late William Kirk Hayes and the late Martha Evelyn Thompson Hayes; and sister of the late Mary Maxine Burns.

Mildred Elam is survived by her twin daughters, Patricia Elam of Ashland and Pamela Elam of New York City, who were with her when she passed away at home on May 9th after a long illness.

Funeral services will be at the Marshall Steen Funeral Home, 3409 13th Street, Ashland, on Wednesday, May 13, 2009, at 1 p.m. Burial will follow in Bellefonte Memorial Gardens in Flatwoods.

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

The family requests that instead of flowers, donations in the name of Mildred Elam be made to Community Hospice, 1538 Central Ave., Ashland, KY 41101.

Online condolences may be sent to www.steenfuneralhomes.com.



Penne Paris - 1962-2009

Penne Marie Canada Paris, 46, of Ashland, wife of Dr. Floyd A. Paris, passed away Saturday evening, May 9, 2009.

Penne was born June 17, 1962, in Memphis, Tenn., a daughter of Billie Jean Carnathan Canada of Ashland, formerly of Memphis, and the late Richard Steve Canada Sr.

Penne was a payroll clerk with Ashland Oil, a member of Unity Baptist Church, where she faithfully sang in the church choir and attended the Ladies Bible Study Group.

In addition to her mother, she is survived by her loving husband of 27 years, Dr. Floyd A. Paris; children, Philip Alan Paris and Julie Christine Paris, both of Ashland; a sister, Vicki Grant, and her husband Richard, of Cordova, Tenn.; a brother, Richard Steve Canada Jr., and his wife DeeDee, of Zionsville, Ind.; special nieces and nephews, Preston Canada, Stephanie Canada, Paige Locke, Ryan Paris and his wife Meagan, Clay Paris and Trey Paris III; and a host of extended family and friends.

Penne was a devoted wife, mother and a loyal friend and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 13, 2009, at Unity Baptist Church by the Rev. Harold Cathey and Dr. Ronnie Mayes.

Friends may call from 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the church and one hour before services at the church on Wednesday.

Caniff Funeral Home in Westwood is in charge of the arrangements.

Burial will follow in Memphis Memory Hills Garden in Memphis, Tenn.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Penne’s memory may be made to Unity Baptist Church, 2320 29th St., Ashland, KY 41101.



David Keith Isaacs - 1945-2009

David Keith Isaacs, 63, of Ashland died Friday morning, May 8, 2009, at his residence. He was born June 30, 1945, in Springfield, Ohio, the son of the late William H. “Bill” and Mary Mildred Seagraves Isaacs. He is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Brenda J. Gauze Isaacs. He was retired from CSX with 40 years of service during which he served on the safety committee. He also was a firefighter and chief engineer with the Summit-Ironville Volunteer Fire Department for 35 years. He was an established guitarist and all around musician. He had played with many of the local bands over the years and enjoyed playing with friends and family.

He also was preceded in death by a daughter, Christie Lynn Isaacs Burgess, who passed away in 2003; and one brother, William Milford Isaacs.

Survivors, in addition to his wife, include one son, David W. Isaacs of Ashland; one daughter, Kimberly D. Isaacs of Ashland; one brother, Bill Isaacs of Catlettsburg; four sisters, Diane (Delbert) Kirk of Greenup; Debra (Duane) Kemp of Ashtabula, Ohio, Jackie (Allen) Smith of Lexington, and Jacinda (Frank) Layne of Catlettsburg; five grandchildren, Dustin Manning Burgess, Tiffanie Michelle Moore, BreAnn Nichole Burgess, Hannah Lynn Isaacs, and Madison Kenzie Isaacs; and one great-grandchild, Aiden Matthew Shanks; mother-in-law, Clotine Gauze of Ashland; two brothers-in-law, Jeffery Gauze of Florida and Jim Gauze of Carter County; his best friend, Carl (Jeri) Triplett; and a host a loving nieces, nephews, family members and friends.

Funeral will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at Steen Funeral Home-13th Street Chapel in Ashland, with Pastor Leo Glancey officiating. Entombment will be in Rose Hill Burial Park Mausoleum in Ashland.

Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be sent to www.steenfuneralhomes.com.



Alice Sutphin Caproni - 1927-2009

Alice Sutphin Caproni, 82, of Worthington died Saturday, May 9, 2009, at Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital in Russell. She was born March 22, 1927, in Ashland, the daughter of the late Cecil and Althea White Sutphin. Her husband, Donald Caproni, survives. They were married Feb. 21, 1964. She was a homemaker and a member of First Baptist Church in Worthington. She also was a member and past president of the Ashland Art Club and Ashland and Worthington Homemaker clubs and she did various other charity work in the communities.

She also was preceded in death by several siblings and other family members.

Survivors, in addition to her husband, include her children, Thomas and Cindy McDowell of Indianapolis, Ind., Cathy Caproni of Ironton, and Keith and Patricia Caproni of Rosebud, Texas; two brothers, James Sutphin and Robert Sutphin, both of Lexington; and five grandchildren.

Funeral will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Carman Funeral Home in Flatwoods with minister Glenn Stephenson officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Burial Park in Ashland.

Visitation will be after 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.



Carl Smallwood - 1942-2009

Carlis Ray Smallwood, 67, of Ashland died Sunday at his home.

Arrangements are pending at Caniff Funeral Home in Westwood.



Deliliah C. Wright

Deliliah C. Glispie Wright, 50, o fPortsmouth died Saturday at Southern Ohio Medical Center in Portsmouth.

Arrangments are pending at Roberson Funeral Home in South Shore.



Grace Locke

Grace Locke, 92, of Pikeville died Saturday at the Pikeville Medical Center.

Arrangements are pending at Thacker Funeral Home in Pikeville.



Debra Jean Trent Howard - 1957-2009

Debra Jean Trent Howard, 51, of Morehead died Saturday at St. Claire Regional Medical Center in Morehead.

She was born Oct. 30, 1957.

Her husband, Clifford Howard, survives.

Funeral will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals in Morehead. Burial will be in Trent Cemetery.

Visitation will be after 5 p.m. today at the funeral home.



Wm. Sherman Mollette - 1938-2009

Wm. Sherman Mollette, 71, of Meally died Saturday at his home.

He was born March 1, 1938, in Boone County, W.Va.

His wife, Reba Burns Mollette, survives.

Funeral will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at Preston Funeral Chapel in Paintsville. Burial will be in Mollette Cemetery in Meally.

Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.



Glenn Lacy

Glenn Lacy, 91, of West Liberty died Saturday at his home.

His wife, Elizabeth Hurst Lacy, preceded him in death.

Funeral will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at Herald & Stewart & Halsey Funeral Home in West Liberty. Burial will be in Hazel Green Cemetery.

Visitation will be after 6 p.m. today at the funeral home.



Dennis “Dee” Franklin May Sr. - 1948-2009

Dennis “Dee” Franklin May Sr., 60, of Lawrenceburg died Sunday.

He was born Oct. 18, 1948, in Van Lear.

His wife, Shirley Foster May, survives.

Funeral will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Jones-Preston Funeral Chapel in Paintsville. Burial will be in Highland Memorial Burial Park in Staffordsville.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Hospice of the Bluegrass by calling the funeral home at (606) 789-3501.



Emogene Ferguson - 1914-2009

Emogene Ferguson, 94, of Catlettsburg died Sunday at her home.

She was born July 4, 1914, in Louisa.

Her husband, Ezra Lewis Ferguson, preceded her in death.

Graveside service will be at 4 p.m. Wednesday at Meek Cemetery on Isaac Park Road in Louisa.

Visitation will be from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at Young Funeral Home in Louisa.



Joan Carol Sturgill Jackson

Joan Carol Sturgill Jackson, 70, of Paintsville died Thursday in Minnesota.

Funeral will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Mayo Memorial Methodist Church. Burial will be in Highland Memorial Park in Staffordsville.

Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Monday, with Xi Alpha Psi Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority conducting a memorial service at 7 p.m. and after 9 a.m. Tuesday at Paintsville Funeral Home.