James Andrew “Andy” DeLong

James Andrew “Andy” DeLong, loving husband, father and son, went to be with his Lord and Savior, whom he served faithfully, on Wednesday, May 13, 2009.

Andy was the son of Billy Ray and Edith Morris DeLong of Asheville, N.C. He was born in Fort Bragg, N.C., and spent his childhood in Ashland, Ky.

In addition to his parents, Andy is survived by his wife, Cheryl Tucker DeLong; his two sons, Joshua Andrew and Curt Nathaniel DeLong; his sisters, Cathy Gilkeson and her husband, Bob, of Asheville and Mella Trimble and her husband, Jim, of Pikeville, Ky.; four nieces; and four nephews. He is also survived by Cheryl’s parents, William Terrell and Shirley Tucker of Chapel Hill, N.C.; his sister-in-law, Karen Tucker Marcus and her husband, Steve; and his good friend and business partner, Jeff Palmer.

Andy was a member of Biltmore Baptist Church, where he served as deacon and a member of the orchestra. He was a member of the Hendersonville Swing Band, the Biltmore Brass and the Walnut Cove Men’s Golf Association.

He loved Cheryl, Josh and Curt with all his heart and he was a devoted son, family man and friend to many. His exuberance for life was contagious. He was an accomplished musician and businessman. He was generous to those in need and touched many lives. He will be greatly missed.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Biltmore Baptist Church by the Rev. Bruce Frank and the Rev. J. Michael Brown.

The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. today at Groce Funeral Home in Lake Julian, N.C.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Exalt Music Ministry, Biltmore Baptist Church, 35 Clayton Road, Arden, NC 28704.

Condolences may be sent to www.grocefuneralhome.com.



Mary Lucille Fleming Hoppes (1928-2009)

Mary Lucille Fleming Hoppes, 81, of Washington Court House, Ohio, died Wednesday, May 13, 2009, in Fayette County Memorial Hospital in Washington Court House.

Mrs. Hoppes was born Jan. 3, 1928, in Ashland, Ky., to Ballard and Florence Pennington Fleming. She moved to Fayette County, Ohio, in 1945 from Ashland.

Before her retirement, she was a cashier at Garner’s Truck Stop.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Merrill W. Hoppes; her parents; and a sister, Helen Tucker.

Mrs. Hoppes is survived by two sons, Fred (Nancy) Hoppes and Daniel (Joan) Hoppes, all of Washington Court House; five grandchildren, Cory (Megan) Hoppes of Washington Court House, Dr. Tobin (Molly) Hoppes of Whitefish, Mont., Tyler Hoppes of Columbus, Julie (Nick) Adams of Marysville, Ohio, and Zach (Leigh) Hoppes of Louisville, Ky.; two stepgrandchildren, Melissa (Charles) Duncan of Jeffersonville, Ky., and Brandon (Kelli) Ellars of Good Hope, Ohio; two great-grandchildren, Ellie Hoppes and Brady Adams; a stepgreat-granddaughter, Calee Ellars; three sisters, Betty Darby of Ashland, Edna Fleming and her friend, Randall Maynard, of Columbus and Lois Stambough of Ashland; and numerous loving nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 16, 2009, at Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House. Burial will be in Good Hope Cemetery.

Friends may call after noon Saturday at the funeral home.



Candace Jane Johnson Hutchinson Litteral (1951-2009)

Candace Jane Johnson Hutchinson Litteral, 58, of Westwood, Ashland, Ky., died May 13, 2009, in Community Hospice Care Center in Ashland following an extended illness.

She was born Jan. 17, 1951, in Ashland, a daughter of the late Cecil and Pearl Marie Shilling Johnson.

She was also preceded in death by brothers Robert Bruce Johnson and David Cecil Johnson.

She was owner and operator of the Gourd House in Westwood, was of the Episcopal faith and a member of the Eagles.

Surviving are her husband, Richard Keith Litteral of Westwood; sons Dane Edward Hutchinson and wife Jennifer of Belleview, Fla., Richard Edward Litteral and wife Monica of Waterloo, Ohio, and Matthew Rainer Litteral of Lexington, Ky.; daughter Shawna Lee Doolin and husband Michael of Ashland; half brothers, Chip and Mike Johnson; half sisters, Jackie Rose and Johanna Johnson; grandchildren David Michael Hutchinson, Kristopher Edward Hutchinson, Dakota Marie Hutchinson, Kaleb Evan Hutchinson, Ace John Michael Doolin, Richard Waylon Jacob Doolin, Ellis Tyler Litteral, Hailey Nichole Litteral, Devin Quade Litteral and Nikia Watts; and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 17, 2009, at Steen Funeral Home-13th Street Chapel in Ashland by the Rev. Jeffrey Bullington.

Friends may call after 1 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Friends may make contributions to Community Hospice, 1538 Central Ave., Ashland, KY 41101.

Condolences may be sent to www.steenfuneralhomes.com.



Keith Arlen Grubb (1961-2009)

Keith Arlen Grubb, 47, of Olive Hill, Ky., passed away Tuesday morning, May 12, 2009, in Elliott County, Ky.

Mr. Grubb was born May 13, 1961, in Boyd County, Ky., a son of Colon Grubb of Catlettsburg, Ky., and the late Marian Burdette Grubb.

In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Ilene Grubb; a brother, Kenneth Grubb; and a brother-in-law; Marion Barrett.

Other survivors include his wife of 28 years, Brenda Lee Lemaster Grubb; a son, Matthew Arlen Grubb of Olive Hill; two daughters, Amanda Lee Grubb of Morehead, Ky., and Natasha Rae Grubb and her fiancé, Andy Walker Sapp, both of Olive Hill; two granddaughters, Kaitlyn Sapp and Rylee Sapp; four sisters and brothers-in-law, Sandra and Raymond Warren, Teresa Barrett and Glenda and Chuck Reffitt, all of Ashland, Ky., and Paula and Gene Compton of Louisville, Ky.; a grand-dog, Jasper Grubb; and his close cousin, Juanita Warner of Louisville, Ky.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 16, 2009, at Globe Funeral Chapel in Olive Hill with Brother James Holbrook and Brother Ira “Speedy” Miller officiating. Burial will be in Lemaster Cemetery on Mushroom Hill Road in Lawton, Ky.

Friends may call after 6 p.m. today and until the services Saturday at the funeral home.

Bill Parsons, Mike Workman, Charles Dunaway, Rocky Parsons, Joseph Helms and Gary Webb will serve as pallbearers.

Condolences may be sent to www.globefc.com.



Raymond “Bobby Ray” Ratcliff Jr. (1942-2009)

Raymond “Bobby Ray” Ratcliff Jr., 67, of Lost Creek, went home to be with the Lord at his home surrounded by family and friends on Wednesday evening May 13, 2009, following an extended illness.

He was born April 3, 1942, a son of Raymond E. and Bessie Miller Ratcliff of Lost Creek. He was a retired boilermaker with Local 40 in Elizabethtown, Ky., and a dedicated Christian who loved to read and learn about the word of God.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife, Bonnie Kitchen Ratcliff; two sons, Robert Ray Ratcliff of Grayson and William Arthur and Alison Ratcliff of Denton; two daughters, Jacqueline K. and Rick Douglas of Olive Hill and Della Rena and Billy Joe Collins of Grayson; 13 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 16, 2009, at Sparks Funeral Home in Grayson by minister Randy Binion. Burial will be in Ratcliff Family Cemetery on Ratcliff Branch.

Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today, May 15, 2009, and after 9 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Condolences may be sent to www.sparksfh.com.



Johnnie Lee May (1921-2009)

Johnnie May, 87, of Webbville, went to be with the Lord on May 13, 2009 at his residence.

He was born May 20, 1921, at Cherokee, Ky., the son of the late Thomas Jefferson May and Elta McGuire May.

Also preceding him in death were his wife of 61 years, Beulah Mae Kimbler May; a daughter, Carolyn Alice May Keaton; and several brothers and sisters.

He was a veteran of World War II, a farmer and a coal miner. He was of the Freewill Baptist faith.

Survivors include three brothers, Paul May of Louisa and Oscar and Joe Ray May, both of Columbus; and a sister-in-law, Velma May of Webbville, Ky.

He was the father of 10 children, Elta (Richard) Chapman of Raceland, Ky., Elwanda (Robert) Barton of Delaware, Ohio, the late Carolyn Alice (James) Keaton of Webbville, Ky., Barbara (Edward) Cumpton of Wurtland, Ky., Helen (Robert) Keeton of Raceland, Leon May of Oak Hill, Ohio, Rebel (Joseph Griffith) Justice of Detroit, Mich., Tenia (George) Henson of Louisa, Connie Felty of Grayson, Ky., and Darlene (John) Johnson of Webbville; and an ex-daughter-in-law, Anna Hill of Portsmouth, Ohio. He had 29 grandkids; 57 great-grandkids; several great-great-grandkids; several nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 17, 2009, at Young Funeral Home in Louisa by the Rev. Jim Osborne and the Rev. Leon May. Burial will be in Yatesville Memorial Gardens in Louisa.

Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.



Philip Earl Johnson (1950-2009)

Philip Earl Johnson, 58, of Kitts Hill, passed away Wednesday, May 13, 2009, in King's Daughters Medical Center in Ashland, Ky.

The Lawrence County, Ohio, native was born Oct. 17, 1950, the son of the late Paul and Ella Jane Blair Johnson.

Mr. Johnson was a 1968 graduate of Rock Hill High School, a former employee at AK Steel and a bus driver for the Rock Hill Local School District for eight years. He was a member of VFW Post 8850 and the Eagles, Moose and Elks lodges. He attended Sugar Creek Missionary Baptist Church.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by a brother, Charles Johnson.

He is survived by a daughter, Terri Johnson of Ironton; a son, Josh Stapleton of Ironton; a grandson, Cody Damron of Ironton; a granddaughter, Katie Boyer of Ironton; three brothers, Paul R. Johnson, John Johnson and Watt Johnson, all of Ironton; and a special companion, Nancy McFann.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, May 18, 2009, at Phillips Funeral Home, 1004 S. Seventh St., Ironton, Ohio, by the Rev. Dale Maddy. Burial will be in Sugar Creek Cemetery.

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

Donations may be made to the Multiple Handicap Program, attn: Thomas C. Robinson, treasurer, 2325A County Road 26, Ironton, OH 45638.

Condolences may be sent to www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.



Danah Thomas

Danah L. Thomas, 45, of Ashland, died Wednesday in Ashland.

Carman Funeral Home in Flatwoods is in charge of arrangements, which are pending.



Michael Hartwell (1948-2009)

Michael R. Hartwell, 60, of South Shore, died Tuesday in Cabell Huntington Hospital in Huntington, W.Va.

He was born Sept. 14, 1948, in Fitchburg, Mass.

His wife, Patricia Hulbert Hartwell, survives.

The funeral and burial will be at the convenience of the family.

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

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mount Zion Apostolic Church in West Portsmouth, Ohio.



Betty Hamm

Betty Hamm, 78, of Flatwoods, died Thursday in Wurtland Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Evans Funeral Home in Raceland is in charge of arrangements, which are pending.



Walter Minnehan

Walter Minnehan, 77, of Flatwoods, died Thursday in Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital.

His wife, Zella Minnehan, survives.

Carman Funeral Home in Flatwoods is in charge of arrangements, which are pending.



Betty Sagraves (1929-2009)

Betty Sagraves, 79, of Columbus, Ohio, died Tuesday in Arbor West in Columbus.

She was born Dec. 19, 1929, in Cannonsburg.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Young Funeral Home in Louisa. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery in Louisa.

Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.



Anthony “Tony” Salisbury (1954-2009)

Anthony “Tony” Salisbury, 54, of Lexington, died Monday at his residence.

He was born June 8, 1954, in London, England.

The funeral was at noon Thursday at Hall Funeral Home in Martin. Burial was in Salisbury Cemetery at Hunter.



Wilma Gilkison (1942-2009)

Wilma Jean Gilkison, 67, of Morehead, died Wednesday in the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington.

She was born Feb. 23, 1942, and was the wife of Robert “Bobby” Gilkison.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals in Morehead. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens.

Friends may call after 5 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Condolences may be sent to www.northcuttandson.com.



Joseph Chatfield

Joseph Franklin Chatfield died Thursday in King’s Daughters Medical Center.

His wife, Georgianna “Ann” Chatfield, survives.

Tracy Brammer Funeral Home in Ironton is in charge of arrangements, which are pending.