Margaret E. Johnson (1919-2009)

Margaret E. Johnson, age 90, passed away Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009, in Pickering House in Lancaster, Ohio.

She was born March 14, 1919, in Ashland, Ky., to the late Jesse and Katherine Hunt.

Margaret was an administrative assistant for the Ohio Bureau of Employment Services and was a member of Seton Parish Catholic Church in Pickerington.

Margaret is survived by sons, Charles (Melody) and Michael (Evelyn) Johnson; grandchildren, Robert (Melissa) Johnson, Katherine Johnson, Michelle (Randy) Blimes and Erin (Ross) Shaw; great-grandchildren, Sierra, Kali, Arwen, Lily and Rebecca; special niece, Terri (Harry) Conroy; brother, Tom (Audie) King; sisters-in-law, Faye King and Geneva Pinkston; brother-in-law, Ben (Bobbie) Johnson; and nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Margaret was preceded in death by her husbands, Howard B. Johnson and Don Brake; siblings, Helen Ball, William King, Joseph King and Patricia McKown.

Friends may visit from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday with a vigil service at 7:30 p.m. at the Dwayne R. Spence Funeral Home, 550 Hill Road North (St. Route 256), Pickerington, OH 43147.

A Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Seton Parish Catholic Church, 600 Hill Road North with Fr. James Klima, celebrant. Interment will follow at 1:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Cemetery, 6440 South High St., Columbus, OH 43137.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to FairHoPe Hospice, 282 Sells Road, Lancaster, OH 43130 in Margaret’s memory.

Online condolences may be made at www.spencefuneralhome.com.



Lunda Jackson “Jack” Baker Jr. (1927-2009)

Lunda Jackson “Jack” Baker Jr., age 82, of Ashland, Ky., died Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009, in King’s Daughters Medical Center in Ashland.

He was born Jan. 9, 1927, in Ashland, a son of the late Lunda Jackson Baker Sr. and Nellie Saunders Baker.

He retired from Armco Steel Co. as a machinist with more than 40 years of service. He was a WWII U.S. Navy veteran and a member of the Wildwood First Church of God.

Surviving are his wife of 63 years, Ruth Hollan Baker of Ashland; two sons, Garry Jackson Baker and his wife, Missi of Russell, Ky., and Tim L. Baker and his wife, Patti of Ashland; a brother, Ronald Lee Baker and his wife, Mary of Lexington, Ky.; six grandchildren, Matthew Jackson Baker, Alisa Baker (Chris) Warren, Angie Baker (Matt) Costa, Amy Elizabeth Baker, Ashley Ann Baker and Austin Duane Baker; and four great-grandchildren, Grayden Jackson Baker, Andrew Costa, Tyler Costa and Daniel Costa.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009, at Steen Funeral Home-Central Avenue Chapel in Ashland by the Rev. Steve Harris and the Rev. Greg Pennington. Burial will be in Rose Hill Burial Park in Ashland with military rites by American Legion Post 93 of Kenova.

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

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



Betty Pennington (1940-2009)

Betty Dingess Pennington, 69, of Ashland, passed away Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009, following an extended illness.

Betty was born June 10, 1940, in Wayne County, W.Va., to the late Reuben and Minerva Lycans Dingess.

She was a member of Meade Station Church of God.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Bill E. Pennington and three brothers, Bill, Ray and Ben Dingess.

Survivors include a son, Philip Pennington of Ashland; a daughter, Beth Ellen Ryan of Ashland; four brothers, Don Dingess of Athens, Tenn., Jay Dingess of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Jim Dingess of Greenup and Jerry Dingess of Ashland; two sisters, Bonnie Triplett and Rita Alley, both of Warfield, Ky.; and a beloved granddaughter, Alana Danielle Ryan.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009, at Caniff Funeral Home in Westwood by Rev. Robby Jordan. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Burial Park in Ashland.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home and one hour before the service on Wednesday.



Theo Lawson (1931-2009)

Theo Elwood “Red” Lawson, of Rush, Ky., now is in the presence of his Lord after his passing late Sunday evening, Oct. 25, 2009, in King’s Daughters Medical Center in Ashland.

Mr. Lawson was 78 years of age, born Jan. 15, 1931, in Blaine, Ky., a son of the late Charlie and Tillie Parker Lawson.

His wife, Roberta June Hogan Lawson, preceded him in death in 2006. Theo served honorably with the United States Army, was a driver for Valley Poultry, and attended Ross Chapel. He loved fishing, hunting and gardening.

Theo is survived by a daughter, Debra Lawson of Rush. Also preceding him in death are a brother, Mayo Lawson; and a sister, Stella Cassall.

A funeral service for Mr. Lawson will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009, at Kilgore & Collier Funeral Home on Panola Street in Catlettsburg. Words of comfort will be offered by Rev. Clell Lucas. Final rest will follow at Klaiber Cemetery in Rush.

Friends wishing to call on the Lawson family may do so from 10 a.m. until service time Wednesday at the funeral home.



Don M. Virgin (1923-2009)

Don M. Virgin, 85, of Greenup, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009, in Wurtland Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Don was born Dec. 23, 1923, in Peach Creek, W.Va., to the late Orin and Sadie E. May Virgin.

He was a retired carman’s helper for the CSX Railroad, a member of Greenup Lodge 89, F&AM;, a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason and a member of the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen and Wurtland First Missionary Baptist Church.

Don enjoyed gardening, selling produce, working and helping at Imel’s Family Greenhouse, as well as square dancing and going flea marketing.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Lorene Scott Virgin, whom he married July 14, 1943; two sons, Gale Virgin and his wife, Gayle, and Kyle Virgin and his wife, Lisa, both of Greenup; a daughter, Connie Crum and her husband, Don, of Wurtland; a sister, Alberta Scott of Wheelersburg, Ohio; six grandchildren, Stephanie Bentley, Chris Crum, Todd Virgin, Kylie Virgin, Elissa Virgin and Ethan Virgin; and five great-grandchildren, Zachary Virgin, Payton Virgin, Sophia Virgin, Kristen Crum and Nathanial Crum.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. today, Oct. 27, 2009, at Wright’s Funeral Home in Greenup by Brother Marvin Boggs and Brother Butch Kiger. Burial will be in Virgin Cemetery at Argillite.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Community Hospice Care Center, 2330 Pollard Road, Ashland, KY 41101 or a local Alzheimer’s foundation.

Condolences may be sent to www.wrightsfuneralhome.com.



Lucille Nelson

Lucille Nelson, of Huntington, W.Va., wife of Lloyd Nelson, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Rufus and Anna Paul; one twin sister, Louise Akers; and two brothers, Forest and Alfred Paul.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by two daughters, Judy Smith and her husband, Bob of Cincinnati, Ohio, and June Gesner of Cincinnati, Ohio; two granddaughters, Tiffany Baker and her husband, Seth who are currently teaching in South Korea and Angela Glaser and her husband, Jeff of Cincinnati; one great-grandchild, Gavin Glaser of Cincinnati; one niece, Connie Jack of Kenova, W.Va.; and a host of other extended family.

Mrs. Nelson was of the Methodist faith and a member of Greenbriar Heights Garden Club, Stitch Sewing Club, Sugarwood Womens Golf League, VFW Ladies Auxiliary 9738 and Order of Eastern Star Chapter 89. She also loved to dance and was a member of several dance clubs.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009, at Beard Mortuary in Huntington with Pastor Bill Haynes officiating. Entombment will follow at Ridgelawn Memorial Park in Huntington.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today, Oct. 27, 2009 at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be conveyed to the family at www.beardmortuary.com.



Dwain Stepp (1942-2009)

Dwain Stepp, 67, of Ashland, died Sunday at his residence.

He was born Jan. 5, 1942.

His wife, Irene Clark Stepp, survives.

The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Lazear Funeral Home in Ashland. Burial will be in Highland Memorial Gardens.

Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.



Phillip Stacey Sr. (1943-2009)

Phillip James Stacey Sr., 66, of Harrodsburg, died Sunday at his residence.

He was born Feb. 17, 1943, in Ashland.

A graveside service will be at 1 p.m. today at Barney-Fultz Cemetery in Carter County.

Oney-Henderson Funeral Home in Olive Hill is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be made to www.globefc.com.



Jake Crance (1929-2009)

Jake Crance, 69, husband of Mary Ann Crance, of Ashland, died Sunday.

He was born Nov. 2, 1929, in Ashland.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Centenary United Methodist Church in Ashland.

Caniff Funeral Home in Westwood is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Centenary United Methodist Church Building Fund, 2901 Winchester Ave., Ashland, KY 41101 or a charity of your choice.



Lawrence Pack

Lawrence W. Pack, 75, of Firebrick, died Monday at his residence.

Roberson Funeral Home in South Shore is in charge of arrangements, which are pending.



Vadnia Adkins (1927-2009)

Vadnia Adkins, 82, of Bypro, wife of the late Seth Adkins, died Oct. 22 in Riverview Healthcare Center in Prestonsburg.

She was born June 6, 1927, in Melvin.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. today at Hall Funeral Home in Martin. Burial will be in Davidson Memorial Gardens in Ivel.



Leonard Akers Sr. (1915-2009)

Leonard Akers Sr., 94, of Banner, husband of the late Susan Hamilton Akers, died Monday in Highlands Regional Medical Center in Prestonsburg.

He was born Sept. 24, 1915, in Floyd County.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Hall Funeral Home in Martin. Burial will be in Akers Cemetery in Banner.

Friends may call at 5 p.m. today at the funeral home.



Virnel Newsome

Virnel Newsome, 87, died Monday in Pikeville Medical Center.

Thacker Funeral Home in Pikeville is in charge of arrangements, which are pending.



Kennith Marcum (1957-2009)

Kennith Lee Marcum, 52, of Louisa, died Monday in Wurtland Rehabilitation Center.

She was born Feb. 26, 1957, in Louisa.

A graveside service will be at 2 p.m. today at Greenlawn Cemetery in Louisa.

There is no visitation.

Wilson Funeral Home in Louisa is in charge of arrangements.

Condolences may be made to www.timeformemory.com/wilson.



Hollie Sparks (1914-2009)

Hollie N. Sparks, 95, of Sitka, died Sunday in Community Hospice Care Center in Ashland.

He was born June 18, 1914, in Johnson County.

Surviving are his wife, Wanda Bowens Sparks.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Jones-Preston Funeral Home in Paintsville. Burial will be in Sparks Cemetery in Sitka.

Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.



Stephen Branham (1947-2009)

Stephen Elliott “Steve” Branham, 61, of Betsy Layne, husband of Judith Carolyn “Judy” Branham, died Saturday at his residence.

He was born Nov. 29, 1947, in Pikeville.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Hall Funeral Home in Martin. Burial will be in Bush Cemetery in Harold.

Friends may call at 6 p.m. tonight at the funeral home.



Linda Miranda (1940-2009)

Linda Lou Ferrell Miranda, 69, of Huntington, W.Va., died Saturday in King’s Daughters Medical Center.

She was born May 9, 1940, in Mingo County, W.Va.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Phillips Funeral Home in Ironton. Burial will be in White Chapel Memorial Gardens in Barboursville, W.Va.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be made to www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.