Joyce Gartin Dowdy (1931-2009)

Joyce Gartin Dowdy, 78, of Flatwoods, Ky., a loving wife, mother, and well-known photographer, died Thursday evening, Dec. 10, 2009, in King’s Daughters Medical Center.

She was born July 31, 1931, in Hannah, Ky., a daughter of the late Okie James and Opal Gambill Boggs.

She was also preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Dowdy on May 27, 2009, and a brother, Harold Ray Boggs.

She was retired from CSX as an administrative assistant and owner and proprietor of Joyce’s Studio.

She was a graduate of Blaine High School and Ashland Business College, a member of Wildwood First Church of God, attended Raceland First Baptist Church, was a member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority, where she formerly served as president, and a member of Hillandale Homemakers and former statewide president.

Surviving are two sons, Michael Gartin and wife, Joan of Lexington, Ky., and Schiem Gartin of Flatwoods; a brother, Okie C. Boggs and wife, Mary of Ashland; a sister, Carolyn Scott and husband, George Dewey of Flatwoods; a granddaughter, Heather Sallie and husband, Brent of Elizabethtown and a grandson, Matthew Gartin of Union, Ky.

She is also survived by nieces, nephews and a great-niece and a great-nephew as well as a host of family and friends.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009, at Steen Funeral Home-13th Street Chapel in Ashland by Pastor Steve Harris. Burial will be in Rose Hill Burial Park.

Friends may call from 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Friends may make contributions to the Wildwood First Church of God, 3500 S. 29th St., Ashland, Ky., or Raceland First Baptist Church, 700 Franklin Ave., Raceland, KY 41169.

Online condolences may be made to www.steenfuneralhomes.com

The family would like to express a very special thank you to her dear friends and the Ashland Dialysis Center, MTS drivers and her devoted caregiver, Phyllis Piercy.



Estil (Gene) Elvin Yates (1929-2009)

Estil (Gene) Elvin Yates, age 80, of Olive Hill, Ky., passed away Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009, in Veterans Administration Medical Center in Huntington, W.Va.

He was born Sept. 24, 1929, in Lawrence County, Ohio, the son of the late Kenneth Yates and Bessie (Blevins) Yates McFarland.

He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He is preceded in death by three brothers, Delmas Yates, Raymond Yates and Leroy Yates.

He is survived by his long-time companion, Martha Nunley. Other survivors include his five siblings, Harold Yates, Randolph (Emma) Yates, Leonard (Betty) Yates, Mattie Ruth McLeod and Juanita (Don) Inskeep, all of Flatwoods, Ky.; his three children, Jean Ann Davidson, Estil (Jr.) and Barbara (Kenny) Kelley, as well as four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

His ashes will be interred in Kentucky Veterans Cemetery North East upon its completion.

A memorial service and celebration of his life will be at Carman Funeral Home in Flatwoods on Monday, Dec. 14, 2009, starting at 11 a.m. with a memorial service at 11:30 a.m. officiated by Pastor Kevin Witt and Rev. Hyden Curnutt.

Donations may be made to the Humane Society in honor of his love of animals.



James Patton Spurlock (1942-2009)

James Patton Spurlock, 67, of Garrison, Ky., passed away Thursday, Dec.10, 2009, at his residence.

He was born April 28, 1942, in Louisa, Ky., a son of the late Fred and Dorothy Clay Spurlock. He was a self-employed electrician and plumber. He was a U.S. Marine veteran serving in Vietnam where he was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. The Lord blessed James with a gift of caring for animals and a special gift for connecting with the spirit of a child.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Emma Brooksey Spurlock.

His survivors include his wife, Gloria Flannery Spurlock; two daughters, Heather and Jonathon Hamilton of Grayson, Ky., and Spring and Canaan Whitt of Sandy Hook, Ky.; a special nephew, loved as a son, Steve Flannery of Denver, Colo.; three grandchildren, Courtney Heaberlin, James Colley and Summer Whitt; special aunt, Jane Pack of West Virginia and a special uncle, Jim Clay of Louisa.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009, at Malone Funeral Home in Grayson with Mike Green, officiating. Burial will be in Everman Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. tonight, Dec. 12, at the funeral home.



Mary Robertson (1922-2009)

Mary Etta Webb Robertson, 87, of Catlettsburg, formerly of Fort Gay, W.Va., died Thursday at her residence.

She was born Aug. 22, 1922, in Fort Gay.

Her husband, Willie Robertson, preceded her in death.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Morris Funeral Home in Wayne, W.Va. Burial will be in Robertson Cemetery in Fort Gay.

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



Ruby Harris (1918-2009)

Ruby Richmond Harris, 91, of Olive Hill, died Thursday in Golden Living Center in Vanceburg.

She was born April 6, 1918, in Lewis County.

Her husband, Shelby Harris, preceded her in death.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Globe Funeral Chapel in Olive Hill. Burial will be in Morgan Cemetery in Lewis County.

Friends may call at 5 p.m. Sunday and until time of service Monday at the funeral home.

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



Stephen Robertson (1957-2009)

Stephen Eugene Robertson, 52, of Charley, died Wednesday in Charley.

He was born July 26, 1957, in Lodi, Ohio.

A private funeral service and visitation will be held.

Wilson Funeral Home in Louisa is in charge of arrangements.

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



Bernard Patrick

Bernard Patrick, 71, of Salyersville, died Thursday.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at New Bethel Assembly Church of God.

Magoffin County Funeral Home in Salyersville is in charge of arrangements.



Mina Littleton (1937-2009)

Mina Butler Littleton, 72, of Morehead, died Thursday at her residence.

She was born April 6, 1937, in Fleming County.

Her husband, Orris Jay Littleton, preceded her in death.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Lane-Stucky-Gray Funeral Home in Morehead. Burial will be in Sardis Cemetery in Cranston.

Friends may call after 4 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Contributions may be made to Cranston Cemetery Association.

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



Phillip Moore (1954-2009)

Phillip Thomas Moore, 55, of Charley, died Wednesday in Charley.

He was born Sept. 1, 1954, in Louisa.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Spencer Free Will Baptist Church. Burial will be in Judd Cemetery in Charley.

Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. tonight at Wilson Funeral Home in Louisa.

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



Fred Roberts (1937-2009)

Fred Edmond Roberts, 72, of Louisa, died Dec. 5.

He was born June 25, 1937, in Ona, W.Va.

His wife, Olie Louise Spurlock Roberts, survies.

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

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



Erma Hankins (1931-2009)

Erma Jean Hankins, 78, of Ironton, died Thursday in Community Hospice Care Center in Ashland, Ky.

She was born Nov. 29, 1931, in Scioto County.

Her husband, Earl E. Hankins, survives.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Phillips Funeral Home in Ironton. Burial will be Zoar Cemetery.

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

Donations may be made to Community Hospice Care Center, 2330 Pollard Road, Ashland, KY 41101 or Sugar Creek Christian Academy, 94 County Road S, Ironton, OH 45638.

Condolences may be made to www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.