Obituaries

Viola Thomas, 89, of Columbia, KY died Friday, April 16, 2021 at her residence.  She was born in Barbourville, KY on April 2, 1932 to the late John and Delfie Peace Tye and was the wife of the late William David Thomas.

Survivors include a son David Thomas of Columbia, KY; a grandson David Leon Thomas (Amy) of Columbia, KY; a great-grandchild Jaden Thomas and a sister Ruby Tye of Louisville, KY.

In addition to her parents and husband she was preceded in death by two sister’s Retha Tye and Ruth Beer and a brother George Tye.

A public visitation will be on Monday, April 19, 2021 from 10:00am-12:00pm at Stotts-Phelps-McQueary Funeral Home with a private graveside service to follow.

For the health and respect of the family, please follow all rules for social distancing and everyone attending will be required to wear a mask or face covering.

Donna Jean Akers, 59, of Columbia, Kentucky, died Saturday, April 10, 2021 at her home.

The family has chosen cremation and a private memorial service will be held at a later date.

Grissom-Martin Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

www.grissommartin.com

Genevia Harden, 89, of Columbia, Kentucky, died Monday, April 5, 2021 at T.J. Samson Community Hospital in Glasgow.

She was born May 5, 1931, in Pineville, Kentucky, to the late Warren and Eller Markle Thompson.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, B.C. Harden, her daughter, Judy Carol Harden Pickerell and a niece, Donna Ramey.

Genevia was a member of Columbia Church of Christ and former owner/operator of Harden’s Discount and Auction Barn.

Survivors include:

One brother – Raymond Thompson of Louisville

Nieces & Nephews – Brenda Snook (Stephen) of Simpsonville, Janet Knaster of Louisville, Richard Harden (Jackie) of Campbellsville, Kelvin Harden of Louisville, Kathy Yount (Darrell) of Shelbyville

Several other relatives and friends

Funeral service – Friday, April 9, 2021 at 1:00 P.M. at Grissom-Martin Funeral Home with Hugh Gannon officiating

Burial in Harden Cemetery

Grissom-Martin Funeral Home in charge of arrangements

www.grissommartin.com

Joe Stanley Epperson, Jr., 73, eldest child of Joe Stanley Epperson, Sr. and Dorothy Garnett Epperson, passed away on Wednesday morning, March 10, 2021 while in the kind and compassionate care of the Palliative Care team at Baptist Hospital East in Louisville.

Joe was known as “Junior” from the time of his birth on September 30, 1947, in Columbia, KY. During his youth, he became a member of the First Baptist Church of Columbia. After his graduation from Adair County High School in 1965, he joined the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. He served his country with dignity as evidenced by his honorable discharge upon completing his service requirements.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his younger Epperson brothers — Frank Rodney in 1975, Henry Wayne “affectionately known as Mr. Bounce”  in 2013, and James Marshall “known first as Baby Brother, then Babe” passed away in 2016.

Survivors remaining to remember Joe are two sisters, Susan L. Epperson and S. Elaine Epperson, both of Elizabethtown, KY.   Remaining family include his niece, Jeanine M. Barnett of Campbellsville, KY and his nephew, Daunque L. Epperson of Louisville.  His three great nieces are Sydnei Epperson, LaNiya Epperson and Dayonna Bell. Great-great niece Sophia Epperson is not to be left out; she is small yet full of great promise. Great nephews include Aaron Barnett, Ceondre Barnett, and Thayden Epperson. Survivors also include an aunt, Minnie L. Clayborn, a number of cousins and friends.

Grissom-Martin Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.

In accordance with his wishes, a memorial service for Joe will be held at a later date.

Contributions in his memory may be made to either a homeless shelter, a women’s shelter, a food pantry or any other charity of choice. Additionally, one might choose to provide help to someone in need of a helping hand or, simply, a kind word.

Joe Epperson, Jr.’s family is forever grateful for all the wonderful acts of kindness shown during this time.

As Junior would say in his later years:

“May God bless you and keep you in His good graces.”

www.grissommartin.com

Winfrey Gerald “Mick” Burton, 76, of Columbia, Kentucky, died Monday, April 05, 2021 at his home.

He was born February 26, 1945, to the late Carl and Altha Pyles Burton.  Mick was a licensed barber, had managed Burton Brothers Service Station for over 20 years, a member of Emory’s Chapel United Methodist Church where he faithfully attended until his recent illness.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Keith “Kevin” Burton, Clifton “Wayne” Burton and one sister, JoAnn Burton.

Survivors include:

His wife of 49 years – Nancy Turner Burton of Columbia

His son – Adam Gerald Burton (Amber) of Edmonton

Two brothers – Rabon “Toon” Burton (Ethel) of Columbia and Ralph (Peggy) Burton of Liberty

Two sisters – Frances Hatch (Marvin) of Mt. Washington and Gail Camfield (Randy) of Columbia

Several nieces, nephews and a host of extended family and friends

Funeral service – Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. at Grissom-Martin Funeral Home with Bro. Richie Coomer and Bro. Adam Burton officiating

Burial in Haven Hill Cemetery

Visitation after 5:00 P.M. Tuesday

ALL ATTENDEES TO THE VISITATION AND/OR FUNERAL ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR A FACIAL COVERING AND FOLLOW THE HEALTHY AT WORK GUIDELINES.

Casket Bearers:  Mike Burton, Larry Burton, Barry McGaha, Logan Turner, Justin Cox, Mike Loy

Grissom-Martin Funeral Home in charge of arrangements

www.grissommartin.com

Nellie Nancy Burton, 80, of Columbia, died Sunday, April 4, 2021 at Baptist Health in Elizabethtown.  She was born in Adair County on April 26, 1940 to the late Charlie “Toad” and Clara Opal Burton Harmon.

Mrs. Burton was a member of the Calvary Temple Church where she was a youth Sunday School teacher for many years.  She was a former employee of Fruit of the Loom and Oshkosh and loved to quilt and spend time with her family and friends.

Survivors include her husband of 65 years Otis Burton; four children Mary Betty Helm (Kenny), Morris Benny Burton and John Jeffro Burton (Karen) all of Columbia, and Marilyn Bessie Judd (Tony) of Greensburg; nine grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and one on the way; two brothers Salvester Harmon of Illinois and Earnest Harmon of Glasgow, and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by two children Mae Beverly Burton and Michael Bradley Burton, and a granddaughter Tonia Rena Helm.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at Stotts-Phelps-McQueary Funeral Home with burial in the Haven Hill Cemetery.  Visitation will be on Tuesday from 2 – 8 p.m., and continue on Wednesday morning until time for the service.

Bro. Troy McWhorter and Bro Ralph Foster will be officiating and pallbearers will be Dale Smothers, Tim Akin, Wesley Bryant, Brandon Spoon, Trevor McWhorter and Isaac South.

For the health and respect of the family, please follow all rules for social distancing and everyone attending will be required to wear a mask or face covering

Mitchell Bault, 62, of Cane Valley, Kentucky, died Thursday, April 1, 2021 at his home.

He was born March 4, 1959, in Campbellsville, Kentucky, to the late Leonard and Ernestine Grant Bault.  Mitchell retired from the Adair County School System after 32 years and was currently employed by John Arnold Farms.  He was a member and former Deacon and Board Member of Cane Valley Christian Church.

Survivors include:

His wife – Valeria Shepherd Bault of Cane Valley

One son – Daniel Bault of Cane Valley

One sister – Diana Chapman of Campbellsville

One brother – Neal Bault (Jennifer) of Knifley

Nieces and nephews – Bryan Chapman (Amy), Brad Chapman (Shemekia), Sarah Showalter (Brian), Bethany and Maelynn Bault

His father-in-law and mother-in-law – Milton and Geneva Shepherd of Columbia

Brother-in-law and sister-in-law – Joe and Peggy Shepherd of Columbia

A special brother – John Arnold (Lisa) and family of Columbia

Several other relatives and friends

Funeral service – Monday, April 5, 2021 at 1:00 P.M. at Grissom-Martin Funeral Home with Bro. Steve Martin and Bro. Gene Grasham officiating

Burial in Cane Valley Cemetery

Visitation after 6:00 P.M. Sunday

ALL ATTENDEES TO THE VISITATION AND/OR FUNERAL ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR A FACIAL COVERING AND FOLLOW HEALTHY AT WORK GUIDELINES

Grissom-Martin Funeral Home in charge of arrangements

Mary Louise Judd Merrell, 77, of Columbia, Kentucky, died Monday, March 29, 2021 at her home.

She was born December 1, 1943, in Adair County, to the late Homer and Ella Jessie Pierce.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Billy Gene Judd, five brothers, Raymond, Earl, Bobby, Arnold & H.W. Pierce, one sister, Annie Pearl Hammond and a grandchild, Rebecca Judd.

Louise was a member of Mt. Gilead Christian Church, worked at Osh Kosh B’Gosh in Columbia and Clifty Farms in Paris, Tennessee for many years.

Survivors include:

One daughter – Cindy Melson and husband Wesley of Columbia

Two sons – Ricky Judd and special friend, Phyllis Hadley of Greensburg, Tommy Judd and his wife Donna of Paris, Tennessee

One sister – Dorothy Cowan of Columbia

Five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren

A special family friend – Lillian Moore of Greensburg

Several other relatives and friends

Funeral service – Friday, April 2, 2021 at 1:00 P.M. at Grissom-Martin Funeral Home with Bro. Robbie Harmon officiating

Burial in Barnes Cemetery in Breeding

Visitation after 10:00 A.M. Friday

ALL ATTENDEES TO THE VISITATION AND/OR FUNERAL ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR A FACIAL COVERING AND FOLLOW HEALTHY AT WORK GUIDELINES.

Casket Bearers – Joe Hale, Michael Matney, Chris Judd, Jonathan Lowe, Chris Pierce, Danny Pierce

Honorary – Don Richards & James Russell Pierce

Grissom-Martin Funeral Home in charge of arrangements

www.grissommartin.com

Gary Keith West, 52, of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, died Sunday, March 21, 2021 at Baptist Health Hardin in Elizabethtown.

He was born February 19, 1969 in Adair County.  Preceding him is death is his mother Sharilyn Page and Paternal Grandmother, Lucille West.  He was a member of Local Union 669.

Survivors include:

His wife – Sandy Price West of Elizabethtown

Two sons – Jeffrey Lucas and Bryce Lucas both of Elizabethtown

One daughter – Kristina West of Elizabethtown

His father and step-mother – Freeman and Joyce West of Columbia

Three brothers – Adam (Ashley) West of Boulder, Colorado, Brian West and Brad West both of Columbia

Two sisters – Ginger (Shawn) Lowery of Elizabethtown, Amanda Denney of Somerset

One step-brother – Dale Seaborne of Campbellsville

His Maternal Grandmother – Lou Vena Bardin Leigh of Columbia

Three grandchildren – Trinity Lucas, Jolene and Kaliya West

Several other relatives and friends

Funeral service – Friday, March 26, 2021 at 1:00 P.M. (CDT) at Grissom-Martin Funeral Home with Pastor Brent Piatt officiating

Burial in Elizabethtown City Cemetery

Visitation after 11:00 A.M. (CDT) on Friday

ALL ATTENDEES TO THE VISITATION AND/OR FUNERAL ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR A FACIAL COVERING AND FOLLOW THE HEALTHY AT WORK GUIDELINES.

Grissom-Martin Funeral Home in charge of arrangements

www.grissommartin.com

Sandra Neat, 64, of Columbia, Kentucky, died Sunday, March 21, 2021 at her home.

She was born January 28, 1957, in Adair County, to the late Tommie Ray Burton and Margie Lewis Burton.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers and one sister, Barry and James Burton and Carol Neat.  Sandra was a member of Tabernacle Christian Church.

Survivors include:

Her husband – Jimmy Neat of Columbia

Two daughters & sons-in-law – Karen and Mark Mowers, Tonya and John Speer all of Columbia

Two sisters – Jenny Stotts of Campbellsville and Bernadine Burton of Columbia

Three grandchildren – Bryce Judd, Trevor and Jenna Speer

Several other relatives and friends

Funeral service – Thursday, March 25, 2021 at 1:00 P.M. at Grissom-Martin Funeral Home with Bro. Vitis Bailey officiating

Burial in New Hope Cemetery

Visitation after 4:00 P.M. Wednesday

ALL ATTENDEES TO THE VISITATION AND/OR FUNERAL ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR A FACIAL COVERING AND FOLLOW THE HEALTHY AT WORK GUIDELINES.

Grissom-Martin Funeral Home in charge of arrangements

Billy Joe Huddleston, Sr., 70, of Glensfork, KY died Saturday, March 20, 2021 at Pickett County Care and Rehab in Byrdstown, TN.  He was born in Barren County, KY on September 18, 1950 to the late Ben and Rachel Wheet Huddleston.

Survivors include his wife Lisa Huddleston of Glensfork, KY; four children Billy Joe Huddleston, Jr., Cheryl Mitchum (Stevie), Anita Huddleston and Barbara Huddleston all of Glensfork; a grandchild Cassie Meyer (Thomas) of Columbia, KY and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two siblings Bobby Ray Huddleston and Darlene Melson.

Mr. Huddleston chose cremation and no services are scheduled at this time.  Stotts-Phelps-McQueary Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Clifton Davis McGaha, Jr., 83, of Columbia, KY died Sunday, March 21, 2021 at T. J. Health Columbia.  He was born in Adair County to the late Clifton and Bessie Hughes McGaha.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife Clarice Burton McGaha and two siblings Basil Dabney and Nell Rooks and a special friend Adrian Conover.

Mr. McGaha was the former Adair County Sheriff and a member of the Adair County Jaycees, Hill & Valley Saddle Club and Hood Masonic Lodge #839.

Survivors include three children Russ McGaha (Barbara), Sandra New (Tommy) and Jan Leischner (Tim Horstman) all of Columbia, KY; seven grandchildren Ashley Froedge (Frankie), Misty Torres (Mario), Shannon Fowles (Carl Rowe), Jason Pendleton (Kelli), Landon Leischner (Felicia), Kyle Leischner and Aland Leischner; 13 great-grandchildren; a special friend Charlie Lloyd of Columbia and his K-9 companion Blue.

Mr. McGaha chose cremation and a memorial service will be 1:00pm Friday at the Bryant Cemetery.  Stotts-Phelps-McQueary Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Leonard D. England, 85, passed away Monday, March 15, 2021 at his home in Breeding, KY after a long illness. He was born in Dirigo, Kentucky on May 13, 1935 to the late Owen and Vernie Lee Pelston England.

Retired from G.E. after 35 years and continued farming up until the time of his illness. He was Cattleman of the Year in 1991. He was a member and former Chaplain of Columbia Masonic Lodge #96, a 32nd degree Mason for 42 years and a Shriner. He worked with Kosair Charities and was an avid participant in many children’s charities.  He was a faithful member of Wells Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. He loved to tell stories and never met a stranger. He was a dedicated Christian, good husband, and a good father that will be greatly missed.

Survived by wife of 32 years, Bertha Dickson England of Breeding; 4 children, Teresa Lavender (Ray French) of Jeffersonville, IN, Tim England (Jerri Hack) of Louisville, KY, Cheryl Tarter (Kenny) of Columbia, KY and Teddy England (Tina) of LaGrange, KY; a step-son Doug Page (Tina) of Edmonton, KY;  9 grandchildren, April Brown, Amy Wilson, Terri Linder, Leonard Lavender, Bryce Gilligan, Jared England, Cheyenne England, Jenny Page and Sierra Page; 15 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren; 4 sisters, Lucille Troutman (Fred) of Frankfort, KY, Carol Roach (James Earl) of Louisville, KY, Martha Leach of Edmonton KY and Johnietta Jessie of Edmonton, KY; a brother-in-law Ronnie Jessie of Columbia, KY and a host of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a sister Falyola Jessie, a great-grandson Gage Wilson and a niece Becky Holsclaw.

Funeral services will be 2:00pm Saturday, March 20, 2021 at Stotts-Phelps-McQueary Funeral Home with burial in the Chestnut Grove Cemetery.  Visitation will be on Friday from 3:00-8:00pm and will continue on Saturday morning until time for the service at Stotts-Phelps-McQueary Funeral Home.

Bro. Charles Doolin will be officiating and pallbearers will be Leonard Lavender, Bryce Gilligan, Jayden Willis, Riley Thompson, Dwayne Jessie and Barry Roach.  Honorary pallbearers will be Todd Roach, David Jessie, James Ray Roach, Mark Dickson and Jared England.

For the health and respect of the family, please follow all rules for social distancing and everyone attending will be required to wear a mask or face covering.

In lieu of flowers donation may be made to Kosair Charities or St. Jude Children Hospital.

 

Treva Mae Richards, 79, of Russell Springs, KY died Friday, March 12, 2021 at her residence.  Born in Adair County she is the daughter of the late Everett and Betty Mae Roy Bryant and wife of the late Bobby Richards.

Mrs. Richards was a member of the 3 Trees Church and a former active member of the Oak Grove Church of God while her husband was serving as the Pastor.  Treva and Bobby were foster parents to many children over the years and supporters of the Church of God Children’s Home in Pigeon Forge, TN.

Survivors include two sons Greg Richards (Jackie) of Mt. Juliet, TN and Harold Richards (Beverly) of Russell Springs; eight grandchildren Jacob and Cullen Belcher, Justin, Michaela, Luke, Gideon and Raylan Richards and Cami Byers; two great grandchildren Odin and Emmie Belcher; five sisters Geneva Lee of Columbia, Myrtie Burton of Russell Springs, Sue Luttrell (Bill) of Russell Springs, Lois Roy (Dale) of Columbia and Sharon Gilbert (Donnie) of Jamestown and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband she was preceded in death by two brothers Lemuel and Jackie Bryant.

Funeral services will be 10:00am Monday, March 15, 2021 at Stotts-Phelps-McQueary Funeral Home with burial in the Freedom Cemetery.  Visitation will be on Sunday from 1:00pm-5:00pm at Stotts-Phelps-McQueary Funeral Home.

For the health and respect of the family, please follow all rules for social distancing and everyone attending will be required to wear a mask or face covering.

The funeral service will be live-streamed at 10:00am Monday on Stotts-Phelps-McQueary Funeral Home Facebook Page.