Kentucky Marriage Records by CountyJAMES DONOVAN
James (Jimmy) Geffinger Donovan, 81, formerly of Cane Run Street, died Thursday, February 24, 2000 at the Veteran's Administration Medical Center in Lexington.
Born October 25, 1918 in Mercer County, he was the son of the late Isaiah Donovan and Hazel Geffinger Donovan.
He attended the University of Kentucky and was a former draftsman in the City Engineers Office.
He was a World War II veteran of the U. S. Army and received three Purple Hearts.
He was a well known local historian of Harrodsburg, a former member of the National Rifle Association; life member of VFW Post 6935 and a member of Douglas Laws Post #52, American Legion.
He was a member of the Harrodsburg Christian Church.
Survivors include: one cousin, Mrs. Jersey Clark, Columbia, SC.
Graveside services with military rites will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, March 9, at Spring Hill Cemetery with Dr. David Hartman officiating.
Pallbearers will be James Herbert Ison, Stephen Bailey, Frank Trisler, Robert Brasington and Jason Bugg.
Alexander and Royalty Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
There will be no visitation.
VERNA STEELE
Verna McClain Steele, 87, 223 Dudley Drive, died Tuesday, March 7, 2000 at the James B. Haggin Memorial Hospital Extended Care.
Born July 4, 1912 in Spencer County, she was the daughter of the late Clarence and Lou Robinson McClain. She was the widow of Onis Steele.
She was a homemaker and a member of the Calvary Baptist Church where she was in the Silver Bells Sunday School class.
Survivors include: one son, Donald C. Steele, Harrodsburg; one sister, Goldie Devine, Harrodsburg; three grandchildren and five great grandchildren.. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Nancy Steele, and one sister, Virgie Dossett.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 10, at the Alexander and Royalty Funeral Home with burial in Spring Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Thursday and after 7:00 a.m. Friday until the time of service.
TRUDY RANSDELL
Trudy Garriott Ransdell, 79, of 109 Cherry Drive, died Tuesday, March 7, 2000 at her residence.
Born April 26, 1920 in Mercer County, she was the daughter of the late James C. and Mary W. Coleman Garriott.
She had worked as a school teacher at Salvisa and in the Harrodsburg School System for some 32 years.
She was a member of Kirkwood Baptist Church where she was a Sunday School teacher and director of WMU for many years.
She was a member of the Mercer Retired Teachers Association, the National Education Association, the Kentucky Education Association and the National Organization for Voting Rights of Women.
She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Eastern Kentucky University.
Survivors include: her husband, James Garnett Ransdell, Harrodsburg; one brother, Jack Garriott, Harrodsburg; three sisters, Adele Ransdell, Harrodsburg, Ruth Bunton, Lexington, and Jane Stevens, Danville. She was preceded in death by a son, Danny Ransdell.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 10, at the Ransdell Funeral Chapel with Rev. Larry Redding and Rev. Ray Coates officiating. Burial will be in Spring Hill Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Marvin Ridenour, John Bunton, Jim Stevens, David Ransdell, Franklin Ransdell and Randy Ransdell. Honorary bearers are members of her Sunday School Class, Ransdell’s Reapers.
Memorials are suggested to Heritage Hospice.
Visitation will be at the funeral chapel from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Thursday.
WENDELL BELEW Sr.
Rev. M. Wendell Belew, Sr., 77, of Rome, GA, died Wednesday, March 8, 2000 as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident on February 24.
Born May 4, 1922 in Keefer, he was the husband of Edna Record Belew of Rome, GA, formerly of Harrodsburg.
Dr. Belew was a Southern Baptist minister, missions administrator at the Southern Baptist Home Mission Board, and a seminary professor and author.
He was a graduate of Georgetown College and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He had served as pastor of First Baptist Church of Mt. Vernon, Director of Mountain Missions for the Kentucky Baptist Convention, Director of Church-centered Missions at the Southern Baptist Home Mission Board in Atlanta, as well as other positions until his retirement in 1988. He had authored a number of books including several works on missions and two children’s books.
Dr. Belew had visiting professorships at the Southern, Southwestern, and Midwestern Theological Seminaries, the Yale Divinity School, Bethel College and Seminary, and Fuller Theological Seminary. He was past president of the American Society of Missiology, a member of the Board of Managers of the American Bible Society, a recipient of the 44th million copy of "Good News for Modern Man," and was co-founder of Southwest Atlantans for Progress in the mid-1960s. In 1983 he was awarded the Victor T. Glass Award for racial reconciliation.
Survivors, in addition to his wife, include: one son, M. Wendell Belew, Jr., Washington, DC; two daughters, Cathy Belew McGraw, Rome, GA and Belle Marcia Belew, Washington, DC; four grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Saturday, March 11, at the Second Avenue Baptist Church in Rome, GA. Graveside services were held Monday, March 13, at Spring Hill Cemetery in Harrodsburg, with Dr. Eugene Enlow officiating.
Memorials are suggested to the American Bible Society.
Ransdell Funeral Chapel was in charge of local arrangements.
JAMES PATTERSON
James Calvin (J. C.) Patterson, 84, of 1055 Talmage-Mayo Road, died Friday, March 10, 2000 at the James B. Haggin Memorial Hospital.
Born November 13, 1915 in Mercer County, he was the son of the late Goldman and Ethel Woods Patterson.
He was retired from Southern States Co-op after 27 years, a Christian and a member of Masonic Lodge #777.
He had served with the Kentucky National Guard.
Survivors include: his wife of 53 years, Emily Jenkins Patterson, Harrodsburg; two daughters, Judy Griffin and Lisa Patterson, both of Harrodsburg; two sisters, Grace Demaree, Louisville, and Edna Hogue, Mercer County;
Funeral services were conducted Monday, March 13, at the Alexander and Royalty Funeral Home with Bro. Richard Easterling and Bro. Donnie Releford officiating, Burial was in Spring hill Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Calvin Sims, Andrew Griffin, Nicholas Goodlett, Tom Goodlett, Jim Mattingly and James Hogue. Honorary bearers were W. A. (Boots) Miller, J. H. Whitenack, Rodney Thompson, William Currens, and Don Stiglich.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to Gideons International, PO Box 176, Harrodsburg, KY 40330, and/or The American Diabetes Association, 1941 Bishop Lane, Suite 110, Louisville, KY 40218.
MARVIN HARDIN
Marvin H. Hardin, 92, of the Deep Creek community of Washington County, died Thursday, March 9, 2000 at the Ephraim McDowell Medical Center in Danville.
A native of Washington County, he was born October 5, 1907 the son of the late James Allen and George Ann Baker Hardin.
He was a retired farmer and member of the Rockbridge Baptist Church and the J. Speed Smith Masonic Lodge #298 F&AM.
Survivors include: one son, Delaine Hardin, Harrodsburg; one daughter, Mrs. Harold (Mary Lavon) Devine, Springfield; one step-son, Desmond Smock, Harrodsburg; 15 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Effie Smock Hardin, May 23, 1997; five sisters, Hattie Hardin, Nettie Hardin, Debbie Hardin, Kate Hardin and Ethel Hardin; four brothers, Charlie Hardin, Neal Hardin, Roy Hardin and Prentive Hardin.
Funeral services were held Monday, March 13, at the Carey & Son Funeral Home with Rev. James Harley and Rev. J. H. Burns officiating. Masonic services were held Sunday evening with Billy Riggs delivering the eulogy. Burial was in the Peter Cemetery in Mackville.
Pallbearers were Martin Murphy, David Jacobs, Doug Devine, Jeff Rogers, Glen Devine and Glen Best.
NANNIE SHELTON
Nannie Mae Phillips Shelton, 74, of 353 Waller Avenue, Lexington, formerly of Frankfort, died Friday, March 10, 2000, at Vencor Hospital in Louisville.
A native of Mercer County, she was the daughter of the late Will and Eddie Lou Beatley Phillips.
She was a line worker, retired from Genesco Shoe Factory and a cook for the Franklin County School Board. She was a member of the North Fork Baptist Church.
Survivors include: two sons, Ronald Keith Shelton, Radcliff, and Danny Edward Shelton, Dortmund, Germany; seven grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at the Harrod Brothers Memorial Chapel, 312 Washington Street, Frankfort, Tuesday, with Rev. Steve Cook officiating. Burial was in the Switzer Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Ray Bailey, David Swift and Dwayne Shelton.
MILITARY RITES
Douglas Laws Post #52, American Legion, Post #6935, VFW and DAV Post #54 conducted Military Rites for James G. Donovan at Spring Hill Cemetery on March 9, 2000.
Those attending were Roy Freeman, Howard Howells, James L. Tewmey, Tom Denny, James Carey, Henry Pulliam, Marion Mershon, Curtis Sherrow.
Zenah Teater served as bugler.
DERA ROBINSON
Dera May Cornelius Robinson, 93, of 472 Mooreland Ave., died Thursday, March 16, 2000 at the Harrodsburg Health Care Center.
Born January 13, 1907 in Boyle County, she was the daughter of the late Charles Ira and Betty Jane Whittaker Cox. She was the widow of Carl Robinson and Robert Cornelius.
She was a homemaker and a member of Magnolia Street Christian Church.
Survivors include: a half brother, Elmer Rousey; and a half sister, Naomi Elder, both of Junction City; five grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, one step great grandchild; 10 great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two sons, J. C. "Robert" Phillips and Everett Phillips.
Funeral services were held Sunday, March 19, at the Ransdell Funeral Chapel with James Harley officiating. Burial was in the Spring Hill Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Christopher Phillips, Kevin Phillips, J. B. Reed, Bobby Wilham, John Phillips and Desi Nowlin.
KLYTA SIMS
Klyta Sims, 97, of 325 N. College Street, died Saturday, March 18, 2000 at the Haggin Memorial Hospital.
Born June 12, 1902 in Mercer County, she was the daughter of the late Hal C. and Nannie W. Chilton Gabhart. She was the widow of George C. Sims.
She was owner of Kentucky Growers Insurance Agency in Harrodsburg for many years, a member of the Harrodsburg Christian Church and the Christian Workers Sunday School class.
Survivors include several cousins.
Funeral services were held Monday, March 20, at the Ransdell Funeral Chapel with Dr. David Hartman officiating. Burial was in Spring Hill Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Bill Waggener, Guilford Waggener, Randy Baker, Holly H. Chilton, Allen Shewmaker, Jerry Johnson, Danny Chilton and Allen Whitenack.
Memorials are suggested to the Harrodsburg Christian Church.
