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Margie Watkins

    GREENVILLE – We rejoice that Monday, March 26, 2007, Margie Nell Watkins went to be with her Lord Jesus Christ. She fought a long, hard battle with sickness for many years and was a person who knew the risks involved, but was always ready to try to improve her health. She had many people who helped in her struggle and she grew to love every one of them. Now in Heaven, she has feet and legs to run and feels no more pain. She lived in Greenville, but died in Daviess County where she had been living and people had been taking care of her.
    Born in Muhlenberg County Nov. 24, 1918, she was the daughter of the late Edgar and Flora Allen McDonald and was raised in the Nebo community. She was a charter member of New Harmony Baptist Church in Bremen. She was a faithful member and had many positions she was involved in for many years. She taught Sunday school, Bible school, church training, WMU and did anything she could do to serve her Lord. She loved to sing, especially in the choir at church and even sang in quartets with her brother when she was younger. She attended Mercer Baptist Church in Powderly for many years. She was a nurse aide for 19 1/2 years at Muhlenberg Community Hospital and though it was hard work, she loved what she did and the knowledge she gained helped her later with her struggles in the illness that came her way. When she was able to go places, she had many clubs in which she belonged. Young at Heart, Fun Over Forty, Spice of Life, Greenville Senior Homemakers, of which she was secretary/treasurer, Midland School Reunion committee, of which she was secretary/treasurer for many years, Women's Rook Gang and the Order of Eastern Star 64 Chapter. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ned Watkins in 1971, a sister, Mae Garrett, and two brothers, Clarence McDonald and James McDonald.    Survivors include a son, Donald T. (Betty Lou) Watkins of Greenville; three daughters, Barb (Don) Wright of Newburgh, Ind., Sue (Tom) Spurlock of Greenville and Mary (Justin) Camplin of Central City; a sister, Helen Harper of Greenville; four brothers, Charles McDonald of Indiana, Ray McDonald of San Leandro, Calif., Lee McDonald of San Antonio, Tex. and Billy McDonald of Stuart, Fla.; eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; many nieces and nephews; and several special people, Betty Forehand, Dorothy Danner, Charles Knight and BJ.
    Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. March 30 at Tucker Funeral Home with the Revs. Curtis McGehee and Dan Yeager officiating. Burial followed in Evergreen Cemetery in Greenville.


Loretta Fern Simpson

    BEECH CREEK – Loretta Fern Simpson, 68, died Thursday, March 29, 2007 at her residence.
    Born in Breckinridge County Dec. 17, 1937, she was a homemaker and a member of Union Ridge General Baptist Church.
    Survivors include a husband, Lee Simpson; a son, Eddie Simpson of Beech Creek; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
    Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. March 31 at Tucker Beechmont Funeral Home with the Rev. Mickey Travis officiating. Burial followed in Union Ridge Cemetery in Belton.


Margaret Hope Jones Neathamer

    DRAKESBORO – Margaret Hope Jones Neathamer, 89, died Thursday, March 29, 2007. She fell asleep at home, fully prepared to begin her new life in Heaven.
    Born in Drakesboro June 25, 1917, she was the daughter of the late John Pierce and Minn Ora Purdy Jones. As a child, she became a member of Drakesboro Baptist Church and played the piano and/or organ for Sunday services until she was 87 years old. She taught children's Sunday school and was a GA leader for many years. Her favorite position at church was teacher of the "Willing Workers" class of adult women, which she taught until she was 86 years old. She graduated from Drakesboro High School in 1934 and then attended Bethel College for Women in Hopkinsville. She graduated from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, receiving her BA degree. She taught her entire career in Muhlenberg County, teaching English briefly at Central City and Hughes-Kirk. She taught English and French for many years at Drakesboro High School, retiring in 1979. After retiring, she was active with adult literacy and the Duncan Cultural Center in Greenville. She enjoyed writing both music and poetry and attended several poetry workshops under the direction of Jesse Stuart and Lee Pennington, well-known Kentucky authors. She also enjoyed writing songs with her friend, Ann Daugherty. One of their songs, "Mama, Call Me Home", was recorded by Jeannie C. Riley. She had the unique ability to care deeply for people and will be missed by many. She was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, Tom Neathamer, Sr. and a brother, John Pierce Jones, Jr. of Florida.
    Survivors include three children, Richard Purdy Neathamer and Rebecca Hope Neathamer (George Humphreys), both of Drakesboro and Tom Neathamer, Jr. (Connie Mefford) of Beechmont; two grandchildren, Beth Neathamer-Mohon (Brian Mohon) of Drakesboro and Tom Neathamer III of Franklin, Tenn.; and a great-grandchild, Hope Mohon of Drakesboro.
    Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. March 31 at Drakesboro First Baptist Church. Burial followed in Evergreen Cemetery in Greenville. Tucker Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.


Shirley Ann Sainato

    MADISONVILLE – Shirley Ann Sainato, 71, died Thursday, March 29, 2007 at her residence.
    Born in Akron, Ohio Oct. 22, 1935, she was the daughter of the late Nevil John Hill and Vivian Ann Bennewitz Hill. She was a homemaker and a member of Christ the King Catholic Church in Madisonville. She was preceded in death by a brother.
    Survivors include her husband, Carl Sainato; a daughter, Carla Ann Davis of Murray; two sons, Paul Martin Sainato of Lexington and John Adam Sainato of Hanson; and five grandchildren.
    Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. April 2 at Christ the King Catholic Church with Father Gerald Calhoun officiating. Burial followed in Odd Fellows Cemetery. Barnett-Strother Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Memorials may take the form of donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memorial and Honor Program; the Mahr Cancer Center; Christ the King Catholic Church; or Green River Hospice.


William Mosark "Jew Boy" Bethel

    GREENVILLE – William Mosark "Jew Boy" Bethel, 86, died Wednesday, March 28, 2007 at Muhlenberg Community Hospital in Greenville following a lengthy illness.
    Born in Muhlenberg County Feb. 28, 1921, he was the son of the late William Shell Bethel and Florence Hall Bethel. He was a member of Duvall's Chapel Baptist Church in Greenville and he was a truck driver for the Muhlenberg County Road Department, where he retired in 1987. He was a Sargeant in the United States Air Force during World War II, serving in European Theatre. He was preceded in death by  two sisters, Margaret Browning and Lorine Mercer, and two brothers, Billy Bethel and Clyde Bethel.
    Survivors include his wife of 36 years, Lorraine Smith Bethel; a brother, J.C. (Sharon) Bethel of Greenville; a sister, Roberta (Billy) Webb of Greenville; two grandchildren; and several loving nieces and nephews.
    Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. March 31 at Gary's Funeral Home with the Rev. Ken Miller officiating. Burial with military honors followed in Nebo Cemetery in Greenville.


Aurelia Beatrice Phillips Hatfield

    POWDERLY – Aurelia Beatrice Phillips Hatfield, 99, died Thursday, March 29, 2007 at Maple Manor Healthcare Center in Greenville.
    Born Feb. 29, 1908, she was the oldest member of Cherry Grove Church of Christ in Weir. She retired from the Muhlenberg County Board of Education after more than 20 years in food services at Muhlenberg Central and Longest Elementary schools. She loved to read, quilt, fish, garden and cook for her family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter S. Hatfield "Kite" in 1948; a brother, Freeman Phillips; a sister, Viola Simon Brice; three sons, Kite Hatfield, Bobby Gene Hatfield and James Freeman Phillips; a daughter, Patsy Phillips; a grandson, Kalen Hatfield; and a granddaughter, Mary Lou Hatfield.
    Survivors include two daughters, Marjorie (Jerry) Finley and Martha Muril (L.R.) Alverson; two sons, Douglas (Linda) Hatfield and Bobby (Connie) Phillips; daughter-in-law, Nadine Hatfield; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
    Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. April 1 at Gary's Funeral Home with the Revs. Robert Gardner and Jeremy Hatfield officiating. Burial followed in Rose Hill Cemetery in Central City.


Sarah Margaret Grayson

    LEWISBURG – Sarah Margaret Grayson, 89, died Friday, March 30, 2007 at Maple Manor Healthcare Center in Greenville.
    Born in Gus, Ky. Aug. 1, 1917, she was a homemaker and a member of the Lewisburg Church of Christ. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon Grayson and her father, John Marion Sumner.
    Survivors include two daughters, Janice Goldsmith and Nancy Knapp, both of Dunmor; a son, Roger Grayson of Portland, Tenn.; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
    Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. April 3 at Price Funeral Home, Inc. in Lewisburg with Patrick Kerstiens officiating. Burial followed in Lewisburg Cemetery in Lewisburg.


Kacy Bassham

    GREENVILLE – Kacy Bassham, 53, died Saturday, March 31, 2007 at Regional Medical Center in Madisonville following a lengthy illness.
    Born in Watseka, Ill. Nov. 26, 1953, he was owner of KC's Hobbies in Milford, Ill., where he was raised and lived for 49 years. Later he lived at Weir for four years and attended Joines Chapel Church in Clifty. He was a former employee of Big RC (Rural King) in Watseka and was in management at Rural King in Powderly. He was preceded in death by his mother, Lucille Thomas Bassham and a brother, Khris Bassham.
    Survivors include his wife, Marteta Skipworth Bassham; his father, Chris Bassham of Greenville; two step-sons, Troy (Mary) Rager and Ramie (Carrie) Rager, both of Elkton; two step-daughters, Stacey (Joe) Hudson and Jennifer Lear, both of Greenville; four step-granddaughters, Rebecca Rager, Destiny Rager and Autumn Rager, all of Elkton and Shelby Hudson of Greenville; a step-grandson, Rhett Rager of Elkton; and a niece, Jennifer (Eric) Towell of Missouri.
    Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. April 4 at Gary's Funeral Home with the Revs. Curtis Yarbrough and Jerry Sweeney officiating. Burial will follow in Joines Chapel Cemetery in Clifty. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. April 3 at the funeral home.


William Howard "Billy" Bandy

    GREENVILLE – William Howard "Billy" Bandy, 90, died Sunday, April 1, 2007 at Muhlenberg Community Hospital following a lengthy illness.
    Born in Greenville June 13, 1916, he was the son of the late Ora Slayton Bandy and Maynie Johnson Bandy. He served with the 93 Bomber group in the United States Air Force during World War II. He worked with Barnes Motors in Greenville before managing and owning Greenville Loan Company for 30 years before retiring. He was a past grand master of Pond River Masonic Lodge #244 in Greenville and he was secretary, treasurer and sexton of Evergreen Cemetery for 44 years. He was the treasurer of Greenville Independent Schools and the secretary of Greenville Post 80 American Legion for 24 years. He was a farmer of the Bandy Family Farm for 60 years where Muhlenberg South High School now stands. He was Greenville City Judge pro tem for 24 years and was a member of the Greenville United Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Claude Mercer Bandy in 2000 and a brother, T. B. Bandy in 1989.
    Survivors include a son, Butch (June) Bandy of Conroe, Tex.; a grandson, Mike Bandy of Greenville; two great-grandchildren, Josh Bandy and Hannah Bandy, both of Owensboro.
    Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. April 3 at Gary's Funeral Home with the Rev. Vernon Perdue officiating. Burial followed with military honors in Evergreen Cemetery in Greenville.


Audra Elizabeth Ellis

    SACRAMENTO – Audra Elizabeth Ellis, 91, went to be with Jesus Saturday, March 31, 2007 from Riverside Manor Nursing Home in Calhoun.
    Born in Muhlenberg County Nov. 1, 1915, she was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Courtland Ellis in 2001 and a son, Courtland Dean Ellis.
    Survivors include a son, James Edward (Connie) Ellis of Sacramento; two daughters, Jean (Jim) Markwell of Sacramento and Marjorie (Elmo) McLaughlin of Rumsey; seven grandchildren, Ray and Jay Markwell, Greta (Stan) Lannum, Valerie (Timothy) Clark, Jimmy (Wendy) Ellis, Damen (Amy) Ellis and Darime (Candice) Ellis; three step-grandchildren, Kenny, Billy and David Blakeley; 10 great-grandchildren, Tristen Markwell, Ava Elizabeth Lannum, Amy Ellis, Samantha Rust, Dylan Ellis, Lacey Ellis, Audrey Ellis, Abbigayle Ellis, Cassidy Ellis and Chyenne Ellis; two brothers, Floyd Knight of Sarasota, Fla. and Wendell Knight of Nashville; and a sister, Mildred Bryant of Evansville.
    Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. April 3 at Tucker Memorial Chapel with the Revs. Bobby Brown and Jesse Johnson officiating. Burial followed in West Union Cemetery in Sacramento.


Mary Elizabeth Moore West

    ISLAND – Mary Elizabeth Moore West, 92, went to be with the Lord Sunday, April 1, 2007 at Professional Care Center in Hartford.
    Born in McLean County July 28, 1914, she was the daughter of the late James William and Ethel Belle Sullivan Moore. She was a member of Worthington Chapel United Methodist Church. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She enjoyed cooking, sewing, gardening, reading the Bible and spending time with her family. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Henry West, a brother, Woodson Crandle Moore, and a great-grandson, Alexander Simpson.
    Survivors include five sons, LaVega (Barbra) West of Utica, Robert (Mary Ann) West of Brandenburg, Kenneth (Sally) West of Baltimore, Md., James "Jim" West of Livermore and David (Lana) West of Greenville; a daughter, Ethel (Lyndal) Smith of Bremen; 16 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild.
    Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. April 5 at Tucker Funeral Home in Sacramento with the Rev. Douglas Kirtley officiating. Burial will follow in Worthington Chapel Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. April 4 at the funeral home. The family asks that expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to Worthington Chapel Cemetery fund. 


Alma Ruth Austin Devine

    SACRAMENTO – Alma Ruth Austin Devine, 95, died Sunday, April 1, 2007 at Ridgewood Terrace Nursing Home in Madisonville.
    Born in McLean County April 1, 1912, she was the daughter of the late Walter and Ina Austin. She was a member of the Sacramento Methodist Church where she taught Sunday school for more than 30 years. She loved reading and studying her Bible. She was preceded in death by her husband, Linzy, a daughter, Ruth, a great-grandson, Michael Keith Coke and a great-granddaughter, Julia Kenna Burden.
    Survivors include two sons, Gerald (Reba) of Newburgh, Ind. and Earl (Julia) of Sacramento; six grandchildren, Mike Devine, Keith Devine, Todd Devine, Becky Devine, Vickie Young and Tony Keith; 11 great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
    Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. April 4 at Tucker Memorial Chapel in Sacramento. Burial will follow in Free Union Cemetery. The family requests that expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to Free Union Cemetery.

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04/05/07

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