Obituaries

Jul 29, 2025

Evelyn Crosthwaite McKinney, 101, of Morehead, Kentucky, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at UK - St. Claire HealthCare.

Born January 24, 1924, in Yale, Kentucky, she was the daughter of the late Albert and Essie Ellis Crosthwaite. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe McKinney (2003), and her son, Oshel McKinney (2004)....

Jul 27, 2025

Don Hardin, 88, of Morehead passed away Sunday, July 27, 2025.

Hardin was born May 20, 1937, in Cogswell in Rowan County, Kentucky. He was the son of Dorsie Ray Hardin, Sr., and Zona Taylor McKenzie Hardin. He was preceded in death by his Father, Dorsie, and Mother, Zona. Along with all four of his brothers, Philemon...

Jul 27, 2025

Jimmy Ray Howard, 64, of Christy Creek Road in Morehead, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, July 27, 2025, at UK-St. Claire HealthCare in Morehead.

Born June 22, 1961, in Ashland, he was the only child of James A. "Jim" Howard and Mary Elizabeth Stevens Howard. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his...

Jul 24, 2025

Brandon Lee Gerhart, age 30, of Fall Lane, Clearfield, Kentucky, passed away July 24, 2025, in Wickliffe, Kentucky, while working on a job site.

Born October 25, 1994, in Gainesville, Florida, he is the son of Rebecca Geraldine Main Sexton and the late Randy Charles McCain.

Brandon is survived by his wife, Audrie Mae Cantrell...

Jul 24, 2025

Lydia Scott Montgomery, age 81, of Morehead, passed away Thursday, July 24, 2025, at UK-St. Claire HealthCare in Morehead surrounded by her loving family.

Born February 29, 1944, in Eskdale, West Virginia, she was a daughter of the late Claude Scott and Lizzie Alice Ingle Scott. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by...

Jul 22, 2025

Lesli Janell Carroll James, 41, of Highway 36, Olympia, Kentucky, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at UK-St. Claire HealthCare in Morehead, Kentucky, surrounded by her loving family and friends.

Born November 23, 1983, in Mansfield, Ohio, she was the daughter of Randall Carroll and the late Linda Sue Hale Carroll....

Jul 22, 2025

Billie Jo Hackney Lowry, 53, of Washington Circle, Morehead, passed away Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at her home.

Born October 7, 1971, in Oroville, California, she was the daughter of the late William Dale Hackney and Mary Geraldine Cox Hackney. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Charles Lowry, who passed on March 7, 1994,...

Jul 21, 2025

William Lynn Johnson, 75, of Olive Hill, passed away Monday, July 21, 2025, from injuries sustained in an ATV accident.

Born January 11, 1950, in Lexington, Kentucky, he was the son of the late Clinton W. Johnson and Emma Louise Hilliard Johnson.

Lynn is survived by his beloved wife, Jada Jarrell; a stepdaughter, Charissa Barker...

Jul 20, 2025

Wanda Ann Donahue Gilley, age 84, of Heritage Place, Morehead, passed away Sunday, July 20, 2025, at UK – St. Claire HealthCare in Morehead.

Born April 17, 1941, in Rowan County, she was a daughter of the late Crystal and Lorene Staton Donahue. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, John...

Jul 18, 2025

Dorothy B. Drake Archer, 87, of Cranston Road, Morehead, passed away Friday, July 18, 2025, at the Life Care Center in Morehead.

Born May 23, 1938, in Rowan County, she was the daughter of the late William Drake and Zola Roberts Drake. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one son, Wayne Glover;...

Jul 17, 2025

Pamela "Pammy" Frances Charles, age 62, of South Lick Road, Hillsboro, passed away Thursday, July 17, 2025, at Pioneer Trace Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Flemingsburg.

Born March 24, 1963, in Fleming County, she was a daughter of the late Clyde Edward Charles and Florrey Alice Pugh Charles.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in...

Jul 17, 2025

Beverly Joan Sparks Nealis, 67, of East Highway 60, Salt Lick, formerly of Olympia, passed away Thursday, July 17, 2025, at UK Medical Center in Lexington.

Born July 18, 1958, in Morehead, Beverly was the daughter of the late Levi Jared Sparks, Jr. and Detta Frances Hall Sparks Barker. In addition to her parents, she was preceded...

Jul 15, 2025

Bruce Michael Ferguson, 68, of Frenchburg, Kentucky, passed away on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at UK-St. Claire HealthCare in Morehead.

Born April 4, 1957, in Jacksonville, Florida, Bruce is the son of Gary Ferguson and the late Sallie Gammons Ferguson. In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by his sister, Debbie F. Fransen.

Jul 14, 2025

Carl Wayne Riley, 84, of Patties Lick, Morehead, went home to be with the Lord peacefully on Monday, July 14, 2025, at UK St. Claire HealthCare in Morehead surrounded by his loved ones.

Born March 7, 1941, in Carter County, he was the son of the late William and Zola Fultz Riley. In addition to his parents,...

Jul 13, 2025

Kimberly Robin Collins Staton, age 58, of Morehead, Kentucky, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 13, 2025.

Born on July 11, 1967, in Morehead, she is the daughter of Bradley Collins of Morehead and the late Connie Jo Rzonca. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Bradley Collins Jr.

In addition to her...

Jul 10, 2025

Willie Lee Pennington, age 90, of Sharkey Road, Morehead, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at his residence.

He was born September 3, 1934, in Elliott County, the son of the late R.C. Pennington and Nannie Adkins Pennington. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother,...

Jul 4, 2025

Gary David Ratliff, Sr., 45, of Wallingford Road in Flemingsburg, passed away tragically on Friday, July 4, 2025, due to a fireworks accident.

Born July 28, 1979, in Morehead, Dave was the beloved son of Gary Ratliff and Teresa Hall Ratliff of Flemingsburg, who survive him.

He is also survived by two sons, Gary David...

Jul 4, 2025

Janie Allen Holbrook, lovingly known as Grammy and Mammy to those who held her dearest, passed away peacefully on July 4, 2025, at UK St. Claire in Morehead, Kentucky. She was 74 years old.

Born on June 23, 1951, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky, Janie was the cherished daughter of Merl Fair Allen and John...

Jul 3, 2025

It is with great sadness that the family of Barbara Slone Mabry announces her sudden passing on July 3, 2025, surrounded by her daughters, at the age of 71. A resident of Morehead for most of her life, she lived her last ten years lovingly cared for by her daughter Melissa in Lexington.

Born September 27, 1953,...

Jul 3, 2025

Bert Raymond Blankenbeckler, age 80, of Elliott County, Kentucky, passed away Thursday, July 3, 2025, at his home surrounded by his loved ones.

He was born April 7, 1945, in Elliott County, a son of the late James and Hazel Skaggs Blankenbeckler.

Bert is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Dixie Blankenbecker, whom...