Rita Gail Blackburn age 53 of Inez, passed away Tuesday, July 19, 2011 morning at the Prestonsburg Health Care Facility. Born April 11, 1958 in Paintsville, she was the daughter of Betty Jean Harless Blackburn of Inez and the late Earnest Lewis. In addition to her father, she is preceded in death by a nephew, Lewis Samuel Nelson. She is survived by her mother; three sisters, Theresa (Sammy) Nelson of Prestonsburg, Ann (Robert) Burchett of Stambaugh and Angela (Greg) Vanhoose of Wittensville; five nieces and nephews, Jessica (Clarence) Dye, Robert (Kelli) Nelson, Eric (Melissa) Phelps, Dustin Nelson and McKay Vanhoose; and three great nieces and nephews, Ciara Dye, Dawson Nelson and Landon Nelson. Rita was a member of the Church of Christ for over 35 years and worked for the Martin County Board of Education for over 30 years.
Funeral services will be 1:00 PM Thursday in the chapel of the Phelps & Son Funeral Home with burial to follow in the Highland Memorial Park at Staffordsville. Frank Mills will officiate. Friends may visit the funeral home from 5-10PM Wednesday and prior to the service on Thursday. Arrangements are by the Phelps & Son Funeral Home, Inez.
Willis Elkins age 80 of Okeechobee, Florida, passed away Friday, July 8, 2011. Born January 17, 1931 in Pike County, he was the son of the late Adron and Nancy Maynard Elkins. In additon to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Lowe Elkins. Buck is survived by a sister, Zetta Lowe of Gulnare, KY; three brothers-in-law, Henry (Linda) Lowe, Ronnie (Ruth) Lowe both of Martin County and Larry (Mary) Lowe of Lawrence County. He was retired co-owner of E & E Automotive in Okeechobee and a member of the Trinity Baptist Church in Okechobee.
Funeral services will be 12 PM Saturday, July 16, 2011 in the Chapel of the Phelps and Son Funeral Home with burial to follow in the Lowe Family Cemetery at Pilgrim. Eddie Lowe will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 9PM Friday at the Funeral Home.
Irene Bailey Lowe, 63 of Warfield, KY; passed away on Monday, July 18, 2011 at Williamson A.R.H. in South Williamson, KY. She was born on September 9, 1947 in Williamson, WV; she was a daughter of the late James and Birdie Maynard Starr. She was a Retired City Clerk for the town of Warfield, KY. She was preceded in death by her husband, Claude Lowe as well as son, Tim Lowe as well as two brothers.
Irene is survived by her daughter, Sabrina Dawn Lowe and her fiancé, Ronnie David Smith of Warfield, KY as well as four grandchildren, Michael Thad Lowe of Hazard, KY, Damen Andrew Hensley of Paintsville, KY, Timothy Michael Lowe of Warfield, KY, and Brionna Hope Block of Warfield, KY. She is also survived by several sisters.
Funeral services will be conducted on Thursday, July 21, 2011 at 12:00pm at the Lenore Fellowship Baptist Church with Pastor Don Stroud officiating. Burial will follow in the Mt. View Memory Gardens of Maher, WV. Visitation will be after 4pm Tuesday and all day Wednesday at the Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Richmond-Callaham Funeral Home, Inez, KY.
