Once again, the time has arrived for my annual Cheapskate Editor’s Christmas Card List. This is the 20th edition of the list, which first appeared in print on Dec. 14, 1996. I’m sure this will be like the others in that as soon as it makes a public appearance, I’ll think of those that I left out. And I will be sorry. Still, I’ll give it my best effort.
The format is simple: If I had the time and the money for the postage, these are the people I would send cards.
So what’s happened in the Turners’ lives in 2015? Elaine and I will have been married 35 years Sunday, and the last few months have been some of the scariest of our lives. Our youngest offspring, Trey, has been seriously ill for almost three months. Despite countless tests, procedures, prodding and probing by doctors specializing in seven different fields, the answers and cures have been hard to come by.
Three surgeries later, including open lung a week ago today, we see hope and help. He’s sore and weak with more tests ahead of him, but we believe he’s on the road to recovery. And for all who have worked to make that happen—on earth and in heaven—we are indeed grateful.
Trey’s rock throughout all this has been his loving sister Lindsay. She has hardly left his side throughout the worst of this. In fact, she’s a rock that her mom and I lean on all the time.
Because of this, I’ve gotten behind on reporting a lot of news, especially sports results, and I apologize for that.
With all that in mind, these are the people on my Cheapskate Editor’s Christmas Card List for 2015:
Doctors Rebecca Shadowen, Paul Moore, Douglas Thompson, Kevin Jackson, Robert Emslie & Diana Cavanah, all of whom have used their skills to help Trey. And, yes, that’s the Kevin Jackson who graduated from Logan County High School in 2002 and was a baseball teammate of both Clay and Trey.
Barry Bilyeu, a friend Trey can always count on
Dr. John Cowan, who keeps plucking my skin cancers with as little discomfort as possible
Amanda Brawner Turner and Ally Overton, the young women who make our sons happy
Bob and Bonnie Hooper, our children’s grandparents who spend half of each year in Franklin, Tenn. and half in Little Rock, Ark.
Andy and Debbie Hooper, Elaine’s brother and sister-in-law who take great interest in the welfare of our children
Alice Benham, the dean who hired me as an adjunct and then full-time instructor at Southcentral Kentucky Community & Technical College. She was good at her job and has earned the retirement years she has entered.
Rhonda Barton, Donna Hayden, Mary Helen Hendrix, Leah Wendt, Jessica Bayer, Dr. James McCaslin, Dr. Phillip Neal, Dr. Tonya Daniels, Dean Kevin Kenady, Dr. Maggie Shelton, Mark Brooks, Melissa Parocai, Sherri Forester, Sharon Gibson, Kristie Lee, Amy Hurt, Ellie Adams, Jessica Adams, Janel Doyle Shawn Stovall, Rita Shrull, Brooke Justice and many others who make SKYCTC truly worthy of its Best Places to Work annual award
Bobby Allen, Dickie Carter, Kenny Chapman, Bert Knight, Junior Thomason, Jerry Van Zee, and Bobby and Keith Wilson, some of the men who helped Elaine and Lindsay in significant ways as they took on Clay’s prior roles with our fruit and vegetable production and sales business.
Joyce Wilson, Tobi Dukes, Nancy Wright, Joe and Shirley Grace, Rusty and Debbie Burchett, caring and helpful friends
Jeannie Leedom Bowles, Clarkie Leedom Milam and Jamie Bowles Knight, gracious women from the same gene pool who are thoughtful and caring
Algie Ray Smith, a friend to our family in countless ways. One of the things I missed out on during this stressful fall was publishing his annual Christmas story on The LoJo. That means you, the reader, missed out, too, because they are always a joy
Smokey Smotherman, who was responsible for our being able to set up for produce sales along with Philip Johnson and Jackson’s Orchard in the parking lot of Fellowship Church of Christ during some select Thursdays this summer
Phillip & Becky Johnson, Mike & Barbara Dorris, Dwight & Tammy Grise, Jenn and Evan Dana, Annie and Dusty Thomas, Ted & Darla Baldwin, Virgil & Jo Parrish, Allie & Mark Robertson, Louise Stacey and J.C. Stacey, Wanda & Dan Grayson, Wayne Inscoe, Roger Duncan, Jack Inscoe, John Amzi Zimmerman, Willis Leid, Mr. and Mrs. Amos Mast, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Mast, Mr. and Mrs. Jonas Miller, Rudy and Susan Miller, Bill Jackson, and Carl and Debra Chaney, friends in the produce business.
Marcia Miller Key, Elaine Dixon and Jenn Dana, ladies who organized and managed crafts shows and sales in which Elaine and Lindsay were vendors
Evelyn Richardson, David Guion, Carl Foster, A.B. Wilhite, Judy Lyne, Michael Morrow, Sonny Greene, Joe Gran Clark, Mary Lucy Franklin, others who work to preserve local history
Dr. Nancy Dawson, who finds ways to provide educational experiences and activities for Russellville’s young people, as evidenced by the Urban Gardening project which she leads
Dorris Vick, who has built Concerned Citizens into an organization which helps countless people in need in Russellville and Logan County. The organization is finally getting the public recognition and encouragement it deserves
Mike and Janice Humble, who have devoted their lives to helping others through Agape
Bill Stokes, who dedicated 30 years to the board of East Logan Water District and C.K. and Jana Hanks for their decades of service to the utility which my dad, James Turner, helped found
Robert White, who made enormous contributions to Russellville in his short time leading the Electric Plant Board, and Mark Wilkins, Maria Dickerson & Jeff White, who are retiring after having served Pennyrile Electric customers for a minimum of a third of a century each
Tom Harned and Paula Timberlake, who head economic development activities in Russellville and Logan County. The expansion of Logan Aluminum, the soon-to-open Champion PetFoods, and several other entities which experienced growth the past year attest to their effectiveness.
Brent and Tara Crabtree, who centered the Crabtree Furniture & Appliance business in Russellville when the flagship location in Franklin closed
To the owners and employees of Riley-White Drugs & Healthcare, who continue to remind me of the luxury of local service. I used a national chain pharmacy for a few years at the insistence of my Medicare Supplement provider. Every time I picked up medicine I had to tell my name, my address and my date of birth. When I walk into Riley-White, I’m greeted by name. This week I needed medicine but was staying late in Bowling Green with Trey. One of the Riley-White employees said, “I’ll be passing your house tonight. I’ll leave your medicine where you can find it.” I didn’t have to tell her where I live. I love local service.
To the Newcomb family, owners of FiveStar Food Marts. I don’t know any of them, but our family is grateful to corporate management for bringing their large convenience stores to Russellville and Elkton. Not only are the stores clean and the food tasty, the price of their gasoline has forced almost all of the other providers to lower their prices significantly. We can generally buy gas here about 25 cents cheaper than the fixed prices in Bowling Green, and even 12 cents or so cheaper than in Franklin, which is historically the area leader. Since I drive at least 50 miles a day for work, FiveStar has made a difference for us. The savings in Todd County, which has historically had some of the highest prices around, are even more pronounced. Let the record show that at Christmas 2015, gas is about $1.68 in Russellville, less than half the price of a few years ago.
Keith Rogers, executive director of the Kentucky 4-H Alumni Association and to fellow 4-H Alumni Sen. Ernie Harris and former senator Joey Pendleton for honoring me and my 1965 state officer team in Lexington this summer
Ryan Craig, whose journalistic excellence has not only been an asset to the Logan County Chamber of Commerce but to The LoJo with his regular newsletter that we carry on our pages
John Myers, Gwynne Gaddie, Phil Todd, Dudley Bouldin and the remainder of the Russellville football coaching staff who led the Panthers to their best season in two decades
Brandy Nuyt Trimble, who brought excitement to two softball programs. She and her sister, Amanda Nuyt Hampton, led the Lady Panthers to their best season in many years. Now they are headed to their alma mater, LCHS, to attempt to help the Lady Cougars reach their potential
Steven Lyne, Finley Baird and Lonnie Mason, who coached their alma mater, LCHS, to championships this year and fellow alum Ethan Meguiar, who continues to build Hall of Fame credentials in keeping the baseball Cougars a regional contender every year
Joe Dan Laster & Todd Adler, who join them as LCHS grads as head coaches at the school
Dan Duncan & Eric Evans, coaches who have built Logan County into arguably the top girls & boys soccer programs combined in the region outside Warren County
Calvin Head of RHS and Greg Howard of LCHS, coaches turned athletic directors who work hard and are intensely loyal to the schools they lead.
Hugh McReynolds, who for over two decades worked tirelessly as LCHS athletic director and helped transform the title into a profession statewide. Enjoy retirement, Hugh Mac!
Lee Dockins, the ageless wonder who repeated this year as Best All Around Special Olympics Gymnast at the World Games in Los Angeles
Sarah Higgins Cheaney, who was a Kentucky All-Star while playing for the Lady Cougars, and Gwen Dawson Barnes and Pam Collins Pollard, who were starters on one of the Lady Cougars’ state quarterfinalist teams in 1989 & 1990. They are living the dream as their daughters, Russellville’s Loreal Cheaney and Logan’s Brooke Barnes and Torrie Pollard, are putting up big numbers for their teams this season
Nathan Thompson, who coached the Logan County-based Bowling Green Hornets to a league basketball championship.
Caleb Bruner, the Cougarwho was chosen Kentucky Baseball Player of the Year and a High School All-American
Landon Stratton, a former LCHS multi-sports standout who was repeatedly honored as a member of the Murray State University football team
P.J. Jones, the former RHS athlete and LCHS coach who was named to the Kentucky Softball Hall of Fame this year. He’s one of the only two graduates of the local high school to be drafted by Major League Baseball. The other was Mark Thompson in the same 1992 season
Dr. Daniel Roberts, whom the aforementioned P.J. Jones nicknamed ‘Part-time’ while he was keeping a detailed scorebook for Cougar baseball. Daniel, who was one of Clay’s best friends at Adairville Middle School and LCHS, has been “called up” to the majors by the Houston Astros. He has been doing physical therapy for the franchise in Florida but now will be on site whenever and wherever the major league Astros are playing.
Todd Stewart, who as WKU Athletic Director is responsible for the hires of Michelle Clark-Heard as Lady Topper basketball coach and Bobby Petrino as football coach, which led to the availability of Greg Brohm as the football coach. Those two programs, plus Coach Travis Hudson’s volleyball team, have made Hilltopper sports relevant nationally again. President Gary Ransdell has supported Todd throughout all of these moves.
Chris McGinnis and Don Neagle, who make WRUS a great asset to Logan County. My day doesn’t start right without listening to WRUS News, usually beginning at 5:23 or so, depending on when Don’s last song ends. I am infinitely indebted to WRUS for live coverage of local sports events with John Brett Reynolds, Andy and Zack Woodall, Alex Watkins, Ben Brown, Mark Reynolds and even Chris himself describing the action. (Now, if I could just get Ben and Zack to quit abusing the pronunciation of Franklin names Lovan and Caudill.)
Kige Ramsey, the You Tube sports analyst who especially loves Russellville, University of Kentucky and Tennessee Titans teams
Greg Owens, a one-man athletic alumni machine who heads the Russellville Booster Club Athletic Hall of Fame, Kelly Russell Classic, R Club, Panther Park and halftime recognitions at football games for RHS sports. He does get good help, though, from people like Jean Sosh Reynolds, Ann Province McReynolds, Mary Jureka Celsor, Diane Gilliam Walker, Patsy Hendrick, Donna Blake, Mark Coursey and Billy Costello, who also deserve to be on the Christmas Card list.
Todd Adler, Jae Allison, Craig Bailey, Reggie Gough, Jason Hendley, John Myers, Chris McGinnis and Kyle Hines, some of the people who have made Alumni Clashes of the Cats in football and basketball very successful this year.
Richard and Louise Holloman, Bill and Nancy Gaines, Stacey Mason, Billy and Mel Bingham, Bob Nylin, John Ferris, LeAnn Meguiar Powell, Alex Keltner and Jimmy Kent Wilson for their work in boosting athletic endeavors and memories at LCHS.
Scooter Davis, our long-time friend and colleague on local radio, who is both enduring and embracing both publicly and poetically what has been diagnosed as terminal cancer. If John F. Kennedywere able to write Profiles in Courage II, a chapter on Scooter would be appropriate. His loving mom, Marlene Page, has handled this courageously, too. Both are Logan Countians.
Brenda McGinnis, who helped her son Chris organize a reunion of the old Beaver and WRUS radio crews. It was especially a delight to honor Scooter and to see old friends like Jeff Boyles, Rob Wathen, Randy Gardner, Jeremy Wilkinson, Tom Williams, Buddy Matthews, Evan Elrod and Chris Allen.
Myla Porter, who for over two decades entertained, informed and cared for the people of Logan County and the area in her role as “Myla Thomas” in the mornings on The Beaver
Alisa Blanton, a wonderful wife and mom who I also assume is an excellent soldier. She and her husband Jeremy are both military. Shortly after the birth of their second child, she was deployed to the Mideast. Her homecoming was welcome news to all of her friends.
Jeramy Rust and Kevin White, who put their interests in mission work to active involvement often
Tia Benton, whose compassionate heart has taken her to tragedy struck Nepal to help bring fresh water to those in dire need of it
Casey and Laura Jaynes, who were an integral part of the community during their years here while he was an administrator at LCHS
Mark Abbott, Greg Hale, Angela McColpin, Heather Blick and other photographers whose work I often depend on to accompany stories on The LoJo
Local educators who have contributed articles to The LoJo, including Kim McDaniel, Penni Nugent, Dr. Kevin Hub, Leon Smith, Kaye Hendricks, Deborah Davenport, Calvin Head, Rachel Rodgers, Melanie Manley, David Brooks, Donna Wilkerson, Jennifer Jenkins, Amy Hallman, Ben Kemplin, Ben Bruni, Bonnie Watson, Jon Jukes, Sarah Hatton, Robbie Davis, Greg Howard, Dedra Adler, Todd Adler, Sherry Bouldin, Kimberly Cron, Kristina Rice, Hope Strode, Sherry Bouldin, Lori Bouldin, Finley Baird, Dr. Barry Goley, Mallory Ervin and Carrie Shanklin
To others with Land of Logan connections who have written articles for The LoJo this year, including Al Smith, Larry Vaught, Linda Hatler, Tripp Covington, Jenni Osborne Craig, Jean Reynolds, Dee Dee Brown, Michael Romans, Lindsay Turner, John Hendricks, Jenna Simmons, Paula Clark, Jenn Dana, Carol Kimmel, Rhonda Barton, Mary Helen Hendrix, John Wright, Kim Reeves, Kathy Thweatt, Jessica Brown, Jenna Simmons, Sue Wood, Elaine Ezell, Brian Doyle, Tom and Dreama Ruley, John Alcott, Tracy Naylor, Zach Simpson and Leann Martin.
To others who contributed articles, including Rhonda Barton, Leah Wendt, Mary Helen Hendrix, Mark Brooks, Paul Just, Crissy Rowland, Donnie Meador, Todd Stewart, Michael Schroeder, Kyle Neaves, Robert Sampson, Tim Ballard, Marty Irby, Andrew Kappes, Michael Goins, Ted Sloan, Katie Moyer, Wes Watt, Tom Eblen, Robert Hankins, Danny Reed, Melinda Grimsley-Smith, Amy Marsh Clark, Tommy Newton and Jessica Ditto
To the advertisers who help make The LoJo possible: Roy Morgan, LeeAnn Harris, Kathy Howard and Lee Morgan of Roy’s Bar-B-Q, Bryson and Trent Price of Price Funeral Home, Greg Hale of Logan Telephone Cooperative, Joe Hendricks and Ami Brooks of Brooks & Hendricks, Attorneys at Law, Jerry White and Donnie Riley of Riley-White, Billy Bingham of Lewisburg Banking Company, Chris McGinnis and Don Neagle of WRUS, Brent Summers of Summers, Kirby & Sanders Funeral Home, Mary Milam of The Blossom Shop Florist, Rusty Clark of First Southern National Bank, Debbie Tolladay of Daymar College, Von Corder of SouthPoint Risk Advisors, JoAnn DeArmond of the Carpenter Center, Lynn Ashby of Radio Shack, attorney James Milam, Jim Riley of A1 Self-Storage, Brent Crabtree of Crabtree Furniture, and the elders of Crittenden Drive Church of Christ.
William Washington, Hazel Fleming, Rita Hallman, David Atkins, long-time friends of ours who have a reserved spot in this list each year
Kathryn Edwards, Punkin Klein, Nona Hendley, Ima Jean Hite, Perle Golden, Marilyn Riley, Nadine Maxwell, Betty Sue Boyles, Helen White, Dorothy Jackson, Rhonda Ramsey, Kathy Holloway, Paul Hines, Bob Sumner, some of thewidows and widowers at Crittenden Drive who are faithful in attendance, not letting age, loneliness or weather get in their way
Dr. Paul Kerr, my one-time college roommate and long-time friend who is still recovering from an horrific motorcycle accident. His wife Cindy has been a wonderful support system for him.
Dylan Porter, whose treatments for lymphoma have now lasted over a year. He has been a role model for all people who battle serious diseases, keeping his head up and participating in every activity he can. He managed to play some baseball for the Panthers and is now swimming competitively for RHS. His parents, Donnie and Polly Porter, his brother, Derrick Porter, and his grandparents, Roger and Merry Lee Brewer, have all handled this with strength, courage and grace
Susan Porter, who heads countless worthwhile fund raising and community outreach programs. Her work on behalf of Dylan has been remarkable
Ron and Charlotte Watkins, who are not only spending their first Christmas as grandparents, but are doing double duty in that role. See why below.
First Christmas as Parents: Adam & Sarah Corum, Jarrod and Allison Watkins Hagan, Gary and Jennifer Jenkins, Dr. Daniel and Rachel Roberts, Phil and Dr. Jenny Brown Todd, Alex and Meghan Watkins, Bryce and Mandy Browning Winders
First Christmas as a Married Couple: Aaron and Caroline Milam Baldwin, Paul and Elizabeth Fritsch Banton, Hunter and Jessika Shay Ellington Boswell, Josh and Paige Taylor Cates, Johnathan and Samantha Shields Epley, Joseph Murray and Melissa Kemmis Farmington, Rusty and Shaela Marie Scott Funk, Adam and Cecilia Neely Gray, Dyllan and Katelynn Scales Gunderson, Taylor and Lindsey Moore Johnson, A.J. and Ashley Johnson Jones, Josh and Kara Haley Keehan, Joe Dan and Caitlyn Oberhausen Laster, Kenny and Cassie Flory Masters, Alex and Megan Peters Paschall, Jacob and Ashley Nicole Mayhugh Prince, Jordan and Kelcie Dixon Richart, Nathan and Evelyn Poteet Sindorf, Travis and Kelsey Mimms Steward, Andrew and Vanessa Walton Stovall, Alan and Pat Henderson Thomas, James and Laura Heidel Thornbury, Tyler and Allison Lea Toon, John and Deborah Turner, Barry and Jane Brown Dodson Vick, Michael and Victoria Dickerson Walker, Daniel and Tiffany Evans Whitley
Those who have experienced health difficulties this year, although some have now recovered: Marvin Abston, Willard Allen, Mary Baker, Roger Barton, Joe Biddle, David Bilyeu, Bob and Donna Birdwhistell, Charlie Bowles, Betty Sue Boyles, Beverly Garner Braschler, Martha Weaver Carter, Felts and Margie Clark, Ruth Dauley, Dick Dickerson, Mary Ann Downing, Malcolm and Mabel Farmer, Randy “Radio Rusty” Gardner, Pearl Golden, Billy and Gerrye Hodges, Mike Hughes, Janice Humble, Billy Johnson, Lela Kennedy, Wayne King, Millard Lewis, Janet McCarley, John Robert McCarley, Glenn McGehee, Bill McGinnis, Greta McKenzie, Vivian Neagle, Shane Neely, Cheryl Oberhausen, John Odum, Rita Baldwin Osborne, Ivan Overholt, Missy Maxwell Perry, Wayne Powell, Sarah Riley, Lori Rouse, Theresa Satterzahn, Rodney Seay, Tim Shoaf, Phyllis Sites, Artis Stratton, Mac Taylor, Elma Loraine Thweatt, Helen White, Shawn Wilson, Alan Woodward
Deaths
Carol Thacker: My second cousin died in August after a long battle with cancer. She was a sweet, kind person. She and her daughter Chelsea were as close as a parent and child can be. She got to be around her grandson, River Jepson, for the first year of his life when she was able, but unfortunately he won’t be able to remember how much she loved him. His great aunt, Karen Thacker, is doing a great job bridging the gap. To Chelsea, Josh and River Jepson; Al, Sylvia, Al Jr., Karen and Angela Thacker; Gus and Bonnie Wimpee
Shorty Taylor: My friend from childhood, William Gaither ‘Shorty’ Taylor, went in the hospital for what was thought to be routine surgery on Oct, 2. Two days later, a tragic mistake in that surgery ended his quality of life, and 55 days his life ended. To Cheryl Taylor, Dr. Dawnisa Baker Pabon, Tammy Banton and Tina Patterson
Betty Wilcutt: A beautiful and genteel lady, Betty was the mother of my dear friend and newspaper colleague, Kathy Wilcutt Hathcock, who has cared for her husband, Mark ‘Trapper’ Hatchock, for several years. To Kathy and Mark Hathcock, Ramona and Richard Baud, Shelly Wilcutt, Jeannette and Barry Bond, Jennifer Clark, Chris and Christy Fitzhugh, Brooke and Adam White, Dusty, Daniel and Sara Cowan, Katie and Andrew Sullivan
John Gragg: ‘Fluff’ was my classmate throughout our school years and my friend and fellow teacher as adults. He was always fun. To Jean, Jason, Kerri, Jennifer, and Gary Gragg, Melanie Gragg Manley
Dr. Regis O’Connor: A long-time communication professor at WKU, he and Dr. Randy Capps were the people most responsible for the creation and success of the Department of Communication. He also was the person most responsible for creating the Bowling Green/Warren County Habitat for Humanity, serving both as chairman of the board and executive director. He and I flew to New York City in the late 70s to discuss a textbook publishing opportunity. I decided I was too busy. Regis turned the textbook into one of the most used in the nation. He was one of the kindest, most humble superstars I ever knew. To Pat and Jennifer O’Connor, Karen and Clint Cobb, and all of us who were fortunate to teach with him on The Hill.
Johnny Holloway: One of the regulars at Crittenden Drive Church of Christ we lost this year. His brother, Garnet Holloway, died late in the year. To Kathy, J.P., Amanda. Jerry and Garnett Holloway, Chastity and Edward Brown, Linda Celsor, Brenda Gorrell, Sandra Spear
Dorothy Hindman, a gracious southern lady who was the mother of some of my dear friends. To Stephen, Michelle, Josh, Trista and Jonathan Hindman, Sarah and Tommy Summers, Susan, Christopher and Sarah Ruth Watson, Katie and Luke Gilliam
Evelyn Wilson, the oldest member of Crittenden Drive and the matriarch of a family I respect very much. To Bobby, Joyce, Billy Wanda, Keith, Tonya, Kenny, Margie, Kelly and Margaret Wilson, Tobi and Todd Dukes
Ethel Greene, a lovely lady who was always one of our most loyal produce customers. Her son James was in our wedding. Sadly for us, James and Jean Greene moved back to the East Coast to be with their daughter and her family not long after Mrs. Greene’s death. To James and Jean Greene, Linda and Billy Shackelford, Janie Belcher and Dorothy Rosser
Otis Bilbrey, a member of our church and the founder of the Logan County Bluegrass Jam in Auburn. To Geneva, Jeffrey, Dallas and Woody Ray Bilbrey, Darlene and Rick Heflin, Fadocia Annette and Steve Hall, Mardell Huskisson, Joyce Scarbrough and Mildred Wilson
Johnny Garrett, one of the good guys who left us way too soon. To Betty, Rick, Melinda, Brittany, Ali, Jim and Pam Garrett; Rhonda, Jason, Jacob, Blake and Haleigh Wood; Betty and Charles Hendrix, and Mary and Don Garrett.
Joe Bailey, a popular retired teacher from Lewisburg. To Ann, Ryan and Tabitha Bailey, Laura and Jon Gregory, and Deana & Brandon West
Larry Appling, another member of our RHS Class of 1964 who left us this year. To Jonathan, Chrystal and Joyce Appling; Melissa and Todd Heath; Betty Gayle Drake
Tommy Brown and Amanda Gay Brown Hollingsworth, this father and daughter duo both left us this year. They were great citizens and members of one of Logan County’s greatest extended families. To Gayle, Ben, Sandra, Bradley. Frances, Dr. and George Brown; Jack, Sam and Emily Hollingsworth; Jane Sweatt, and Adam and Anna Brandon
Al Eggleston, a long-time friend and the father of the most successful female tennis player I coached, Sandra Eggleston Brown. Sandra and Ben Brown lost their fathers in the same week. To Sandra and Ben Brown, Ricky and Sue Eggleston, and Marion Wilmouth
Jackie Dunlap, a third of my classmates to die this year and a great Logan Countian who served as coroner, ambulance service director and Russellville city councilman. To Dorris and Bo Dunlap, Jennifer and Dawson Motsinger, Bobby Hope, David Richardson, and Vanessa Rigsby
Emolene Darden, a great citizen who could put fear in the hearts of elected officials and happiness in the hearts of children. To Don, Linda, Jimmy, Juanita, Clint, Candi, Ray, Mamie, Logan, Gwendolyn and Steven Darden; Dee, Jerry, Brent, Brad, Brian, Kelly and Bevon Willis
Maria Lawson, a lovely woman and mother of one of Trey’s teammates, Corey Lawson, who died in a tragic automobile accident. To Heather, Jordan and Anslee Hawkins, Corey, Bud and Lana Lawson, Tracey and Victor Shifflett, Jason, Rhonda and Jessica Wood, Mason and Brice Davis
Scotty Woodward, my barber, my friend, my source for all things Auburn. To Marolyn, Mary Ruth, Alan, Beverly, Katherine and Connor Woodward
Marion Barrett, fellow journalist, businessman and close friend of one of my favorite couples, the late Charlie and Dottie Snyder. To Bettie Barrett, Shelly and Les Page, Elizabeth Page Velasquez
Shelby Morgan, who died Christmas Eve after a bout with cancer. She was the wife of highly respected pastor David Morgan and the mother of Pamela Barrow, my friend from the days she was right-hand woman to I.E. Helton at Handi Foods. Other survivors include David, Chris and Gayle Morgan; Keith Barrow; Larry, Roger and David Drake; Louise Layne and Rita Purvis.
Ryan Kemp, a bright, fun young man who kept those who knew him smiling. His dad, retired Logan County School Superintendent Marshall Kemp, must have a heavy heart today and we share his grief.
To the families of others who died this year, including Hassan Abou, Richard Arnett, Bennie Baldwin, Sue Barrow, Cheryl Poore Barth, Randy Baskerville, Anita Bellamy, David Blakey, Zonia Blankenship, Pauline Blick, Russell Glenn Blick, Darrell Bobbitt, Emma Jane Boggess, Billy Burchett, Ed Burchett, Sylvester Lee Cage Sr., Dr. Dick Cantrell, Lindsay Chasteen, Brenda Skipworth Childress, Wanda Coursey, Charlotte Elizabeth Daniel, J.V. Ditmore, Mabel Dowell, Ray Eddings, Maynard and Janie Herndon Elftmann, Steve Ferguson, Roberta Gilliam, Ellen Herndon Groot, Steve Hampton, Ronnie Hankins, Alice Hardin, Molly Denise Harlin, Jimmy Haynes II, Dodie Head, Ray Harvey Head, Keith Hendrix, Hubert Holloway, Samantha Holloway, Richard Holly, James Holman, Guy Hughes, Thomas Eldon Hughes, Mary Magdalene Jackson, Don Jones, Johnnie Evelyne Kemp, Brandon King Key, George Kisselbaugh, Kay Kisselbaugh, Dock Lyons, Taz Mason, Mary Mayfield, Wanda Shackelford Mason, Courtney Mayo, Gordon McCormick, James ‘Buck’ McGee, Guyla McPherson Miller, Ralph Moore, Mitchell Parker Sr., Ray Pelley, Craig Phillips, Ray Polak, Terry Powell, Betty Jean Watkins Richmond, Harold Robertson, Mary Lou Rogers, Pam Fiedler Rueff, Ellen Sandage, Roy Satterzahn, Jessica Sears, Wayne Sowell, Charlie Starks, Marie Stratton, Amber Summers, James Talley, Tommy Taylor, Melissa Torrence, Alex Towne, Wilburn Trammel, Irma Lena Trembley, June Trimble, Tommy Vaughn, Owen Vick, JoAnn Purvis Waltrip, Beatrice Weldon, Aldra Mae White, Sharon Lynne Whittaker-Cline, Annette Wilkerson, Bobby Young