Adair County Obituaries

 

Transcribed from the Adair County News, April 12, 1944

 Former Jailor Of Adair Dies At Knifley Home 

Edward B. Morgan, 73, former Adair County Jailer, died at his home in the Knifley community Wednesday, April 5, after a brief illness.

 He was born in Casey County, being a son of the late John and Nancy Phillips Morgan, The family moved to Roley [Adair County] when he was a small boy and he resided there until a year ago.

 He first married Miss Effie Wise, of Roley, and she died 12 years ago. About a year ago he married Mrs. Myrtle Hovious, who with two daughters and a son by the first marriage survive. They are: Mrs. Doris Cebran, Marseilles, Ill., Mrs. Betty Jean Squires, Dina [sic; probably Medina], Ohio, and Carlton Morgan, Wadsworth, Ohio. he also leaves a brother, C.W. Morgan, of Liberty, and two sisters, Mrs. Minnie Perry, of Cleveland, Ohio, and Mrs. Nannie Daughtery, Elmwood Place, Ohio. 

Funeral services and burial were held at Roley at 2:00 o'clock Friday afternoon, April 7.


The Adair County News, Wednesday, December 14, 1949

Judge Rollin Hurt Critically Ill Here

Friends of Judge Rollin Hurt will be deeply grieved to know that he is critically ill at his home on Burkesville Street. He has been sick for the past ten days and according to reports there is no improvement in his condition.

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The Adair County News, Wednesday, December 21, 1949

Judge Rollin Hurt Succumbs Monday After Two Weeks Illness

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Rites Will Be Held Here This Afternoon For One Of Kentucky's Most Prominent Men

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Judge Rollin Hurt, a former Chief Justice of the Kentucky Court of Appeals and one of the best known men in Kentucky, died at his home on Burkesville Street early Monday morning, after having been ill for two weeks. He celebrated his 89th birthday on October 18, and had apparently been in good health for a man of his years until stricken. News of his death, though not unexpected as he had been in a critical condition for several days before the end came, was a shock and sorrow to the entire community.

Judge Hurt was born and reared in Adair County near Columbia and both of his parents, Young E. Hurt and Mary Montgomery Hurt, were descendants of pioneer families. He was one of fourteen children and only one of the family now remains, Mr. Young E. Hurt, of this place.

Judge Hurt was admitted to the bar at the age of twenty and started practicing law here in 1890. For five years prior to that he was employed as a railway clerk and at one time edited The Spectator, a weekly newspaper which preceded the Adair County News. He was a ver successful lawyer and also served as County Attorney of Adair. I 1914 he was selected Judge of the Court of Appeals, from this, the Third Appellate District. He served one term and was then appointed as a special Judge for some time. He was considered an eminent jurist and was a very popular leader in the Democratic Party of Kentucky for many years. upon several occasions he was urged to run for Governor but never sought the honor though he could have easily been elected. He did represent this State as a Presidential Elector at one time.

Judge Hurt continued active in the practice of law up until his illness, having for a partner his only son, Ralph Hurt. He had also been president of the Bank of Columbia for many years.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Cary Chandler Hurt; the one son, a granddaughter, Pamela N. Hurt, and his brother, Young E. Hurt.

His body was taken to Stotts & Phelps Funeral Home where it remained in state until the funeral, which will be held at 2:00 this afternoon, conducted by Rev. H.J. Conover, pastor of the Cane Valley Christian Church and Dr. J. Pendleton Scruggs. Interment was [sic] in the City Cemetery.

The pallbearers were [sic] John Flowers, Fred Hill, Sam Suddarth, Henry Garnett, A.C. Froedge, T.E. Jeffries and Stewart Hutchison.


Adair County News, August 10, 1949

Mrs. Mollie J. Poff Dies At Milltown

Mrs. Mollie J. Poff, 89, died at her home in the Milltown community on Monday [August 8], following a long illness.

She was a native of Adair County and was daughter of the late Elijah and Sarah Butler Smith. She was a member of the Milltown Methodist Church.

Mrs. Poff is survived by her husband, George Poff; two daughters, Mrs. Dollie Abbott, of Peoria, Ill., and Mrs. Mary Britz, of Springfield, Ill.; five sons, William Garland Poff, of Springfield, Ill., John Poff, of Riverton, Ill., Tom Poff of Louisville, Ky., George Poff, of Boston, Mass., and Andrew Poff of Milltown; two sisters, Mrs. Ben Lane, Shepherdsville, Ky., and Mrs. Joe K. Burris, Portland, Ky., and one brother, George Smith. The latter had made his home with Mrs. Poff and husband in order to help care for their needs as they were quite elderly.

Funeral services were held at the residence at 2:00 p.m. this afternoon conducted by Rev. T.D. Everett. Interment was in the the Smith Graveyard.

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Adair County News, Ocotber 26, 1949

G.W. Poff Succumbs In Milltown Section

George Washington Poff, 97, died at his home near Milltown, Saturday night, after being in declining health for several months. He wife passed away in August of this year.

He is survived by three sons, Tom Poff, of Louisville, Andrew Poff, of Milltown and John Poff, of Riverton, Ill.; two daughters, Mrs. Mary Britz, of Springfield, Ill., and Mrs. Dollie Abbott, of Peoria, Ill., and twenty-five grandchildren.

Funeral services were held on Monday afternoon at 2:30 at the Smith Cemetery near Milltown, conducted by Rev. A.C. Wyckoff. Interment was in the Smith Cemetery.

[The Kentucky death records index give his age as 87 (not 97) and the date of his death as October 22, 1949. The 22nd fell on Saturday.]


The Adair County News, April 16, 1941

Aged Citizen Buried At Bear Wallow

Mr. DeMarcus F. Corbin, one of the oldest citizens of Adair County, died Thursday morning at his home near Egypt, at the age of ninety‑five.

He was a native of Adair County and a son of Mr. and Mrs. Ambrose Corbin, who died many years ago. He was a well‑known farmer and a highly respected citizen and a member of the Christian Church.

Mr. Corbin is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Arlene Belton, and three sons, Messrs. H.O. Corbin; W.A. Corbin and James Corbin; two half‑brothers, Thomas Corbin, of Columbia, and Oliver Corbin, of Louisville, and a half‑sister, Mrs. Etta Montgomery, of Ozark.

Funeral services were held at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon at Bear Wallow Church. Interment was in the Church Cemetery.

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The Adair County News, October 22, 1941

Services Friday At Antioch For Mrs. Corbin

Mrs. Amanda Kate Corbin, 76, widow of Millard Corbin, died at 11 o'clock Wednesday night at her home near Sparksville as the result of a chronic heart ailment.

Mrs. Corbin was a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Ben Diddle, and was a well‑known and highly respected citizen of the community in which she resided. She was a member of the Methodist Church.

She is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Martha Scott, Mrs. Ira Rowe and Mrs. E.W. Janes, and four sons, Messrs. Bennie, Thomas, Ara and Righteous Corbin.

Funeral services were held at Antioch Church on Friday, conducted by Rev. M.B. Hodges, with burial in the church cemetery.

The pallbearers were her four sons and sons‑in‑law. The flowers were taken care of by granddaughters.

[In this era, it was common to have "flower girls" for funerals. Some years ago, I inquired of a friend whose parents ran a funeral home for many decades, and she answered thus: "Mom indicated flower girls were chosen by the family (much like pallbearers).  Pallbearers carry the casket of the deceased and the flower girls carried the flowers.  Mom indicated she and Dad had a few funerals where flower girls were used.  For example, if the body was being taken to a church for the funeral, the flower girls would line up outside the church holding flowers and the pallbearers would carry the deceased through the flowers. Because flowers became the most popular means of expressing sympathy, flower girls were no longer used because there were too many flowers and not enough girls that could perform this function."]

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The Adair County News, March 4, 1942

Well‑Known Toria Citizen Dies On Thursday

Mr. Matthew Akin, 65, prominent citizen of Toria, died at 9:30 o'clock Thursday morning of arthritis at his home after five years of ill health.

He was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. James Akin. On October 4, 1900, he married Miss Susie Roach and they had six children, all of whom survive him together with their mother. They are: Mrs. Ira Sparks, Mrs. Vina Baker, Mrs. Stella Janes, Miss Genola Akin, Lawrence and Nimmie J. Akin. he also leaves eleven grandchildren and two great grandchildren; two brothers, Titus and Noah Akin, and a sister, Mrs. George M. Young.

 

He professed faith in Christ at the age of 21 and was a popular and respected citizen.

Funeral services were held at Mt. Pleasant Church at two o'clock Friday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Joe Stotts and Rev. M.B. Hodges. Burial was in the Roach Cemetery.

The pallbearers were: Messrs. B. Janes, Tommie Flatt, W.C. Roach, Larue and Arnold Jessie and Truman Fudge.

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The Adair County News, November 25, 1942

Mrs. Julia F. Janes Dies At Sparksville

Mrs. Julia F. Janes, 74, who lived near Breeding, died at 9 a.m. Sunday the home of her nephew, Edgar Jesse, near Sparksville. She had been ill for several weeks following a stroke.

Mrs. James was born and reared in the Breeding community and belonged to a well‑known family of that section. Her husband, J.R. Janes, died three years ago. She was a member of the Pleasant Grove Christian Church.

She is survived by three sisters, Mrs. J.C. Rowe, Mrs. Sam Estes, and Mrs. W.L. Janes, and one brother, S.E. Estes.

Funeral services were held at the Breeding Methodist Church at 2 p.m. Monday, conducted by Rev. M.B. Hodges. Interment [was in] the family cemetery.

The pallbearers were" Messrs. Ben and Elbert Rowe, Edgar and Granville Jesse, Holland Estes, Deering Firkin, J.D. Gowen and Acey Warner.

[A card of thanks appeared in the December 2 edition: "We wish to express our deep appreciation to all of our friends, neighbors, and relatives, Dr. O.C. Conrad, the minister, the undertaker, Mr. A.H. Roach, for their kindness shown us at the time of the death of our beloved sister, Mrs. J.F. Janes."  /s/ Mrs. Mary B. Rowe. Another entry appeared in the December 9 edition in the Picnic community newsletter: "A shadow of sorrow spread over the community when we heard of Mrs. Julia Janes being dead. She died November 22, about 9 o'clock. She passed away on her 74th birthday. She had been sick several months and her death came as no shock. Funeral services were held at Breeding and burial near the home, at the side of her husband, who preceded her to the grave three years ago. She was a good woman. She is survived by three sisters and a brother; a number of nieces and nephews. Sympathy is extended to the entire family. Mr. Granville Jessie, who made his home with Mrs. Janes until he was called to the army, spent a few days with her and was here for the funeral. He is stationed in Washington."]

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The Adair County News, September 15, 1943

MRS. R.A. CORBIN DIES AFTER A BRIEF ILLNESS

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Funeral Services Conducted At Home In Knifley Section On Monday Afternoon.

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Mrs. Celina Moses Jones Corbin, 86, widow of Richard A. Corbin, died at 2:30 o'clock Sunday morning at her home in the Knifley community. She had been ill only for a week and in spite of her advanced years, her death was a shock to the family and friends, due to the fact that she had always been unusually active and enjoyed splendid health for a woman of her age.

Mrs. Corbin was born, reared and spent her entire life on the farm where she died. She was a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Richard Jones, descendants of pioneer settlers in Adair County. She married W.M. Munday, on June 11, 1876, and they had one child. Following his death she married Richard A. Corbin on February 13, 1879, and they had ten children, two preceding her in death, George Oscar and Woody Lee Corbin. She professed faith early in life and later united with the Methodist Church, being and active member all her life.

She is survived by the following children: Mrs. Edward Bryant, Mont E. Corbin, Mrs. Ernest Cundiff, A.B. Corbin, Mrs. Oscar Arnold, Asa Corbin, Ralph Corbin, Mrs. Branch Sublett and Mrs. John Will Cundiff. She also leaves forty‑seven grandchildren and sixteen great‑grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at the residence at 2:30 Monday afternoon, conducted by Rev. H.J. Conover, assisted by Rev. Noel Page. Interment was in the family cemetery. An unusually large crown attended the services and all children of the deceased were present.

The pallbearers were grandsons of Mrs. Corbin: Messrs. Phillip Corbin, Chester Corbin, Andrew Arnold, David Arnold, Gilbert Corbin, Kenneth Hughes, Elvin Corbin, Ray Bryant and Kenneth Corbin.

The following granddaughters had charge of flowers: Misses Celina and Venita Corbin, Nina and Edna Arnold, Elizabeth, Mary Rose and Kathleen Cundiff, Loneta and Daisy Corbin, Montra and Pauline Corbin and Mrs. Kenneth Hughes.

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The Adair County News, September 19, 1945

(In the Basil community newsletter.)

Mrs. Willie Sexton, of Barren County, was buried at Price's Creek Wednesday. [Almost certainly, "Wednesday" refers to Wednesday, September 5.] She was a native of Adair County and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Roach. She leaves her husband and several children. She was a good Christian and will be greatly missed. [Sally Ann Sexton, who died September 4, 1945.]

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The Adair County News, November 28, 1945

Services On Monday For Mrs. Victoria Sneed

Mrs. Victoria Sneed, 66, died at 4:00 a.m. Saturday morning at her home in Columbia as the result of a heart attack.

She was a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Robert Burris and was a member of the Baptist Church. She is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Pearl Garmon, of Chicago, Ill.; two sons, Charlie and Lawrence, Sneed, of Columbia, and a sister, Mrs. Cora Blankenship.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. at the Big Creek Baptist Church, conducted by Rev. Joe Stotts. Interment was in Weed Cemetery.

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The Adair County News, July 10, 1946

Services At Antioch

Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Baker, 80, died at the home of her son, Mr. Joe Baker, and Mrs. Baker, in the Sparksville community at 11:30 p.m. Sunday, July 7, as a result of a chronic heart ailment.

Mrs. Baker, a native of Adair County, was a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Pink Corbin. her husband, W.H. Baker, died in 1914. She was a member of the Methodist Church.

She is survived by four sons, Messrs. Joe Baker, Alfred Baker, Ed Lee Baker, and Sam Baker, five daughters, Mrs. Alice Sneed, Mrs. Amos Coomer, Mrs. Stella Sneed and Mrs. Mandy Sneed, all of Adair County, and Mrs. Annie Rowe, of Louisville, and one brother, Mr. Felix Corbin.

Funeral services were held at Antioch Church at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, conducted by Rev. M.B. Hodges. Interment was in the Antioch Cemetery.

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The Adair County News, March 5, 1947

Mrs. Lucinda Sneed Succumbs At Weed

Mrs. Lucinda Sneed, 70, died at her home in the Weed community on Tuesday, February 25.

Mrs. Sneed was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Wash Sneed and the widow of Richard Ed Sneed. She was a member of the Baptist Church.

She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Gladys Moore and Mrs. Ada Jessie, of Weed; two sons, Lawrence Sneed, of Beuchel and Eddie Sneed; one sister, Mrs. Mattie Sneed, and two brothers, Andy and Hayes Sneed.

Funeral services were held at Big Creek Church at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, conducted by Rev. S.B. Rowe. Interment was in the Antioch Cemetery.

The pallbearers were: Messrs. Lawrence, Eddie, Clarence and Osborne Sneed, James Moore and Sanford Jessie.

[The Sparksville newsletter in the March 12 edition noted that "Funeral services for Mrs. Ed Sneed were conducted at Big Creek Church Thursday morning by Rev. Simpson Rowe. The remains were brought to Antioch for burial in the afternoon."]

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The Adair County News, January 7, 1948

Rites On Wednesday For Gradyville Man

Felix Corbin, 72, well‑known farmer of the Gradyville section, died at his home at an early hour Tuesday, December 30.

Mr. Corbin was a native of Adair County and a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Pinkney Corbin. He was a member of the Methodist Church. He was married twice, his first wife preceding him in death fifteen years ago.

He is survived by his second wife, Mrs. Evea Crawhorn Corbin; three daughters, Mrs. Rollin Montgomery, of Columbia, Mrs. Porter Hamlett, of Bliss, Mrs. Eugene Montgomery, of Gradyville; five sons, Paul, Bradley, Nell, Hallie and Otis Corbin, all of the Gradyville community; twenty‑one grandchildren and three great‑grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at Antioch Methodist Church at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, conducted by Rev. M.B. Hodges.

The pallbearers were: Messrs. Woodrow Moore, William B. Hamlett, Ernest and Ray Corbin, Hallie and Robert Hamlett.

[The Gradyville newsletter in the January 14 edition stated that "Mr. Felix Corbin died suddenly on December 30, very suddenly with a heart attack. He was a good, kind man with many friends. Funeral and burial were at Antioch. He leaves a wife and eight children by a former marriage. Much sympathy is extended to all the bereaved."]

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The Adair County News, July 14, 1948

Services On Wednesday For George W. Janes

George Washington Janes, 81, died at his home on Tuesday, July 6, at 12:25 p.m. as the result of paralysis suffered on Monday. He was born and reared near Toria.

Mr. Janes, well‑known farmer, was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Lawson M. Janes.

He first married Miss Harriett Bell Coomer and they had five children, all of whom survive but one daughter. They are: Mrs. Mae Brake, of Indianapolis, Ind., Fred and Frank Janes, of Columbia, and Elsworth Janes, of Sparksville. After the death of his first wife he married Miss Ethel Fudge and they had one daughter, Mrs. James Corbin, of Toria, who survives him.

Funeral services were held at the Mt. Pleasant United Brethren Church, near Toria, at 2;30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 7, conducted by Rev. Harold McDaniel. Interment was in the Rowetown Cemetery.

 

The pallbearers were Fred, Elsworth, Frank, Bee and Bruce Janes and James Corbin.

[An entry in the Sparksville community newsletter in the July 14 edition read, in part: "Our community was made sad Tuesday when Mr. George Washington Janes passed away. He had been in ill health for some time but had a stroke on Monday from which he never revived...He was a good neighbor and friend to all." (This entry also refers to one of the sons as E.W. Janes and one of the daughters as Mrs. Mary Brake. Another entry in the same newsletter gave her surname as Brakes.)]

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The Adair County News, May 4, 1949

Centenarian Succumbs In Gradyville Section

Mr. John Beasley, 100 years of age, died at the home of Mr. and Mrs. McKinley Sneed in the Gradyville community on Saturday night. He had been ill only a short time.

Mr. Beasley came to Adair County from Pulaski County approximately 80 years ago and had made his home with the Sneed family for many years.

Funeral services and burial were held at Antioch Church at 1:00 p.m. Sunday, conducted by Rev. M.B. Hodges.

The pallbearers were: Brack, Bill and Osco Coomer, Lemon, Arthur and Clarence Sneed.

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The Adair County News, November 16, 1949

Knifley Man Found Dead Friday Morning

Finis Knifley, 37, was found dead in bed at his home in the Knifley community at 7:00 a.m. Friday, November 11.

He was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. J.D. Corbin. He is survived by his wife, Mrs Opal Corbin and one son, Wesley Eugene; a sister, Mrs. Betty Hardwick, and two brothers, Willie and Virgil Corbin.

Funeral services were held at 10:00 p.m. Sunday at Dunbar Hill Baptist Church with interment in the Church Cemetery.