Beech Tree News Network

Monda Gale West, age 65 of Morgantown, KY passed away Sunday, December 24, 2023 at her residence. Gale was born on Sunday, September 28, 1958 in Bowling Green, KY to the union of the late Earl and Madalyn Price White. 

Clifford Ray Neely, age 68 of Auburn, KY formerly of Morgantown, KY passed away Monday, December 25, 2023 at his residence. Ray was born on Sunday, May 15, 1955 in Greenville, KY to the union of the late Clifford "Pete" and Mary Margeurite Greathouse Neely. He was a member of Mt Olivet Missionary Baptist Church where he served as a deacon for many years. Ray retired after 35 years of service at Carpenters in Russellville, KY. He enjoyed traveling, playing golf and spending time with his grandchildren.

Virginia Nell Turner Smith “Granny”, age 80, of Morgantown, Ky. passed away peacefully on Monday, Dec. 25, 2023 at her residence.  She was born on May 22, 1943 in Golden Pond, KY.  She attended Temple View Church, was a homemaker and a long-time employee of Kuntry Kitchen.  Granny enjoyed spending time with her grandkids, great grandkids and great-great grandkids.  She was preceded in death by her parents Gilbert and Mathel Lofton Turner; husband Arlie “Beaver” Smith; son Randy Hamlet; several brothers and sisters.

Kevin Dale West, age 64, of Morgantown, KY, passed away on Friday, December 22, 2023, at the Hospice House of Southern Kentucky surrounded by his family.  He was born in Jefferson County, KY, on August 29, 1959.  Kevin was self-employed and enjoyed collecting coins and model cars. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Lloyd and Nina Mae Johnson West; one son William Dale West; and great niece Livia Winter Gray.

 Harold Evan Minton, age 75 of Morgantown, KY passed away Thursday, December 21,2023 peacefully in his sleep and into the open arms of his family that have gone on before him. Harold was born on Thursday, November 11, 1948 in Butler County, KY to the union of the late Evan Attewall and Georgia Mattline McKinney Minton. Harold was preceded in death by his parents, and one infant son Matthew Evan Minton. Harold grew up in Morgantown, Kentucky and lived in Rochester, Kentucky for 40 plus years.

Bonnie Belcher, age 69 of Morgantown, KY passed away Saturday, December 16, 2023 at the Morgantown Care & Rehab. Bonnie was born on Wednesday June 2, 1954 in Woodbury, KY to the union of the late Paul and Polley Elizabeth Adkins Jones. Other than her parents she is preceded in death by one son Bubby Phelps and seven siblings Joseph, Cecil, Earl, Harold, Anna Fay, Richard and Darrell Wayne Jones.

Jimmie Ray McKinney, age 82 of Morgantown, KY, passed away Friday, the 15th day of December, 2023 at his residence surrounded by family after his long battle with leukemia. Jimmie was born Friday, the 2nd day of May, 1941 in Salem, IL to the union of the late Ellie Buel and Bernice Haynes McKinney. Jimmie was a member of Bible Baptist Church in Indianapolis, IN and attended Woodbury Missionary Baptist Church. He worked at and retired from the Dollar General Store in Morgantown, KY for over 20 years. Jimmie also enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Saundra Mae Elmore, age 69 of Morgantown, KY passed away Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at her residence. Saundra was born on Tuesday, January 26, 1954 in Louisville, KY to the union of the late Guthrie and Virgie Willis Elmore. She was a past employee of Corvac Composites in Morgantown, KY.  Saundra volunteered at the Boys and Girls Club and  enjoyed riding motorcycles. Other than her parents she is preceded in death by three siblings Don Elmore, Bonnie Lee and Noble Elmore and one niece Kim Morris. 

Betty Jean Sickles Phelps, age 78 of Morgantown, KY passed away Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at the Morgantown Care & Rehab. Betty was born on Wednesday, January 24, 1945 in the Banock Community of Butler County, KY to the union of the late Willie and Freda Pierce Havens. She was a member of Morgantown First Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School for many years. Betty enjoyed being a member of the Monical and Larry Davis sewing group, sewing weekly at Morgantown First Baptist Church and the Butler County Library.

Saundra Gail Green, age 60, of Huntsville, KY passed away Monday, December 11, 2023 at her residence. Saundra Gail was born on Wednesday, December 12, 1962 in Amory, Mississippi to the union of  Carl and Sandra Edwards Brown. She was a member of New Midway Missionary Baptist Church and attended Monticello Missionary Baptist Church with her family.