Beech Tree News Network

Peggy LeAnne Hatcher Ayers, age 54, of Morgantown, Ky. passed away on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 at the U.K. Chandler Hospital in Lexington, Ky.  She was born on Dec. 21, 1968 in Louisville, Ky. to Jerry Hatcher and the late Carol Cardwell Spurlock.  She was a member of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church and worked at Casco for 17 years. She loved painting, music, traveling and spending time with her grandchildren.  LeAnne was preceded in death by her mother.

Everett Leslie Russ, age 48 of Morgantown, KY passed away Saturday, July 22, 2023 at the Signature Health Care of Hartford in Hartford, KY. He was born on Tuesday, October 8, 1974 in Hartford, KY to the union of the late Edward L. and Betty Jean Patterson Russ. Everett loved Hot Wheel Cars, country music and The Johnny Carson Show. Other than his parents he is preceded in death by one sister Vonda Russ; maternal grandparents Everett Patterson and May Embry and paternal grandparents Les and Nora Russ. 

Mary Alice Motley Black, age 89, of Morgantown, Ky. passed away on Friday, July 14, 2023 at the Greenview Regional Hospital in Bowling Green, Ky.  She was born on Feb. 8, 1934 in Bowling Green, Ky. to the late Oval and Mildred Heal Motley.  She was a member of Cumberland Presbyterian Church and retired from the Butler Co. School System where she was a music teacher for many years.

Robert Lee Fields age 87 passed away on Thursday July 13,2023 at the Ohio County Hospital in Hartford KY surrounded by his family. Robert was born on July 12, 1936 in Butler County KY to the late Rollie and Stella Elms Fields. He was a United States Army veteran, a member of the Belmont General Baptist Church, and a farmer in Butler and Ohio Counties. Robert started his farming career by working in Louisville KY as a machinist and coming to Butler County on the weekends and farming until he was able to accomplish his goal of farming full time for over 55 years.

Jennifer Kay Whitaker, age 42 of Morgantown, KY passed away Thursday, July 13, 2023 at Hospice of Southern Kentucky in Bowling Green, KY. Jennifer was born on Saturday, January 10, 1981 in Bowling Green, KY to the late Myron Tichenor and Sandra Cook Garner who survives. She was a branch manager for Peoples Ready, she loved life and people. Jennifer enjoyed painting, arts and crafts and loved spending time with her family.  Other than her father she is preceded in death by her grandparents Harold and Bessie Williams and Lucian and Kathyn Tichenor and one grandchild Xavier Hardin.

Gaynell Smith Burden, age 79, or Morgantown, Ky. passed away on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 at Norton’s Hospital in Louisville, Ky.  She was born in Butler Co., Ky. on March 16, 1944 to the late Guffy and Lillie Frizzell Smith. Gaynell was a member of the First United Methodist Church. She drove the book mobile at the public library but spent the majority of her life as a caregiver for her loved ones. Gaynell loved to garden, play bingo, thrifting and spending time with her family.  She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands Clay Porter and Edwin Burden; sister Janice Smith Evans.

Ricky Dale LeGrand, age 57, of Central City, Ky. passed away on Sunday, July 9, 2023 at his residence.  He was born in Greenville, Ky. on April 6, 1966 to Robert LeGrand and the late Virginia Lee Renfrow. He was a carpenter and general construction worker. Ricky loved to fish and whittle wood to make canes for everyone.  He was preceded in death by his mother.

Albin Johnson, age 74 of Morgantown, KY passed away Saturday, July 8, 2023 at the Hospice House of Southern Kentucky in Bowling Green, KY. Albin was born on Thursday, November 11, 1948 in Bee Springs, KY to the union of the late Everett and Mable Pate Johnson. He was a member of the American Legion and he attended Carve Rock Baptist Church. Albin was a retired drywall finisher, who enjoyed reading and watching wrestling. Other than his parents he is preceded in death by one grandson Terry Bradshaw. 

Christopher “CJ” James Neighbors, age 36, of Elkton, Ky. passed away on Saturday, July 8, 2023 at his residence.  He was born in Bowling Green, Ky.

Joyce McKinney Taylor, 82 of Morgantown, KY passed away Saturday November 21, 2020 at her residence. She was born July 30, 1938 in the Quality Community of  Butler County, KY to the late Rollie McKinney and Nellie Ann Proctor Osborne. Joyce was a member of Mt Vernon Missionary Baptist Church and enjoyed square dancing and crocheting.  Joyce was retired from the Butler County Library, she was the operator and driver for the Book Mobile delivering books to homes in Butler County for many years.