Obituaries from Nancy Bray's personal files
Generously transcribed and submitted by Nancy Bray, thanks Nancy!

MRS. JULIA ABERCROMBIE     

Mrs. Julia Abercrombie, aged 80 years, highly esteemed Christian woman and a native of Pendleton County, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Thomas Carr, near Morgan, Thursday morning, May 26, 1955, at 1 o'clock, after a long illness.

She was the daughter of the late John and Nan Doan Lovelace, and was born April 4, 1875.  In early life she united with the Short Creek Baptist Church and later moved her membership to the Mt. Moriah Christian Church.  She was married to Harper Lee Abercrombie about 64 years ago and to this union nine children were born, five of whom survive.

Preceding her in death were these children:  Mrs. Emma Munson, Mrs. Virgie Gosney, Clarence Abercrombie, and Grace Abercrombie.

She leaves the following survivors, two daughters and three sons:  Mrs. John Fletcher of Tampa, Fla., Everett Abercrombie of Danville, Edwin Abercrombie of Covington, Emert Abercrombie of Falmouth, and Mrs. Carr; and one sister Mrs. Mollie Vanlandingham of Covington.

Mrs. Abercrombie and her late husband resided in the Mt. Moriah community since 1906.  She came from a pioneer Pendleton County family and during her lifetime took an interest in church and community affairs as long as her health permitted.  She was a loving wife and mother and will be sadly missed not only by her children but by many friends.

Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon at Mt. Moriah Christian Church, conducted by Rev. W. M. Lenox, who paid her a fitting tribute.  Burial took place in the churchyard cemetery.  Thomas, Fossett & Shotwell were in charge of arrangements.

The music was furnished by the Mt. Moriah choir with Mrs. Richard Jacob at the piano.

Pall bearers were Paul and Arnold Abercrombie, John and James Carr, Willard Fletcher, and Ernest Gosney Jr.

Flower bearers were Mrs. John Carr, Mrs. Paul Abercrombie, Mrs. Marvin Wright, Mrs. James Blick, Mrs. Lula Gray, Mrs. Ernest Gosney Jr., Mrs. Florence Yelton, Mrs. Gladys Calvert, Mrs. Aleene Ashcraft, and Mrs. Irene Hirsch.

JAMES E. ABERCROMBIE

James E. Abercrombie, aged 86 years, retired farmer, died Monday, May 11th, (1959) at his home at 1523  Holman St. Covington.

He leaves his widow, Mrs. Mary Sorrell Abercrombie, two daughters, Mrs. Florence Yelton and Mrs. Iona Thompson, both of Covington, one son, Roy Abercrombie, Pendleton County, one brother Charles Abercrombie, Upland, California, 14 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at the Turner Ridge Baptist Church Wednesday afternoon, May 15, conducted by Rev. James Souder.

Special music was furnished by a group of singers from the Covington Baptist Church.

The casket bearers were James Thompson, Melvin Thompson, Dan Napier, Jay Colemire, Burnie Thompson, and Leroy Abercrombie.

The flower bearers were Gladys Colmire, Beverly Abercrombie, Mildred Brown, Dorothy Waltheers, Mary M. Walters, Marian Abercrombie, Kay Abercrombie, Marian Thompson, Jean Thompson, Peggy Thompson, Iona Napier, Barbara Napier, Patsy Thompson, Allen Thompson, Randal Thompson, Paul Thompson, Glenden Abercrombie, Billy Ray Girzzell, and Conley Thompson.

Burial took place in the Turner Ridge Cemetery.  The Thomas and Shotwell Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Dempsey Turner, 73, Falmouth, Dies Monday

Mrs. Gertrude McCann Turner, age 73, of Falmouth, wife of Dempsey Turner, was born in Pendleton Co., Ky. on April 15, 1906, daughter of the late Joseph Richard and Martha Abercrombie Dunn and passed away suddenly at her home, 6 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 25., 1980, of an apparent heart attack.

She was a member of the Roanoke Christian Church, Pendleton Co. and formerly lived in that community.  She was united in marriage to Gobel McCann, and he preceded her in death in 1963.  To this union three children were born, two daughters, Mrs. Goldie Griffith, of Loveland, Ohio and Mrs. Virginia Griffin, of Westminster, California and a son, Rev. James J. McCann of Falmouth, Ky.

Later she married Mr. Dempsey Turner, who also survives.

In addition to her husband and children, she leaves 14 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren and two half-sisters, Mrs. Nancy Yelton, of Falmouth, Ky. and Cora Elizabeth Mains of Williamstown, Ky., and three half-brothers, Hubert Dunn of Falmouth, Ky., George Dunn, of Florence, Ky., and David Dunn of Grant Co., Ky.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 27th., at Woodhead Funeral Chapel, Falmouth, by Rev. Eudell Hall.  Interment took place in the Roanoke Cemetery, Pendleton Co.

Mrs L. Ruth Monroe, 64, Zephyrhills, Fla., Dies Jan. 29th; Burial at Falmouth

Mrs. L. Ruth Monroe, age 64 years, of Zephyrhills, Fla., passed away Sunday, January 29th., 1978 at Community General Hospital in that city.

Mrs. Monroe was born in Falmouth, Ky. May 11th, 1914 the daughter of the late Joseph and Martha Abercrombie Dunn.  She was married to Edwin Swain in 1930 and he preceded her in death in 1967.  She then married Johnny Monroe in 1968 and he preceded her in death in 1976. 

She lived most of her adult life in Indiana and in later years in Florida.  She was a member of the American Baptist Church.

Mrs. Monroe is survived by three sisters, Mrs. Gertrude Turner and Mrs. Nancy Yelton, both of Falmouth, and Mrs. Cora Mains of Dry Ridge, three brothers, Hubert Dunn, Falmouth, George Dunn, Burlington, and a foster brother, Wilbert Kile of Indiana.

Mrs. Monroe is well and favorably remembered by many friends in Falmouth and many are saddened by her passing.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, Feb. 1st, 1978 at 2 p.m. at the Peoples Funeral Home conducted by Rev. James McCann.  Burial took place in Riverside Cemetery under the direction of Peoples Funeral Home.

Rail Worker Crushed

A trackman for the Louisville & Nashville Railroad was crushed Monday at Decoursey Yards and later died in the emergency room of St. Elizabeth Hospital, Covington.
Gobel McCann, 62, RR 1, Falmouth, Ky., suffered a crushed chest and possible internal injuries. 
R. P. Hadden, a resident engineer of the railroad, said Mr. McCann was walking toward the front of a truck crane.  He said the crane swung as Mr. McCann reached a spot where he could not be seen by crane operator, S. J. Sturgill, of Covington.  Mr. McCann was pinned between the frame of the crane and the counterweight of the crane boom.

Gobel McCann, 62, Is Buried Thursday

Gobel McCann, son of Alvin and Addie Ravenscraft McCann, was born near Roanoke, Pendleton County on January 26, 1901 and suddenly departed this life at the St. Elizabeth Hospital, Covington, on Monday January 14th (1963) after suffering an accident at the Decoursey Rail Road Yards, at the age of 62 years.  Mr. McCann resided at Roanoke, Pendleton County.

He was united in marriage to Gertrude Dunn, on October 23, 1920 and to this union four children were born, one having passed on in infancy, the surviving being; Rev. James McCann of Falmouth, pastor of the Sunrise Christian Church, Harrison County, Mrs. Goldie Marie Fornash of Newport, Ky., and Mrs. Virginia Louise Shouse of West Minister, California.  Besides his devoted wife and children he is survived by one sister, Miss America McCann, and two half-brothers, Cecil and Frank Dance, all of near Roanoke, and 13 grandchildren, and a number of distant relatives.

Mr. McCann was a devoted member of the Roanoke Christian Church with which he united in early life, also a member of the Railroad Brotherhood.  He was honest, upright, dependable, sober and understanding gentleman of the highest type.  He was a good neighbor, true friend, an ardent worker, and will be sadly missed by his many friends.

Funeral services were conducted from the Roanoke Christian Church, Pendleton County, on Thursday afternoon, January 17th, at 2:00 o'clock.  Rev. C. Marion Railey, his former pastor and close friend, and Rev. Tom Mefford, his pastor, officiated.

Special music was offered by the following members of the church choir:  Mrs. Betty Adams, Mrs. Randall Moore, Mrs. Roscoe Wells, Mrs. Ruth Antrobus, Mrs. Norma House, Mrs. Venton Wells, Mrs. Carol House and Mrs. Bill Moore, with Mrs. C. Marion Railey presiding at the church piano.

Serving as casket bearers were:  John King, Overton Ashcraft, Roscoe Wells, Russell Moore, Clyde Jenkins and Porter Mann.

Serving as flower bearers were:  All of the members of the church choir and also Virgil Mann, Raymond Jenkins, Donald House, George House, Ed  Bishop, Ronald Bishop, and Alvin Bishop.

Interment followed in the Roanoke Church Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements were carried out under the direction of the Woodhead and Sons Funeral Home, Falmouth.

JOSEPH R. (JACK) DUNN

Joseph Richard Dunn, aged 69 years, an employee of the city of Falmouth for 23 years, died at his home on Silver St., this city, Saturday night, April 12, 1947, following a two weeks' illness.  Death was attributed to a heart attack.

He was the son of John and Carolyn Dunn, and was born Sept. 22, 1877.  He was first married to Martha Abercrombie, and two children survive this union, Mrs. Gobel McCann of Morgan and Mrs. Ed Swain of Indianapolis, Ind.  He later married Cora Fornash on March 2, 1920, and to this union the following children were born:  Mrs. James Yelton, of Williamstown, Mrs. Paul Mains, Hubert, George and David Dunn, all of Falmouth.

Besides his widow and children, he leaves eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Mr. Dunn, who was known to everyone as "Jack," worked in the street utility department of the city of Falmouth for many years.  He was a valued employee of the city, as well as one of its oldest from the standpoint of service.

Funeral services were held Tuesday at 2 o'clock at the Thomas & Fossett Funeral Home in this city, conducted by Rev. W. M. Lenox.  Burial took place in Riverside Cemetery.

The honorary casket bearers were the Mayor and City Councilmen.

The casket bearers were Hobart Lawson, Ed Davis, Alvin Donohue, Randall Marquette, William Hopkins and Howard Lawson.

Special music was furnished by Mrs. Ella Simpson, Mrs. Roscoe Tucker, Frazer Norris and C. H. Fossett, with Mrs. C. H. Fossett at the piano.

RUSSELL DUNN

Russell (Red) Dunn, son of Jack Dunn of this city, departed this life Feb. 27, 1947, at Needles, California, following a long illness.

He was 38 years of age, and was a member of the Short Creek Baptist Church.

Mr. Dunn leaves to mourn his passing his wife and son, father, and four sisters and three brothers, Mrs. Gobel McCann of Morgan, Mrs. Ed Swain of Indianapolis, Ind., Mrs. James Yelton of Williamstown, Mrs. Paul Mains of Falmouth and Hubert, George and David Dunn all of Falmouth.

Burial was in Needles, California.

MRS. MARTHA J. DUNN

Mrs. Martha J. Dunn, wife of Joseph Dunn, died Saturday night, Feb. 20th,(1915) at 8:00, after a lingering illness of consumption.  Deceased was thirty-three years of age and most estimable woman.  The funeral was held Monday at the Turner Ridge Church, conducted by Rev. J. H. Sharp.  Burial took place in the church yard cemetery.

Deceased was born August 14, 1881, and was a daughter of Ruth Abercrombie.  She united with the Baptist Church when quite a young girl, and was married to Joseph Dunn   Oct. 15, 1903, unto this union 6 children were born, three of whom survive with with the husband, and also survived by four brothers and one sister.
(Note:  Martha was the daughter of James and  Ruth McDaniel Abercrombie)

MRS. ADELINE DANCE

Adeline Ravenscraft was born Jan. 25, 1876, and died March 25, 1947, at the age of 71 years.

Se was the daughter of the late James and Jane Ravenscraft.  She was married to Alvin McCann in 1895.  To this union three children were born, one dying in infancy, and two surviving, Gobel and America.

In later years she was married to Marion Francis Dance.  To this union two children were born, Frank and Cecil.

Other survivors are one sister and one brother, Mary Ingles of Riverview and John Ravenscraft of Roanoke; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.She united with the Roanoke Christian Church at an early age and remained faithful.  She was a good mother to her children and always lent a helping hand to everyone. 

Services were conducted by Rev. Winters at the Roanoke Christian Church on Tuesday, March 27, 1947, at 3 P.M.  Funeral arrangements were by Elliston & Stanley.

Pallbearers were M. M. JEnkins, Raymond Jenkins, Jess Bruce, Rollie Dance, Claude Dance and Chester Wells.

Flower girls were Agnes Mann, Aleene Moore, Rosemond Mann and Elizabeth Dance.
(Note:  Addie was the daughter of James and Jane Ackman Ravenscraft)

MISS AMERICA MCCANN   

Miss America McCann, age 80 years, of Route #1, Falmouth, passed away Monday, April 3, 1978 at Flemingsburg Hospital in Flemingsburg, Ky.

She was a member of the Roanoke Christian Church.  She was born in Pendleton County Feb. 19, 1898 the daughter of Alvin and Addie Ravenscraft McCann.

She is survived by two half brothers, Frank and Cecil Dance, both of Falmouth.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 6, 1978 at Peoples Funeral Home, conducted by Bro. Eudell Hall.

Burial will be in Roanoke Cemetery under the direction of Peoples Funeral Home.

Miss McCann was a fine Christian woman and had many friends in her community.  She will be sadly missed by all.

FRANK DANCE

Frank Dance, 78, of Route 1, Berry, died Wednesday (December 5, 1990), at Harrison Memorial Hospital, Cynthiana.  He was a retired maintenance supervisor for the Pendleton County School System, where he worked for 25 years.  He was a member of Roanoke Christian Church and Roanoke Cemetery Board.

Survivors include his wife, a son, and a daughter; 2 half sisters, and three grandchildren and a step great granddaughter.  Services will be at 2 P.M. Saturday at Peoples Funeral Home, Falmouth.  Visitation will be from 4 to 9 tonight at the funeral home.  Burial will be in Roanoke Cemetery.
(Note:  Frank was the son of Marion Francis and  Addie Ravenscraft McCann Dance.)

CECIL DANCE

Cecil Ellis Dance, 71 of Berry, fornerly of the Roanoke Community in Pendleton County, died yesterday at Spring Haven Rest Home, Georgetown.  He was a retired farmer and an Army veteran of World War II.

Survivors include a brother, Frank Dance of Berry; two half sisters; and a niece.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Peoples Funeral Home, Falmouth.  Visitation will be there from 5 - 9 p.m. tomorrow.  Burial will be in the Roanoke Cemetery.
(Note:  Cecil was the son of Marion Francis and Addie Ravenscraft McCann Dance.)

SAMUEL FORNASH     

Samuel Fornash was born in Pendleton County January 19, 1860, and departed this life July 21, 1933 at the age of 73 years, 6 months and 2 days.  He united with the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church and lived a consistant Christian life until the end.

Mr. Fornash was united in marriage to Miss Cornelia Dunn and to this union were born nine children.  After the death of this loving communion, he again entered matrimony with Miss Nancy Mire on January 25, 1898.  To this union were born sixteen children, eight of whom survive.

He leaves to mourn his loss his widow, Mrs. Nancy Mire Fornash; four daughters, Mrs. Jack Dunn of Falmouth, Misses Virginia and Katie Fornash of Newport, Miss Winifred Fornash at home; four sons; Wesley Fornash of Marion, Ky., George Fornash of Norfolk, Va., Edward Fornash and Carlos Fornash of Newport; also sixteen grandchildren.

The funeral was conducted at the Short Creek Baptist Church Sunday afternoon by the Rev. J. H. Sharp.

The pallbearers were Carlos and Edward Fornash, Russell Coghill and Delbert Nichols.  Moore & Thomas were in charge of arrangements.

MRS NANCY FORNASH     

Mrs. Nancy Thomas Fornash, daughter of John and Virginia Dennis Mire, was born in Pendleton County on November 10, 1878, and departed this life at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Cora Dunn, on Silver Street, in this city, on January 4, 1950 at the age of 71 years, 1 month, and 24 days. 

She was united in marriage to Samuel Fornash, who preceded her in death some 18 years ago.  To this union 16 children were born, eight of whom survive.  They are Mrs. Cora Dunn of Falmouth, George Fornash of near Falmouth, Mrs. Virginia Nicholas of Newport, Mrs. Katie Traylor of near Falmouth, Mrs. Winifred Wyatt of Burlington, Carlos Fornash of Newport, Wesley Fornash of Cincinnati, and Edward Fornash of Alexandria.  Besides her eight devoted children, she is survived by 36 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, two sisters, Mrs. Mollie Wilson, of Covington and Mrs. Eunice Mockbee of Newport, and one brother Carlos Mire of Knoxville, besides a number of distant relatives and a host of close friends.

Mrs. Fornash was a member of the Short Creek Baptist Church having united with that church in early life.  She was a devoted wife and loving mother, a true friend and a lovely lady in every sense of the word.  Besides having reared her own children, she reared a number of grandchildren who had been orphaned by death.

Funeral services were conducted by Rev. W. M. Lenox from the Woodhead Funeral Home on Friday January 6th at 11 o'clock.  Interment took place in the Short Creek Cemetery.

The pall bearers were George Fornash Jr., George Dunn, William Traylor, David Dunn, J. B. Yelton and John Wyatt.

The flower bearers were Bettie Ann Fornash, Carol Traylor, Midgie Mains, Ann Traylor, Bettie Jean and Ruth Fornash, and Nancy Nichols.

The music was furnished by a quartet composed of Mrs. Louis Mills, Mrs. Joseph Woodhead, J. M. Mason and Rev. R. E. McElmurry with Miss Lou Redman at the piano.

MRS SARAH K. TRAYLOR

Mrs. Sarah Katherine Traylor (nee Fornash) was born March 21, 1901, and peacefully passed away at her home on the Falmouth and Milford Road Wednesday afternoon, August 6, 1952, at the age of 51 years, four months and 15 days, after an extended illness.

She was the daughter of the late Samuel and Nancy Mire Fornash, and was a member of a large family of children.  Surviving her in her paternal family are the following brothers and sisters:  Samuel Fornash of Cincinnati, Mrs. Cora Dunn of Falmouth, George Fornash of Ludlow, Ed Fornash of Alexandria, Carlos Fornash and Mrs. Virginia Nicholas of Newport, and Mrs. Winfred Wyatt of Pendleton County.

She was first united in marriage to Thomas Dunn, and a daughter, Shirley, was born to this union, and there are also three grandchildren.

Her second marriage was to James Traylor, who survives.  Two sons and daughters were born to this union.  They are William Traylor and Harold Traylor, both of Pendleton County, Mrs. Joyce Shay of Alexandria and Miss Carol Traylor at home.  There are also five grandchildren and a host of other relatives.

Mrs. Traylor was born in Grant County beyond Short Creek but lived most of her life in this county.  She was a member of the Grassy Creek Church of Christ, and was a splendid Christian woman.

Funeral services were held at the Thomas, Fossett & Yelton Funeral Home on Friday afternoon, conducted by Rev. W. M. Lenox.  Burial took place in Short Creek Cemetery.

Special music was furnished by Mrs. Ella Simpson and Mrs. Roscoe Tucker, with Mrs. Alva Cushman at the organ.

Flower girls were Ruth Ann Traylor, Ruth Fornash, Betty Fornash, Rosie Fornash, Lucille Powell, Kathryn Hill, G. Shay, Vala Jean Shay, and Ada Browning.

Casket bearers were Ray Powell, John Fornash, Gus Browning, Ben Browning,  Ed Dorton, and Carl Shay.

MRS. ELLA MULLINS

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Middendorf funeral home, 917 Main Street, Covington for Mrs. Ella Mullins, who died Saturday at St. Elizabeth Hospital after a short illness.  Burial will be in Independence Cemetery.

Mrs. Mullins, a 72 year old native of Pendleton County, lived most of her life at 333 Pike Street, Covington.

She leaves three sons, Thomas Mullins, Covington; Wesley Mullins, Cincinnati, and Herman Mullins, Grand Rapids, Michigan; three daughters, Mrs. Alma Johnson, Mrs. Shirley Creamer and Mrs. Pearl Orr, all of Covington; three sisters, a brother and eight grandchildren.
(The best I can figure this death was around 1949.  The information I have has her being born around 1877)

MR. CHARLES F. MIRE

Funeral services were held Wednesday, January 28, 1953, for Charles F. Mire, aged 75 years, who died Sunday in a Lexington hospital after a long illness.  He was a well known Knoxville blacksmith.

Mr. Mire, who was a member of Knoxville Baptist Church, leaves his widow, Lucy; three daughters, Mrs. J. W. Eckler of Williamstown, Mrs. Florence Spegal of Covington, and Mrs. Lucian Dietz of Cincinnati; two sons, Curry of Dayton, Ohio, and Harmon of Lawrenceburg, Ind.; two sisters, Mrs. James Mockbee of Newport and Mrs. Molly Wilson of Covington; 25 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. 

Mr. Mire was also a member of Locust Grove Jr. O. U. A. M.

GEORGE FORNASH
(1968)
George William Fornash, 59, of Rt. 1, California, died at 4 a.m., yesterday in Speers Hospital where he had been five days.

Mr. Fornash had been an engineer for the Interlake Steel Corp., Newport, for the past 17 years.  He retired in 1948 as chief petty officer after 22 years in the Coast Guard.

Survivors include his wife, Margaret; a daughter, and three sisters, Mrs. Cora Dunn, Falmouth, Mrs. Virginia Nicholas, Newport, and Mrs. Winnie Wyatt, Corinth.

Also three brothers, Wesley, Falmouth; Edward, Alexandria, and Carlos Fornash, Newport.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Flagg Springs Baptist Church following prayers at 1:15 at the Alexandria Funeral Home.

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