Obituaries published in the Jessamine Journal 7.11.19
Published 4:02 pm Thursday, July 11, 2019
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Doris Ann Burdine Strong
Nov. 1, 1931 – July 8, 2019
Doris Ann Burdine Strong, 87, of Lexington, went home to be with her Lord on July 8, 2019.
She was born on Nov. 1, 1931 to the late Collis and Nellie Burdine of Spears, Kentucky.
Doris graduated from Wilmore High School at the age of only 16 and the Valedictorian of her class. She then attended Fugazzi Business College.
After graduation, she was employed as a secretary with Kingsley Insurance Agency in Lexington.
Doris married the late Carl Strong in 1951.
She gave up her business career to become a wonderful wife and mother, celebrating over 50 years of a happy marriage.
Mourning her passing and cherishing her memory are her two children: Karla Strong Martello and Nick (Kim) Strong; grandchildren, Jeff Martello, Sarah (Brandon) Wells, Maggie (Alex) Blanton, Lesley (Jared) Hager, and Katie Martello; step-grandchildren, Lauren Cowley and Travis (Jenipher) Cowley; step-great-grandson, Pierce Cowley. Survivors also include her nieces and nephews.
Doris was predeceased by her loving husband and her sister, Betty Jean Tuttle (John).
Doris was a very devoted member of the Athens Christian Church where she shared her love of fellowship with all that knew her.
She was also an active member of the Women’s Church Auxiliary, volunteering her time and deliciously prepared food items for different events.
Doris was also a member and leader of the Clays Ferry Chapter of the University of Kentucky Extension Homemakers Club where she made many lasting friendships.
She loved to cook, sew, garden, and work with arts and crafts. Her love of home and family was evident in everything that she touched and will be greatly missed by all of those who knew her.
Doris was also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and was very proud to say that she was related to Abraham Lincoln.
Visitation will be on Friday, July 12, 2019 from 8 to 10:30 a.m. with funeral services at 10:30 a.m., Milward-Southland, 391 Southland Drive, Lexington. Burial will follow the service at Hillcrest Memorial Park, 2089 Versailles Road, Lexington.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Doris’ memory may be made to Athens Christian Church Building Fund, 6295 Athens Boonesboro Road, Lexington, KY 40509. www.milwardfuneral.com
William Thomas Soper
Oct. 29, 1928 – July 7, 2019
Mr. William Thomas “Bill” Soper, 90, of Frederick, MD, passed away on Sunday, July 7, 2019, at his home.
He is survived by his second wife, Janet L. Michael.
His first wife of 48 years, Helen J. Soper, predeceased him in May 2003.
Born October 29, 1928 in Nicholasville, KY, he was the son of the late Leighton Miller Soper and Vella Parrish Soper.
He was a special nephew of the late Ora Soper Schneider and DR. F. O. Schneider of Nicholasville, who raised him from the age of five, in their home now known as “The Corner House Bed and Breakfast”, on Richmond Avenue, in Nicholasville.
Surviving in addition to his wife is a daughter, Karen S. Bowers and husband Martin, of Hagerstown, MD and his son, Karl W. Soper and wife Lynne, of Mt. Airy, MD.
Also surviving are two granddaughters, Jennifer Anne Bowers and Claire Virginia Soper and two grandsons, William Wallace Soper and Robert Anthony Soper.
He is also survived by Martha Faye Foster, widow of his late nephew, Tom Foster and their children Tobin and Colby Foster.
Bill graduated from the University of Kentucky with BS and MS degrees in Microbiology. He began his professional career as a teaching assistant at UK and an instructor in Microbiology and Public Health at Eastern Kentucky University.
He was a research microbiologist and technical information administrator at Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD from 1956 to 1970 and authored a number of scientific papers on virus-tissue culture interactions.
Leaving Fort Detrick in 1970 he became an information specialist, medical writer and editor at the National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, where he was an author and or co-author of various articles on cancer treatment.
He retired in 1987.
During his professional career, he was a member of the Research Honorary Sigma Xi
(UK), the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) and Scientific Research Society of America (RESA) at fort Detrick.
Bill and Janet were able to travel widely throughout the United States and the world, touching on every continent.
Janet did miss Antarctica but Bill, a US Navy Veteran, was a member of a photographic unit after WW II engaged in aerial mapping of the Antarctic coast during the 1946 South Pole Expedition led by Admiral Richard Byrd.
Bill especially valued his roles in stage productions and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Fredericktowne Players (1974-1983) and in several other productions since 2005, notably in his last performance as the “Star Keeper” in Carousel in July 2012.
Bill was a Kentucky Colonel and locally he was a member of the Francis Scott Key American Legion Post # 11, the Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge # 371, Amvets Post # 2, the Elks Lodge # 684. NARFE Chapter # 409, and the AARP Chapter # 636.
There will be a memorial service held at 2 p.m., on Saturday, July 13, 2019 at the Keeney and Basford Funeral Home, 106 East Church Street, Frederick. Interment will be private at a later date in Resthaven Memorial Gardens, Frederick.
No flowers are requested, however memorial contributions may be made to the Janet L. Hahn Michael fund at the Community Foundation of Frederick County, 312 East Church Street, Frederick, MD 21701 or a charity of ones choice.
Donald Lee Alexander
Jan. 17, 1937 – July 8, 2019
Donald Lee Alexander, 82, husband of Shelby Jane Carender Alexander died Monday, July 8, 2019 at his home.
He was born on January 17, 1937 in Lexington, Kentucky the son of the late Samuel and Edith Hukle Alexander.
Don was a member of Pinckard Baptist Church, owner of Alexander Transport and he took pride in starting the first Church Basketball League in Jessamine County and was the President for 7 years.
Survivors include two sons, Adam (Lisa) Alexander, Terry (Stephanie) Alexander and a daughter, Donna (James) Sullivan and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Services will be 11 a.m., Friday July 12, 2019 at Betts & West Funeral Home with Pastor Scott Ford officiating. Interment will be in Wilmore Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home. Online guestbook at www.BettsandWestfuneralhome.com
Phillip Andrew Williams
July 16, 1998 – July 5, 2019
Phillip Andrew Williams
Phillip Andrew Williams, 20, passed away Friday, July 5, 2019. Visitation and Funeral was held July 10, 2019 at Bethel Harvest Church. www.clarklegacycenter.com
Michael Clay Fairchild
Nov. 26, 1964 – July 8, 2019
Michael Clay Fairchild, 54, brother of Melanie Johnson, died Monday. Services 11 a.m., Saturday at Betts & West Funeral Home, visitation 3 to 9 p.m. Friday. www.BettsandWestfuneralhome.com
Deborah Johnson
April 16, 1971 – July 3, 2019
Hager & Cundiff was honored to serve the family of Deborah Michelle Johnson, 48, beloved daughter of Ernest and Frances Stokley, granddaughter, sister, and aunt.
Elinor Jean Wolford
July 21, 1933 – July 3, 2019
Hager & Cundiff was honored to serve the family of Elinor Jean Wolford, Wilmore, mother of Tom, Steve, and Andy. Services were in Abingdon, Illinois.
Dolores Waits
Dec. 15, 1927 – June 28, 2019
Hager & Cundiff is honored to serve the family of Dolores Royse Waits. Visit 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, Remembrance Service 1 p.m. Tuesday, both at Hager & Cundiff.