Gayle Lawrence

May 19, 1931 – Dec. 4, 2018

Gayle Lawrence, 87, went to live with his Heavenly Father Dec. 4, 2018.

He is survived by his daughter Sharon Peniston Lawrence, and his two granddaughters Rachel and Sarah.

Gayle was born May 19, 1931. He was the son of Rosalie Wiley Lawrence, a school teacher and Jerome Vivian Lawrence, a manager for Bell South telephone company. He spent his childhood in many small towns in Kentucky.

He married his sweetheart Carolyn Peniston Lawrence, Feb. 1, 1952. They had one daughter, Sharon.

Gayle, a strong Christian, believed in the best in people and would always give generously to causes he believed in. 

He was a graduate of the University of Kentucky’s School of Engineering, and earned his Masters in Business from Nova University.

He was drafted during the Korean War and serviced at White Sands Proving Ground Texas, where he developed guidance systems for missiles. It made his career, which involved working for NASA as an aerospace engineer from the year the space program began. His time at NASA spanned during the Gemini, Mercury, Saturn and Apollo Space Programs. He helped develop guidance control systems, life support systems and solar panels.

Later he would work for General Electric in several managerial projects, at Phillips Industries he helped design the PETS Machine that plugged into military aircraft to perform diagnostics, similar machines are still used today in the aircraft and auto industries.

His last position was with Pratt and Whltney Aircraft Engines as project manager of Quality Control for various projects. When he described his career he would say, “I helped put man on the moon!”
Gayle retired to take care of his wife Carolyn who had been severely injured. They spent most of their time together because they truly loved each other. Seldom did you see one without the other.
Gayle loved people. The last few years he has been enjoying the Wilmore IGA mens’ group. He went down every day for coffee and donuts. He considered them the highlight of the day. He also enjoyed the mens’ Saturday breakfast at the United Methodist Church, and the Wednesday night meals. He would pray nightly for the men and church members that were experiencing difficulties. He knew prayer mattered.
Gayle was a loved husband, father and grandfather who told the best stories, the corniest jokes, and he was always rutting for the Kentucky Wildcats.
Funeral preparations Betts and West Funeral Home, Nicholasville, Kentucky. Visitation was at Betts and West, Friday, Dec. 7, 2018, 5 to 8 p.m., and Saturday Dec. 8 visitation, 11 a.m. to noon in Clark Chapel in Wilmore United Methodist Church, East Main Street, Wilmore. Funeral followed at noon. Burial Wilmore Cemetery.

Clergy were Reverend D. Merricks and Reverend J.Wayne Vaughan of Wilmore United Methodist Church. Pianist Reverend Richard Dwyer

Family request in lieu of flowers that donations be sent to:
Asbury University, 1 Macklem Drive, Wilmore Kentucky 40390 with Peniston Honors in the memo. For Dog lovers: Tennessee Pekinese Rescue, PO Box 67, Oakdale, TN 37829
University of Kentucky College of Engineering Ralph G. Anderson Building, 351 Administration Drive, Lexington, KY 40506.

Richard Duggins

Nov. 13, 1947 – Dec. 6, 2018

Richard Duggins, 71, died Thursday. Betts & West Funeral Home was honored to serve the family with services 1 p.m., Wednesday at the funeral home. 

Mark Belcher

Nov. 22, 1958 – Dec. 4 2018

Hager & Cundiff is honored to provide services for Mark Belcher, 60, father of Lisle. Visit 2:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15 at 1827 Cantrill Drive, Lexington.

Dewayne Eades

March 17, 1954 – Dec. 5, 2018

Hager & Cundiff is honored to serve the family of Dewayne Eades, 64. Service 6 p.m. Dec. 28 at Jessamine Christian Church with Visitation from 4 to 6 p.m.

Kenneth Houp

June 4, 1942 – Dec. 10, 2018

Hager & Cundiff is honored to serve the family of Kenneth Houp, husband of Brenda. Visit 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday. Service 1:30 p.m. Friday at Hager & Cundiff.

Bobby Landrum

April 6, 1944 – Dec. 11, 2018

Bobby Landrum, 74, passed away Dec. 11, 2018. No services are planned at this time. www.clarklegacycenter.com

Renna E. Kitts

July 5, 1950 – Dec. 5, 2018

Renna E. Kitts, 68, Lexington, passed away peacefully at St. Joseph’s Hospice Unit on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018 after a four-year battle with Uterine Cancer.

Born in Barbourville, on July 5, 1950 to the late Dock and Vera Kitts, she was a graduate of Lafayette High School and the Lexington Citizens Police Academy.

Renna worked in the registration department as a health services clerk with the Lexington Health Department from September 2000 to June 2012 when she retired.

She also worked for Save-A-Lot on Southland Drive as a part-time employee.

Renna was a member of the Bread of Life Assembly of God Church in Lexington. She also attended Bible study and taught off and on for the Women’s Ministry at the Church of Deliverance in Lexington.

Renna had a very strong faith in God and never waived on her belief. She loved attending church, meeting new people, and spending time with family and friends. She was an avid animal lover and she loved God, her church family, friends, her children: Tammy and James and especially her grandchildren: Layne and Brianna.
Renna is survived by her daughter, Tammy E. (Brent Boyer, Jr.) Cumby of Lancaster; her son, James A. Cumby of Lexington; her grandchildren, Andrew “Layne” Cumby and Brianna E. Peel, both of Lancaster and her two beloved cats, Chloe and Tigger.
Her Celebration of Life Service will be 5 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018 at the Bread of Life Assembly of God Church, 1705 Jennifer Rd, Lexington. A reception will follow at the church.
Christmas was our beloved mother’s and grandmother’s time of year. For this we are requesting everyone contribute and ornament in her memory. There will be a Christmas tree displayed by the memorial table where the ornaments can be hung in her memory.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Renna’s second home, The Bread of Life Assembly of God, 1705 Jennifer Road, Lexington, Ky 40505. Alexander & Royalty Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.