Dycusburg News: Jan. 7, 2010

By Matthew T. Patton

Dorothy Dean (Shewcraft) Young was surprised with an 80th birthday party on Nov. 28. The party was held at the Christian Church Community Center in Owensboro, KY. Party was given by her daughters Kathy Ellis and Ann Yaudes. Friends and family attended with entertainment by Betty Shewcraft Hodges, Matthew and Mandy Hodges. She was also honored by the United Daughters of the Confederacy.

Dot, as she is called by her family and friends, is known for her humor and good deeds for others. Stories were told by family and friends of their most cherished memories with her. She grew up in the Frances and Mexico community. Her parents were Luther Frances and Oda Lee (Patton) Shewcraft. Her siblings Edna Macon, Betty Hodges, Carolyn DeSpain, Carlton Shewcraft, Minnie Nell Martin (deceased) and Keith Shewcraft (deceased).

We received the following Crittenden County genealogy query: "As a sixth descendant granddaughter of Joseph Newcom and Esther Dudley, I am trying to locate any data before Joseph Newcom immigrated to the U.S. Parents, siblings, POB, residence, etc. I would also like to obtain photos of this family pre and post immigration and family information. Contact Denise Newcomb at deedeenew@yahoo.com."

An interesting tidbit to report for genealogists: The Glenn Martin Genealogy Library in Princeton has received a wonderful Christmas gift in the form of a donation of the research files of the late Willis "Pat" Oliver, a native of Lyon County. The files were donated by Pat's widow, Trevah, and will be available for use by other researchers after they have been sorted and catalogued. Pat, a long time genealogist, was the original county coordinator of the Livingston, Caldwell, Crittenden, Lyon and Trigg County KYGenWeb sites. Among the families he researched were Oliver, Galusha, Parent, Throop, Chittenden and McCracken. (Source: Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog at wkygenealogy.blogspot.com).

December birthdays to report include Helen Travis (12/3), Angie Beverly Way (12/5), Chanda Guess Ortt (12/6), Clara Brown (12/8), Bobby Waters (12/9), J.R. Blake (12/11), Lonnie Travis (12/13), Matt Maxfield (12/13), C.T. Conner (12/14), Emily Smith (12/16), DeLois Paddock (12/17), Heather Guess Franklin (12/17), Travis Boone (12/19), Raymond Guess (12/24), Ryan Downing (12/27), Wade Brasher (12/30) and Jonathan Millikan (12/31).

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Obituary: Ruth Hard Rodgers, 94

Ruth Hard Rodgers, 94, of Princeton, died Nov. 29, 2009 at Rivers Bend Retirement Community.

She was a homemaker and was the oldest member of First Baptist Church of Fredonia where she taught Sunday school for many years before moving to Princeton in 1985.

Surviving are two daughters, Nita Rogers Thompson of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., and Rita Rogers Oldham of Princeton; three grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene Franklin Rogers; a son, Eugene Franklin Rogers Jr.; a brother, William Duke Hard; and two sisters, Sallie Irene Hard Dillon and Mary Augusta Hard Cranor.

Her parents were William Roland and Nellie Coleman Smith Hard.

Funeral services are at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 3 at Morgan's Funeral Home with Dr. Jerrell White officiating, assisted by Dr. Gary Frizzell. Burial will be at Fredonia Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Fredonia Valley Cemetery, c/o Hannah Brasher, Fredonia, KY 42411.