Lindsey Avery Hudspeth
Lindsey Avery Hudspeth, 66, of Murray, Kentucky, passed away Saturday, April 12, 2025, at his home.
Born Jan. 8, 1959, in Calloway County, Kentucky, he was the son of Lewis Daniel and Florence Lurene (Kenley) Hudspeth.
He was an outstanding athlete at Murray High School from 1974 to 1977, and was elected to the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2017 for his contributions to the football, basketball, and baseball teams. He enrolled at Murray State University and became an integral part of the Racer football team. He continued to share his love of football by serving as an assistant coach at Murray High School, under Head Coach Rick Fisher. He was later employed at Fisher-Price Toys/Mattel and retired as a supervisor from Bunzl Retail Services. He was a member of Greater Hope Missionary Baptist Church.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Victor Allen Hudspeth.
Lindsey is survived by his daughter, Charde’ Hudspeth (Chris Fletcher) of Clarksville, Tennessee; two brothers, Danny Hudspeth and wife Regina, and David Hudspeth and wife Pamela, all of Murray; one sister, Rosa Hudspeth of Murray; one grandson, Messiah Fletcher of Clarksville; a host of cousins, who were like brothers and sisters to him, and some special nieces and nephews who loved and adored him.
The funeral service will be at noon Saturday, April 19, 2025, in the chapel of Blalock-Coleman Funeral Home with Timothy L. Davis II officiating. Burial will follow in Murray City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until noon, Saturday, April 19, 2025, at the funeral home.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made in Lindsey’s memory to Main Street Youth Center, 513 S. 4th St., Murray, KY 42071.
Online condolences may be left at www.blalockcolemanfuneralhome.com.
Blalock-Coleman Funeral Home & Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements.
David H. ‘Dave’ Byram Jr.
David H. “Dave” Byram Jr., 86, of Murray, Kentucky, passed away Sunday, April 13, 2025, at his home.
He was born May 3, 1938, in New Jersey, to David H. Byram Sr. and Dorothy Lene (Gross) Byram.
He worked at Bell Telephone of New Jersey for 39 years, and after moving to Murray, he retired from Walmart. He was a member of Sugar Creek Baptist Church.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Allie M. (Vance) Byram, who passed away Oct. 19, 2022.
Mr. Byram is survived by one sister-in-law, Sue Vance of Murray; two nieces, Anita Crass and husband Mark of Murray and Mary Dick and husband Todd of Hardin; one nephew, Mike Vance and wife Jean of Murray; and several great-nieces and great-nephews.
A memorial graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, April 18, 2025, at Sugar Creek Baptist Church Cemetery with Phillip Bazzell officiating. There will be no public visitation.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Sugar Creek Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Ralph and Pam Duncan, 26 Gentle Drive, Almo, KY 42020.
Online condolences may be left at www.jhchurchill.com.
The J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements.
Robert ‘Jacque’ Marvin
Robert “Jacque” Marvin, 80, of Almo, Kentucky passed away Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at his home.
He was born Dec. 1, 1944, in Mansfield, Ohio, to Bobbie Jacque Marvin and Juanita Jane (Rand) Marvin.
He retired from the maintenance department at Mattel. He was a member of Woodmen of the World, Lodge #592, the American Legion Post #73, and Northside Baptist Church. He was a US Navy veteran of the Vietnam War.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one daughter, Valerie Duncan; and grandparents, Clara and Leo Rand, and Harold and Marie Marvin.
Mr. Marvin is survived by his wife, Janet Marvin of Almo, whom he married Dec. 22, 1978 in Murray; one daughter, Tracy Lynne Manning and husband Tracy of Murray; one son, Robert Duncan of Almo; two brothers, Richard Marvin of Titusville, Florida, and Larry Marvin and wife Georgia of Flower Mound, Texas; 12 grandchildren, Fulton Manning, Tyler Duncan, Garrett Duncan, Cody Johnson, Kyle Killebrew, Brittany Green, Amber Duncan, Hannah Killebrew, Madison Duncan, Jordyn Duncan, Stephanie Kenyon and Jamie Bailey; and 17 great-grandchildren, Annalee Minto, Mia Crocket, Kenslee Crocket, Camden Crocket, Silas Killebrew, Meleigha Killebrew, Cedar Duncan, Karisa Kenyon, Klark Kenyon, Nate Bailey, Sam Bailey, Caden Johnson, Cameran Johnson, Raylen Himclick, Annalee Himclick and Mallory Johnson.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Northside Baptist Church with Brett Miles officiating. Military honors will be provided by American Legion Post #73, Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m. Saturday, April 19, 2025, at the church.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Anna Mae Owen Residential Hospice House, 803 Poplar St., Murray, KY 42071.
Online condolences may be left at www.jhchurchill.com.
The J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements.
Iva Lou Swift Cochran
Iva Lou Swift Cochran, 98, of Murray, Kentucky passed away Saturday, April 12, 2025, at her daughter’s home in Huntingdon, Tennessee.
She was born Oct. 26, 1926, in Kirksey, Kentucky, to Headley Allen Swift and Emily York Swift.
She was a homemaker and a member of First United Methodist Church in Murray.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Charles K. Cochran; a son, Charles Ronald Cochran; a grandson, CR Cochran; a sister, Nova Blankenship; and a brother, Don Swift.
Mrs. Swift is survived by two daughters, Malinda Mathis and husband Dr. Dale Mathis of Huntingdon and Renee Hiles and husband Guy of Thomasville, Georgia; one son, John Cochran of Jacksonville, Florida; one brother, Alton Swift of Murray; five grandchildren, Erin Skubish of Nashville, Tennessee, Adam Mathis of McKenzie, Tennessee, Ryan Mathis of Jacksonville, Jason Mathis of North Pole, Alaska, and Jordie Papa of Jacksonville; and six great-grandchildren, Fiona Mathis, Aurora Mathis, Emma Leggett, Lyla Skubish, Daphen Mathis and Demi Mathis.
The funeral service is at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services with Dr. Dale Mathis officiating. Burial will follow in Murray City Cemetery. Visitation was from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be left at www.jhchurchill.com.
The J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements.
Colonel (Ret.) John Harvey Kelly
Colonel (Ret.) John Harvey Kelly, 82, of Lake Texoma, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully Thursday, April 10, 2025, at his home.
Born Aug. 29, 1942, in Frederick, Oklahoma, he was the son of Iris Virgil Kelly and Evonne Parker Kelly.
He was raised in Martha, Oklahoma, where he graduated from Martha High School in 1960. He went on to attend Oklahoma State University and graduated in January 1965 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics. A Distinguished Military Graduate, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Field Artillery.
John proudly served his country in the US Army, where he had a long and decorated career. He held numerous leadership and command positions throughout the world, including multiple tours in Vietnam and Germany. He also earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania and was a graduate of the US Army War College.
His military education and specialized training included the Field Artillery Basic and Advanced Courses, US Army Command and General Staff College, US Army War College, Fixed Wing Aviator Course, Rotary Wing Qualification, OV-1 Qualification and Instructor Pilot Course, TACFIRE Fire Support Course, and the Inspector General Course.
Among his many assignments, Colonel Kelly served with:
• 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery and 2nd Battalion, 36th FA at Fort Sill
• 131st and 122nd Aviation Companies in Vietnam and Germany
• 3rd Battalion, 34th Field Artillery, 25th Infantry Division at Fort Lewis, WA
• 101st Aviation Battalion, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell
• 1st Battalion, 75th Field Artillery in Bamberg, Germany
• VII Corps Artillery in Augsburg, Germany
• Combined Arms Services Staff School, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas
• FORSCOM Inspector General’s Office at Fort McPherson, Georgia, where he served as Acting Inspector General.
Colonel Kelly retired in September 1991, having earned numerous military honors and awards including:
• Legion of Merit
• Bronze Star Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters
• Air Medal with 43 devices
• Army Commendation Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters
• Parachutist Badge
• Air Assault Badge
• Senior Army Aviator Badge
John was previously married to Vicki Portman, and together they had two children, Kristi and Nik. On Sept. 10, 1978, he married Mary Ann Melugin in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. In 2004, John and Mary Ann moved to Lake Texoma, where he enjoyed his retirement surrounded by nature and family.
John was a member of the American Legion, the OV-1 Mohawk Association, and a devoted member of the Madill Church of Christ. He loved fishing, water and snow skiing, and cheering on Oklahoma State University sports.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, John “Nik” Kelly; his brother, Lee Kelly; and his father-in-law, Daddy Bob Melugin.
John is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Kelly of Lake Texoma; brothers, Gary Kelly and wife Louise of Cody, Wyoming and Don Kelly and wife Marsha of Norman, Oklahoma; children, Kristi Lenell Wade and husband David of Lake Texoma, and Elayna Meshelle Kelly-Duncan and husband Tim of Dickson, Oklahoma; grandchildren, John Thomas Wade and Misha Cullum of Justin, Texas, Kelly Lenell Wade and Timothy Gowns of Lewisville, Texas, Corbyn Nikole McDaniel and husband Casey of San Diego, California, John Nikolas Kelly Jr. of Dickson, Oklahoma, and Kolton Lane Duncan and Beatrice Valles of Broken Bow, Nebraska; great-grandchildren, John Parker Wade, Austin Wyatt Phelps and Bailey Ann Phelps; several nieces, nephews and many honorary great-grandchildren including Morgan Butler, Haley Brown and Trent Barrett, all of Justin, and Krista Hayes of Memphis, Tennessee.
The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Madill Church of Christ with Todd McRay, Francis Nelson, Richard Bonnett and Don Hasselman officiating. Song leading will be by Richard Bonnett and music will be by a cappella recording ,”A Cappella Sunset,” by The Legacy Singers. Honorary pallbearers will be David Wade, Tim Duncan, John Thomas Wade, John Nikolas Kelly Jr., John Parker Wade, Kolton Lane Duncan, Gary Lee Kelly, Weston Kelly and John Nikolas Kelly (posthumously).
Memorial contributions may be made to Pettijohn Springs Christian Camp or a charity of choice.
Online condolences may be left at wattsfuneralhome.com.
Watts Funeral Home, Madill, Oklahoma, is in charge of arrangements.
Services are under the direction of Watts Funeral Home, Madill, Oklahoma.
FUNERAL NOTICE
The J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services
Iva Lou Swift Cochran
The funeral service is at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Murray City Cemetery.