“Our Family’s Hallowed Ground” published

FINALLY! It “only” took me 20 years to research and 3 years to write….but my book, “Our Family’s Hallowed Ground” is finally done and available for sale on Amazon and at Ruth Hunt Candy in Mt. Sterling. There is in-depth information about those who are interred in the Wells-Lyons Cemetery and their families.  It is indexed and the resources are fully cited. Here is the link in case you are interested in purchasing it.   https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1722983698…9beb-4819111bef9a&pf_rd_r=WP5NAPGK5D0V4VSXJJD8

Walter Lee Ratliff  1936 – 2019

Another cousin has passed away.  Walter Lee Ratliff, a generous supporter of the Wells-Lyons cemetery and loyal attendee to our reunions, died on Saturday August 3, 2019.  He loved talking about our family history and provided us with many pictures and stories about our ancestors .  If you would like to honor Walter’s memory, please consider making a donation to the Wells-Lyons Cemetery in his name.  This can be done in two ways:
use the Paypal option on the Wells-Lyons website
or
Send a check to:
Pat Wells
602 White Turley Road
Mt. Sterling, Ky 40353
Thanks to Norma Wells Gilvin for the obituary which is below:

Walter Lee Ratliff, 83, of Kiddville Road, Mt. Sterling, Kentucky passed away Saturday, August 3, 2019 at the VA Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky.  He was born in Montgomery County, Kentucky on April 12, 1936 the son of the late John Richard and Christine Spencer Ratliff. He was a veteran of the US Army and a lifetime member of the American Legion Post # 22.  In his early life he worked as an autobody mechanic and farmer and is retired U. S. Postal Service employee.

He is survived by a niece and two nephews, Barb, Marvin and Robert of Ohio; and a special friend,  Gerald (Nancy) Oney of Sharpsburg, KY.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death a brother, Wilbur Ratliff; and two sisters, Elizabeth Ratliff and Etta Mae Pace.  

Funeral services will be 10 AM, Wednesday, August 7, 2019 at the Taul Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Artie Amburgey officiating and burial following in the Machpelah Cemetery.  Military rites will be performed by American Legion Post # 22.  Friends may visit Tuesday evening from 6-8 pm.  Pallbearers will be Steve George, Sammy Manley, Alonzo Banks, C. J. Faulconer, Bob Vaughn and Gerald Oney.  

Bob Lyons

Sad news about our cousin, Bob Lyons.  Bob passed away unexpectedly yesterday at his home in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  He never missed a chance to come to Kentucky for Mt Sterling High School or Wells-Lyons Family reunions or Mt. Sterling Court Day.  He was very supportive of our family cemetery and donated often to its maintenance and preservation. He will be greatly missed. The picture of Bob with his daughter, Sally, son-in-law, Andy and granddaughters, Jackie and Amanda was taken at our 2014 Wells- Lyons reunion.

Obituary

Robert See (Bob) Lyons, 85, of Signal Mountain passed away suddenly at his home on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2018. Bob was born in Menifee Co, (near Mt Sterling), KY on May 4, 1932. He was an active member of Signal Mountain Baptist Church and a retired managing partner for Ernst & Young accounting firm where he worked for 34 years. Bob loved a great many things- a few of these being Zarzour’s Café, the band Exile, horseracing, his friends in the various local coffee shops, and the Nashville Predators. He was enjoying a Predators game the night before his death and excitedly watched them beat Ottawa 5-2.

Bob was proud of his 60 year marriage to Jonnie Sue Lyons and loved seeing his granddaughters grow up here in Chattanooga. During his 46 years in this city he was active in all things Chattanooga: He served on boards and committees with Memorial Hospital, TN Aquarium, YMCA, Girls Preparatory School, and the Chattanooga Theatre Centre. He worked for many years with the Chamber of Commerce and was a past president. His civic passions continued through his volunteer work with the United Way, Allied Arts, and Salvation Army.

He is survived by his loving wife Jonnie Sue Lyons, daughter and son-in-law Sally and Andy Michaud, and granddaughters Amanda and Jackie Michaud.

Dad had this saying on his wall for decades and it really embodies his work ethic and how he lived his life: “Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the slowest gazelle, or it will starve. It doesn’t matter whether you’re the lion or a gazelle-when the sun comes up, you’d better be running.”
And dad did.

Visitation will be at Signal Mountain Baptist Church 11:00am-1:00pm on Saturday Feb. 24. The funeral service will be held immediately after at 1:00pm at the church with a private burial following.

Instead of flowers please consider donating to one of these charities that Bob avidly supported:

Chattanooga YMCA, 301 W 6th St Chattanooga, TN 37402

Salvation Army, 822 McCallie Ave Chattanooga, TN 37403

Signal Mtn Baptist Church, 939 Ridgeway Ave, Signal Mtn, TN 37377

Paul Wells Cemetery Trust, 602 White Turkey Road, Mt. Sterling, Kentucky 40353 (added after newspaper publication)