Mrs. Martha Roark

Mrs. Martha Roark, age 85 of Garrard, passed away Saturday, January 14th, 2012 at the Manchester Memorial Hospital. She was born March 27th, 1926 in Bell County, Kentucky to Rufus and Phronia Helton Simpson.

She is survived by her children: Mae Lawson of Garrard, Phronia Keller of Corbin, Rufus Roark of Garrard, Gladys Williams of Fogertown, and Elizabeth Smallwood of Goose Rock. 16 grandchildren, 39 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren also survive as well as these brothers and sisters: Mellie Winge of Illinois, Hester Settle of Illinois, Sarah Burton of Arkansas, Cora Adkins of Ohio, Bertha Jackson of Goose Rock, Howard Simpson of Ohio, Rufus Jr. Simpson of Paris, Kentucky, Gardner Simpson of London, Kentucky and Payton Simpson of McKee, Kentucky. Also surviving are 6 half-brother and half-sisters, and two caretakers: Alma Morrow and Sherry Mills.

She is preceded in death by her parents: Rufus and Phronia Simpson, her husband: Martin Jack Roark, her daughter: Goldie Smith, her sisters: Thelma Frazier and Gwendolyn Knuckles, and her brothers: Raleigh Simpson and P. M. Simpson.

Funeral Services for Mrs. Martha Roark will be on Thursday, January 19th, 2012 at 3 PM at the Mud Lick Church of the Brethren. Rev. Sill Lee, Rev. Earnest Smith, and Rev. Charles Eversole will be officiating. Burial will follow in the Smith Cemetery in the Asher’s Fork Community.

Visitation will be Tuesday, January 17th, after 6 PM and on Wednesday, at the Mud Lick Church of the Brethren.

Rominger Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.