Raymond Ison

Raymond Ison age 91 of Elliott County, Kentucky left this world for a better one Saturday April 01, 2023 at his residence. He was preceded in death by his wife Lorraine Barker Ison, his parents Arvil and Audrey Lewis Ison. Two brothers; Ishmael Ison and Phillip Ison, three sisters; Janice Blevins, Sharon Brickey and Ruby Whitt. A special friend Diane Handshoe. One great granddaughter; Allie Sue McDowell and son in-law; Gary Sparks. Raymond is survived by three daughters; Kathy and husband Ronnie Stephens, Karen Sue Sparks all of Sandy Hook, Kentucky, Sandra and husband Bill Griffith of Grove City, Ohio. Six grandchildren; Tammi Kelly of Sandy Hook, Kentucky, Christiana and husband Danny Skaggs of Elliott County, Kentucky, Dustin and wife Kristy Kelly of Elliott County, Kentucky, Heather Stafford of Isonville, Kentucky, Derek Griffith of Columbus, Ohio. and Kelsey Griffith of Grove City, Ohio. Eight great grandchildren; Jonna and husband Ronnie Oney, Noel and husband Jake Vansickle, Andy Skaggs, Savannah and Emie Wilson, Kaydance Griffith, and Harmony Stribling and two fifth generation grandsons; Colt Oney, and Noah Vansickle. One brother and his wife; Lester Ison and Pricie of Xenia, Ohio. A special first cousin; Delbert Gillum who visited frequently, and also brother in-law; James Whitt who often stopped by to check on him. During his 91 years Raymond watched the world change before his eyes, as a teenager he drove a team of mules with a sled delivering groceries to various country stores when the roads were to bad to reach them. As a young man he worked with road crews that laid the first blacktop on Rt 32 from Garr Fergusons store in Lawrence County to Sandy Hook. He also helped build the Wallowhole Enterprise Baptist Church and present at the first service there in 1948. He worked various jobs to support his family tobacco farming,logging with mules, tractor and a dozer, he also drove a school bus for several years and laid pipe for Capital Tunneling. Raymond still had a couple mowing and weed eating jobs well into his late 80's. He loved to fox hunt and had the handle of "Fox Hunter" when CB radios were popular. Brother in-law James Whitt had quite recently brought him what he called a foxhunters meal, a can of Vienna's, crackers, and a little Debbie cake. After retirement he owned a couple of businesses a fill in station, and small engine repair, then later he ran a country thrift store which the local folks fondly named the Mazie Mall. Raymond could vividly recall incidents and people from the past his family listened with attention to his stories. He told of getting lost in the woods, sorghum making, murders and many tales from by gone years. He always had a love for music and usually kept a guitar in the house, he'd laugh and say he told his girls not to touch the guitar and that was the reason all 3 learned to play. In his later years he joined up with a group and played bluegrass at various functions and nursing homes. He always looked forward to the weekly practice sessions with his buddies. Raymond was blessed with many years and a full life, his family and friends have many memories to treasure, but the most important treasure he left was the hope he had in Jesus and the promise of eternal life. Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 05, 2023 at Whitt & Sons Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Michael Bruce Lewis officiating. Burial will follow at the Ison Creek Cemetery on Ison Creek. Friends may visit after 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 04, 2023 and after 10:00 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Serving as pallbearers; Dustin Kelly, Bill Griffith, Derek Griffith, Andy Skaggs, Russell Whitt, and Ronnie Oney. Serving as honorary pallbearers; Ronnie Stephens, Danny Skaggs, James Whitt, Delbert Gillum, Brian Gillum.

Raymond Ison

September 5, 1931 - April 1, 2023