Sara "Sally" Houser, 80, of Ashland, Ky., died Sunday, May 9, 2010, at her residence.
She was born April 4, 1930, in Ashland, a daughter of the late James Matthew and Evra Justice Forsythe.
She was also preceded in death by her husband, Max V. Houser, in 2003; and grandchildren Tyler Ragsdale and Elizabeth McKee Ragsdale.
She was owner/operator of the Chimney Corner Restaurant. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Ashland, a volunteer at Kings Daughters & Sons Home for the Aged and a member of the 3 Arts Club, DAR and numerous other civic and professional organizations. She attended Cardon Academy in Georgetown, Ky., was a 1948 graduate of Ashland High School and a graduate of Ward-Belmont College in Nashville, Tenn.
Surviving are sons Forrest Ragsdale and his wife, Elizabeth, of Louisville, Ky., James Ragsdale and his fianceé, Elizabeth Hamilton, of Lexington, Ky., and the Rev. Philip Houser and his wife, Jillene, of Omaha, Neb.; daughters Katherine Berner and her husband, Joseph, of Ashland and Mary Claire Thomas and her husband, David, of Orlando, Fla.; a sister, Georgia Kay Forsythe of Raceland, Ky.; grandchildren Emily Ragsdale McLaren and husband Matthew, Hallie Ragsdale, Margaret Ragsdale, Joanna Berner, Matthew Berner and wife Scotti, Karl Houser, Christopher Houser, Claire Elaine Houser, David Maxwell Thomas, Christopher Blair Thomas and Alice Ragsdale; and great-grandchildren Forrest James McLaren, Charli Berner and Cameron Berner.
The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 13, 2010, at First United Methodist Church in Ashland by the Rev. Blanchard Amstutz and the Rev. Philip Houser. Burial will be in Ashland Cemetery.
Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Steen Funeral Home-Central Avenue Chapel in Ashland.
Contributions may be sent to First United Methodist Church, 1811 Carter Ave., Ashland, KY 41101 or Blanchard & Verna Amstutz Ministries Inc., 3442 Blackburn Ave., Ashland, KY 41101.
Condolences may be sent to www.steenfuneralhomes.com.
