Frances Merlina Kabage (1931-2005)
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Posted: 03/29/05 - 12:14:50 am EST
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Frances Merlina Kabage, 73, of Ashland, Ky., went to be with the Lord on Monday, March 28, 2005, in Oakmont Manor Nursing Home, surrounded by her loving daughter and devoted friends.
She waged a valiant battle against Alzheimer's disease. Her strength, fortitude and determination to live and maintain her independence as long as possible in spite of this devastating illness was courageous to all those close to her.
Born in Nancy, Ky., (Somerset), on July 4, 1931, to the late Carl and Alma Vaughn Dick, her childhood and youth were spent with her nine brothers and sisters in rural Pulaski County on their tobacco farm. She married her one and only true love, Paul Gaston Kabage, of Covington, Ky., on Easter Sunday, 1950.
Mr. Kabage was with the U.S. Army Recruiting Services and a transfer in 1960 brought the family to Ashland where they remained and considered their home for 45 years. Mr. Kabage preceded his wife in death on Dec. 9, 1974.
Frances is a member of Chesterview Baptist Church in Nancy, although she attended the First Christian Church Disciples of Christ here in Ashland. She was a graduate of Nancy High School (Pulaski County), where she was a cheerleader, and of the American Business College. During her lifetime, she was employed by Palm Beach Clothing in Somerset, The Hartford Insurance Agency in Cincinnati and Ashland Oil Inc. In her later years, she also worked for FIVCO-Catlettsburg, the Highland Museum at the Mayo Manor location and the Boyd County Public Library-Ashland Branch.
Frances was a staunch believer in education being the key to opening doors, and changing lives as it had done in her own. She was an active parent volunteer at the then "new" Crabbe Elementary through the PTA and athletic boosters. She was instrumental in the establishment, organization and initial supervision of the first years of the Crabbe library under the direction of Mrs. Della Barrett, principal. She was also past president of the Coles Junior High Band Parents Organization and a Tomcat Band Booster.
She was an accomplished bowler and was the recipient of numerous awards including a State championship of which she was most proud. She was a member of various bowling leagues at Blue Ribbon Lanes, Beta Sigma Phi sorority, the A.O.I. Arcoettes, VFW Ladies Auxiliary, The MAC Travel Club, and a Ladies Auxiliary volunteer at KDMC.
In addition to being a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and sister, she found true joy and happiness in watching her only grandchild, Jill Grizzle Shannon, dance and cheer at Poage, Verity and Paul G. Blazer High School.
She is survived by one daughter, Linda Kabage Grizzle of Ashland; one granddaughter, Jillienne Grizzle (Jay) Shannon of Orlando, Fla.; two brothers, Robert Dick of Maineville, Ohio, and Herman Dick of Somerset, Ky.; and over 20 nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; mother and father-in-law; two sisters, Verdina Rainwater of Kettering, Ohio, and Faustine Rogers of Cincinnati; five brothers, Wilbur, Lowell, Harold, Verthel, and Velber Dick, all of Somerset; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation to honor the life of Frances Kabage will be at Steen Funeral Home-Central Avenue Chapel in Ashland tonight, March 29, 2005, from 5 to 8 p.m.
A graveside family service will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Highland Cemetery in Fort Mitchell, Ky., officiated by Mike Sweeney.
Friends may make contributions to Community Hospice, 1538 Central Ave., Ashland, Ky.
Condolences may be sent to steenfuneralhomes.com.
