COAL GROVE — Roy Franklin Darby, 82, of Coal Grove, died Friday, Feb.20, 2009, at Community Hospice Care Center in Ashland, Ky.
The Boyd County native was born Dec. 14, 1926, the son of the late Henry Darby and Virgie Starkey Darby. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Alberta Faye Stapleton Darby, whom he married Dec. 24, 1947.
He attended Putnam Schools and was a World War II Navy veteran. He was a former employee of North American Refractories from which he retired in 1989 after 17 years of service. He was a member on VFW Post 2761 in Willow Wood, and a member on Brick Mason Local 21 -OH, Local 7 KY. He was an honorary member at Sharon Baptist Church.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by three sisters, Sarah Mildred Clark, Wanda Faye Tisdale, and Louise Spears and two brothers, William Hugh Darby and James H. Darby.
He is survived by five sons, Roy Edward Darby of Ashland, Ky., James Ray Darby of Paintsville, Ky., Ronald David Darby of Hanging Rock, Richard Dean Darby of Ironton, and Michael Lee Darby of Fernadina Beach, Fla.; three daughters, Joyce Faye Butler of Ironton, Connie Sue Messer of Ashland, Ky., and Christina Kay Callihan of Olive Hill, Ky.; a sister, Gloria E. “Toots” Litteral of Ashland, Ky.; 26 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at Phillips Funeral Home with the Rev. Steve Harvey officiating. Burial will follow in Highland Memorial Gardens. Military graveside rites will be performed by VFW Post 8850. Friends may call 6 – 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Donations may be made in Roy’s name to Community Hospice, 1538 Central Ave. Ashland, KY 41101. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.