In Memoriam

Marion Custer Blair September 9, 1930 - January 15, 2020.

Born in Carlisle, Kentucky the only child of the late Marion Custer Blair, Sr. and Bernice Darnall Blair, Custer was a 1948 graduate of Carlisle High School and a member of the Kentucky National Guard. Following the untimely death of his father in 1949, he took over the family business, M.C. Blair Insurance Agency. For nearly 70 years, his agency has been providing personal and commercial coverage to the people of Nicholas County and surrounding areas. In addition, he has represented Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance since 1950, and later became a partner in the Millersburg Insurance Agency. He was a member of the Independent Insurance Agents of Kentucky, dedicating much of his life to his business, and enjoyed both his agency and his client relationships until his death.

A faithful member of the Carlisle Presbyterian Church, it served as a source of great joy throughout his life. Music was a beloved passion and he sang in the church choir every Sunday. Deeply involved in all facets of the church, he was an elder and held the office of treasurer for over 60 years.

Custer served on the Board of Directors for the Deposit Bank of Carlisle and the Paris Stockyards, was a past President of the Carlisle Rotary Club, a life member of the University of Kentucky Alumni Association and a University of Kentucky Henry Stites Barker Fellow.

He was predeceased by his wife, Caroline Proctor Wood Blair. Custer & Caroline Proc shared many interests and passions, especially traveling with their family to University of Kentucky sporting events and spending precious time with their grandchildren.

He lived the last two years of his life at The Willows at Hamburg in Lexington. He stayed very active until his death, enjoying their parties, field trips and activities. The family wishes to express deep gratitude to the Willows staff for their exceptional care and friendship.

He is survived by his two children, Proctor Wood Blair (Sara Jim) and Beth Blair Mercer (Brian), both of Lexington; five grandchildren, Amanda Blair Milward (Jeff), Stacy Blair Forrester (Rob), Blair McIntyre Mercer, Proctor Wood Mercer and Benjamin King Mercer; and three great-grandchildren, Mary Carter Milward, Harrison Proctor Milward and Callihan Williams Forrester.

A Memorial Service was held on, January 18, 2020 at the Carlisle Presbyterian Church.

Charitable donations may be made in Custer’s memory to the following organization: Carlisle Presbyterian Church P.O. Box 111, Carlisle, Kentucky 40311

20 | Kentucky IA - Winter 2020 Joseph Brooks “Joe” McClain May 25, 1928 - January 12, 2020

Joseph Brooks (Joe) McClain passed away on Sunday, January 12, at the age of 91. A native Kentuckian, he was the son of Eulis Wilson McClain and Frances Brooks McClain.

He is survived by his two sons, Ted (Ann Davis) McClain and Jody (Melinda) McClain, both of Paris; his daughter Jennifer McClain of Sacramento, CA; and his two grandchildren, Brooks McClain, and Courtney McClain.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Virginia (Jinni) Haag McClain; his daughter, Kathleen McClain; and his sister, Paula Reilly.

Joe was born on May 25, 1928, in Paducah, and grew up in Mayfield. He attended the University of Kentucky, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in commerce and was a United States Army veteran. It was at UK that he met Jinni, the woman who would be his cherished lifelong companion. The two were married in 1950. They moved to Paris soon after where Joe opened an insurance agency in late 1955, and Paris would be their home for life.

Joe dedicated himself to his profession, and his business (the Hopewell Company) thrived. In 1965 he was named Insurer of the Year by the Independent Insurance Agents of Kentucky (IIAK). He was elected president of the IIAK in 1969 and served as its state-national director in 1970. He loved his work and remained actively engaged in the agency he had founded until 2017.

Joe was a life member of the UK Alumni Association and a UK Fellow. He served on the board of directors for Kentucky Bank and participated in civic affairs, as president of the Paris Kiwanis Club and as a member of the Paris Rotary Club.

Joe’s connections to his Mayfield roots remained strong throughout his life. Although he was a blue-blooded Kentucky Wildcats fan, nothing ranked higher on his list of desirable sporting outcomes than a good trouncing of Paducah Tilghman by Mayfield High.

Those he leaves behind will remember him in different ways; as a man of integrity, a trusted friend, a great storyteller, a terrific uncle, an awesome grandpa, and a stellar dad. All will remember him with love.

Visitation was held at the Hinton-Turner Funeral Home in Paris on January 15, with a private graveside service immediately following at Paris Cemetery.