Morris & Hislope Funeral Home

Morris & Hislope Funeral Home Since 1958 our staff has been dedicated to serving our families with the attention, compassion and r E.C. Ward, and Mrs. Ransom (Ellor) Vaught. Norman E. Mr.

Our Story:

The Ward-Farris Funeral Home of Science Hill, Kentucky was founded by Mr. They were casket manufacturers in the early 1940's. They made wooden caskets which was covered with an exterior cloth and a loose lining. Business improved to the point that Mr. Ward was being requested to deliver the caskets that he made and conduct the complete funeral. To meet this need, he employed Mr. Farris as an embalmer and funeral director. Farris previously worked for a funeral home in Waynesburg, KY. In November of 1957, Mr. Ward sold his interest in the Ward-Farris Funeral Home and retired from the business. Farris brought in two new partners into the business, J.B. Morris and Denver Hislope, each owning one third of the business. The newly built funeral home, known as Farris-Morris-Hislope was opened for business in November of 1958. The new building was located on Hwy U.S. 27 just north of the Hwy 635 intersection and was opened the day the highway officially opened to traffic. An open house was held for the citizens of Pulaski County and adjoining counties. Prior to the opening, the majority of funerals consisted of visitations at their homes and funerals conducted at the church. This situation quickly reversed itself with the new business. The funeral home is still in the same location as of today. Three renovations have been done on the property and a new four lane highway is under construction. During the first few years that they were in business, Mr. Farris was the Manager and each partner was a licensed Kentucky Funeral Director and Embalmer. In addition to the funeral home, they operated an ambulance service prior to the emergency service of 911. Norman Farris was the county coroner and a State Senator. In 1972, Mr. Farris sold his interest in the firm to his two partners and moved to Florida where he remained in the funeral profession. Upon retirement, he moved back to Lexington, KY where he died at the age of 82 on Sept. 4, 2003. Interment was in the Lexington Cemetery following his services at Morris & Hislope Funeral Home. In 1972, the name of the funeral home change to Morris & Hislope Funeral Home. In addition to operating the funeral home, the partners sold monuments and burial insurance to fund funeral expenses. They also owned House Funeral Home in London, KY and the Somerset Chapel on Oak Hill Rd., Somerset. They sold these businesses in 1978 to devote their full attention to operating the original firm in Science Hill. In 1992, Morris & Hislope took on other owners, along with James R. Dick and Quintin McGinnis, who now manage the funeral home. In 1993, almost a year after semi-retiring, James Brent "J.B." Morris, died on Feb. 27, 1993. A month later, Denver Hislope suffered a mini stroke, he retired there after. In 1995, The Kentucky Funeral Directors Association Convention presented the Fifty Year Golden Service Award to the funeral home. Our deepest appreciation goes to all those who have made this possible. On June 18, 2012, Denver Hislope died, the last of the three founders of this funeral home. We will continue to provide a superior service to the community and surrounding counties.

Vernon Smith GodbyVernon Smith Godby, age 86, of Somerset, Kentucky, passed away on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at Hospice...
03/13/2026

Vernon Smith Godby

Vernon Smith Godby, age 86, of Somerset, Kentucky, passed away on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at Hospice of Lake Cumberland Jean Waddle Care Center.

Vernon was born on May 6, 1939 in Beech Grove, Kentucky to the late Lewis Godby and Dorothy Acton Godby. He attended Pleasant Hill Baptist Church where he was a member for a number of years. He worked in construction work as a member of the Laborer's Union for over 50 years and enjoyed fishing. Most of all, he enjoyed being with his family.

He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Brenda Wesley Godby; one son, Gary Wayne & (Pamela) Godby; three grandchildren, Jaime Godby & (Robbie) Ridner, Joshua & (Alisha) Godby, and Bethany Godby & (JD) Heck; nine great grandchildren, Makayla & (Aiden), Daniel, and Samantha Ridner, Julius, Lilly, Olivia, and Damian Godby, Elias and Eleanor Heck; one great-great granddaughter, Willow Childers; one brother, Howard Godby; one sister, Dorothy Mae Godby & (Leon) Wilson; one sister-in-law, Helen Godby; several nieces and nephews, and a host of other family members who mourn his passing.

In addition to his parents, Lewis and Dorothy Godby, Vernon was preceded in death by one son, Randy Godby; one granddaughter, Sarah Godby; one brother, Herbert Ed Godby; and one sister-in-law, Mary Godby.

A funeral service will be held Monday, March 16, 2026 at 1:00 PM in the chapel of Morris & Hislope Funeral Home with Bro. Ed Amundson officiating.

Burial will follow at Beech Grove Cemetery.

The family will receive friends on Monday from 11:00 AM until time for services at Morris & Hislope Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to Hospice of Lake Cumberland.

Morris & Hislope Funeral Home is honored to assist the family with arrangements.

View Vernon Smith Godby's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

03/13/2026
Please contact us with any questions you have about preplanning.
03/12/2026

Please contact us with any questions you have about preplanning.

We'd like to recognize the dedication and service of our licensed funeral director staff as well as all of our full-time...
03/11/2026

We'd like to recognize the dedication and service of our licensed funeral director staff as well as all of our full-time and part-time staff who help serve our community every day.

Garry Talmadge ComptonGarry Talmadge Compton, 78, of Somerset, Kentucky went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Sund...
03/10/2026

Garry Talmadge Compton

Garry Talmadge Compton, 78, of Somerset, Kentucky went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, March 8, 2026 at the University of Kentucky Medical Center.

Garry was born on May 17, 1947 to the late Hulin & Ida (Moore) Compton in Stanford, Kentucky. Garry was a hardworking man and truly a jack of all trades. He enjoyed staying busy and took great pride in working around the house. He especially cherished the time he spent with his wife, Beverly. Garry was also a faithful member of Beacon Hill Baptist Church for 50 years.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Beverly (Critchfield) Compton, whom he married on December 20, 1980; a brother, Larry Compton; his nieces, Lisa Miller and Larissa & (Dude) Tucker; a great-nephew, Evan Miller; a great-niece, Lauren & (Cody) Cooper; and a host of special friends, especially Barry & Susan Whitis.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister-n-law, Reeda Compton; and a nephew-n-law, Jim Miller.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, March 12, 2026 at Morris & Hislope Funeral Home with Bro. Sam Crawford and Bro. GJ Farmer officiating.

Burial will be at Lakeside Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until time for services.

Morris & Hislope Funeral Home is honored to assist the family with arrangements.

View Garry Talmadge Compton's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

Marlene Yvonne McKinneyMarlene Yvonne McKinney, 72, of Eubank, Kentucky passed away on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Lake C...
03/09/2026

Marlene Yvonne McKinney

Marlene Yvonne McKinney, 72, of Eubank, Kentucky passed away on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital.

She was born on May 31, 1953 to the late Walter Lee & Beatrice Ebbie (Dagnan) Hess in Wallins Creek, Kentucky.

Marlene was a devoted kind, loving, nurturing wife, mother, grandmother & great-grandmother, she loved them great grand babies with a passion. She was saved at the age of 12 & baptized at Pulaski Baptist Church in the authority of Glenwood Baptist Church. She was a faithful member of the West Science Hill Baptist Church where she held the positions of treasurer & piano player, she also played the guitar & sang at most every service she was able to. She was a strong Christian woman & had faith that would move mountains. She was always praising the Lord & lifting up the name of Jesus. She enjoyed sewing, crafting, decorating, cooking & cleaning but most of all she loved spending time with her family, friends & loved ones. She would light up a room just by entering it with a joyous smile & a happy hello. She was always nice & friendly to anyone she came in contact with. She will be surely be missed, remembered, and deeply loved.

She is survived by her husband, Denver McKinney; a son, Marty Ray McKinney & (Tammy Maybrier); a daughter, Myla & (Craig) Sweet; a brother, Mark & (Valerie) Hess; a sister, Melissa & (Glenn) Smith; seven grandchildren, Whitney Haste, Chelsea Sweet, Cailee Sweet, Cassidy Sweet, Caleb McKinney, and Robert McKinney; four great-grandchildren, Braxton Haste, Silas Wilson, Liam Enos, and Kolter Wilson; a sister-n-law, Wanda Hess; and a host of nieces, nephews, friends and family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Mikey Hess; and a sister, Marina Webster.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, March 12, 2026 at Morris & Hislope Funeral Home with Bro. Ronald Wesley and Bro. Norman Harper officiating.

Burial will be at West Science Hill Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at Morris & Hislope Funeral Home.

Morris & Hislope Funeral Home is honored to assist the family with arrangements.

View Marlene Yvonne McKinney's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

Address

5900 N Highway 27
Science Hill, KY
42553

Telephone

+16064233131

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