CENTERTOWN, Ky. — Jean Paxton Burgess Ashby — On April 7, 1928, Melvin H. Vance and Eleanor Carlisle Vance welcomed their first child into the world, Jean Paxton. Three years later she was joined by her baby brother, Bill Vance (Barb), and, four years after that, by a baby sister, Ann Todd (Jim).
Jean began her life with music, taking piano lessons from her mother. Her grandmother noticed her natural talent. Depression-era and without money, she negotiated formal lessons in trade for milk. She thrived and began playing school programs at the age of 9 and continued playing throughout her life for numerous churches, weddings, funerals, parties, as a member of the Ohio County Senior Choir, and continued to entertain her Dogwood Estates family until one week before her passing.
In 1946 she married Charles William (Bill) Burgess and they had four children, Ronnie (Julia/Jacquie), Janet (Billy Joe), Linda (Phillip), and Mark (Elizabeth). Her children blessed her with grandchildren, Amy, Sarah, Cody, Chris, Lora, Monica (Tim), Jordan, Meredith, Zoe, and Zane; great-grandsons, Chase Arnold (Maddy) and Jake Small (Kendall); great-granddaughters, Phoenix and Liz Stewart; and soon to arrive, great-great-grandson, Wesley J. Arnold.
Jean is preceded in death by Mark, Amy, Jim, Chris, and Cody. Other survivors include a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, including her devoted nephew, Neal Spoelstra (Marilyn), and her godson, Brad Duke.
In 1981, Jean lost Bill to a car crash. She was blessed with a second great love and married Clark Ashby in 2005. He left to await her in heaven in 2008. Clark added Ronnie (Darline) to the family along with their son, Ben.
Those who knew Jean were aware she had varied interests including the Oak Ridge Boys, reading, playing cards, traveling, and Kentucky Wildcats basketball. Her favorite time was family gatherings where music was always at the center of the fun. Her great genetics and love for music inspired generations of talented musicians who will continue to carry her legacy through song.
She expressed special gratitude to her Sunday morning Uber driver Duane Taylor, the AMAZING staff at Dogwood Estates, Hospice, and Ohio County Healthcare.
God gave us a beautiful soul on April 7, 1928, when he gave Jean Burgess Ashby life. He asked for her return to play His Easter services April 7, 2023, and granted her eternal life.
Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Saturday, April 15, at Bevil Bros. Funeral Home in Beaver Dam, Kentucky, with Bro. Mike Atkins, Rev. Theta Miller, Bro. Charlie Taylor, and Bro. Scott Fleener officiating. Burial will be in Centertown Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. until funeral time.
Online condolences may be sent to bevilbrosfuneralhomes.com.
Expressions of sympathy will go to the Centertown United Methodist Church Jean Burgess Ashby Music Fund care of Linda Burgess at 2199 State Route 85W Centertown KY, 42328.