Nell Young Wise

Nell Louise Young Wise, 89, of East Second Street died Saturday, June 25, 2011 at her residence. She was the widow of Howard L. Wise who died in 1968. Mrs. Wise was a member of the Seddon United Methodist Church for the past 70 years, where she taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, was a choir member, served as Leader of Methodist Youth Fellowship, Member of the Rebecca Circle and the United Methodist Women’s Guild. She served many years at The Walk of Emmaus Christian Retreat where she was known as the “Gravy Lady”. Mrs. Wise had a flair for writing poetry and would share her homemade vegetable soup with the sick or one in need. Though she did not attend college, she excelled scholastically in both math and English literature, including her to be a Spelling Bee Champion. She was awarded a medal for the “Good Citizenship Award” by the Kentucky State Govenor and in 1973 became the first female cook hired by the Crounse Corporation and served on the M.V. Jean Akin until her retirement thirteen years later. Though she was small in stature, she was big in heart. To quote Shakespeare, “ Though she be small, she be fierce”. Mrs. Wise was born in Maysville on October 4, 1921 the daughter of the late Ancel M. and Mary Opal Grigsby Young. She is survived by her four children, David Muse Wise, Cathie Wise Downs, Laurie Wise Ginn, all of Maysville and Susan Jane Wise of Lexington; four grandchildren, Carrie Wise Downs, J. David Downs, Noah Robert Ginn and Joshua Howard Ginn and also four great grandchildren, Myla Sydnee Downs-Perry, A. P. Downs-Perry, Adrienne Nell Downs-Perry and Tyler Dekota Shortridge. She was preceded in death by her brother, Harry Young and her sister, Madeline Ainsworth. Funeral services for Nell Wise will be held at the Knox and Brothers Funeral Home at 1:00 PM, Tuesday, June 28, 2011 with Rev. Mason Harrod officiating. Burial will be in the Maysville Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Davey Downs, Noah Ginn, Josh Ginn, Michael Bramel, Gearld Toller and Tim Teegarden. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday 11:00 AM until the hour of the service. Memorials may be made the Hospice of Hope, 909 Kenton Station Drive, Maysville, KY 41056. Arrangements under the direction of Knox & Brothers Funeral Home, Maysville, KY.