Kathleen Marnhout Foley

Kathleen Marnhout Foley, age 98 years, of Whitley City, Kentucky died Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at the Baptist Health Corbin, Kentucky.

She was born in Scott County, Tennessee on December 27, 1926 the daughter of the late Franklin and Cora (Wilson) Crabtree.

Kathleen was a graduate of the McCreary County High School and Good Samaritan Nursing where she began working in the hospital, she then became a Head Nurse, Supervisor Director of Nurses, then 7 years of public health as the County Administrator. She then returned to Hospital setting where she became Personnel Director, Administrator Assistant, and eventually the Hospital Administrator, many of her summers were spent in Continuing Education. She then tested out to become a Nursing Home Administrator, she then received certification from the University of Alabama. Finally, after her late sister, Maxine Jones became a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer, along with Maxine’s husband, Happy who had worked for Hickman Funeral Home for many years, and Kathleen and her husband, Bill formed a corporation that became known as the McCreary County Funeral Home. With no money, hope, and prayer was able to obtain a loan through SBA and received a loan for 80% with a 20% down payment. Drex Campbell signed a note for them to borrow $20,000, and CC Shepherd, President of Bank of McCreary County went to Louisville, Kentucky with a member of the Corporation to help secure the final phases of the loan. A strong Faith in God, support of family, and many people in McCreary County the response was an immediate success.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her first husband, Bill Marnhout, and second husband, Vernon Foley; brother, Leroy Crabtree; and sisters, Maxine Jones-Waters and Betty Morrow.

Survivors include her three sons, Gary Marnhout and wife, Debbie of Owensboro, Kentucky, Mike Marnhout and wife, Inna of Louisville, Kentucky, and Randy Marnhout of Whitley City, Kentucky; stepson, Kenny Foley and wife, Sharon of Russell Springs, Kentucky; step daughter, Judy James of Russell Springs, Kentucky; brother, Jim Paul Crabtree and wife, Judy of Muncie, Indiana; sisters, Joan Smith and husband, Bill of Knoxville, Tennessee; 7 grandchildren, 4 step grandchildren, and numerous great and great-great grandchildren.

Kathleen has lived with the belief that Jesus, Love, and Faith were the greatest words in the English language. At age 90, she asked God, “Please direct me in what I can do now”, his answer, “You can always speak My Name to people you continue to meet along the way.” She made this her mission the rest of her life.

In keeping with her wish’s cremation was chosen, with a memorial service to be held at a later date.

McCreary County Funeral Home entrusted with the arrangements.