CENTERTOWN-Jean Paxton Vance 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). She 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 1 week before her passing.
In 1946 she married Charles William (Bill) Burgess. They had 4 children: Ronnie (Julia/Jacquie), Janet (Billy Joe), Linda (Phillip), and Mark (Elizabeth). Her children blessed her with grandchildren Amy, Sarah, Cody, Chris, Lora, Monica, Jordan, Meredith, Zoe, and Zane; great grandsons Chase Arnold(Maddy) and Jake Small(Kendall); 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 interest 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 Co Hospital.
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 2:00PM Saturday, April 15, 2023 at Bevil Bros. Funeral Home in Beaver Dam, KY with Bro. Mike Atkins, Reverend Theta Miller, Bro. Charlie Taylor and Bro. Scott Fleener officiating. Burial will be in Centertown Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-8PM Friday and Saturday from 9AM 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.