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.