Imogene Belcher

On April 20, 2019, Imogene Meredith Belcher took her last breath on Earth and caught her first glimpse of heaven at her home in Florida surrounded by love. Our loving and devoted mother, grandmother, educator and friend was born in Grayson County, KY in December 1934. She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Buell and Nina Haycraft Meredith and her husband, Thomas Belcher. Her love of life lives on through her two children, daughter, Deanna Ashby and son, Ken Childress, her six grandchildren and ten great grandchildren who affectionately knew her as Momma Jean. She was the sister to Maxine Edwards and Larry Meredith. She had five nieces and nephews. After graduation from Western Kentucky University, she began her teaching career at Cherry Springs, a one room schoolhouse, from 1954-1969. She taught at Clarkson Elementary before moving to Henderson County to become the first female principal in the state of Kentucky at Robards Elementary. Later she rose to Assistant Superintendent of Henderson County Schools. She then worked at the Grayson County Board of Education for children with special needs and wrote grants for various school systems throughout the state. She was a member of Pleasant Valley Missionary Baptist Church and Leitchfield Woman's Club, past president of the Wax Fire Department, Board of Directors of Lincoln Trail and a Kentucky Colonel. Imogene was a Shepard and a safe place for so many children throughout this community and the state of Kentucky. She fought for justice for those who could not advocate for themselves. She modeled integrity, honesty and a level of excellence that consistently exceeded expectation. Every decision, action and encounter stemmed from her love of life, her family and community. Ms. Belcher enjoyed singing, writing music, gardening, canning, refinishing and collecting antiques, politics and traveling. She was a strong, determined and fiercely independent woman with the heart of a warrior. What a beautiful purpose-filled life written by our Creator. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, 2019 at the Pleasant Valley Missionary Baptist Church in Millerstown with Bro. Charles Bell officiating. Burial will follow in the Pleasant Valley Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 2:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Friday, April 26, 2019 and from 10:00a.m. - noon on Saturday, April 27, 2019 at the Watson and Hunt Funeral Home in Leitchfield. Watson and Hunt Funeral Home is both honored and privileged to be entrusted with the care of Ms. Belcher. Share your messages of condolence with the family of Imogene Belcher at www.watsonhuntfuneral.com.