MERLENE "MYRTLE" NEW

Merlene "Myrtle" (Coffey ) New, age 79, of Stearns, Kentucky, passed away Saturday, January 4, 2014, at the McCreary Health and Rehab Center in Pine Knot, Kentucky.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Pine Knot Funeral Home with Rev. Harvey Logan officiating. Burial will be at the Hickman Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday evening from 6 a€" 9 p.m. at the funeral home.

Born on March 31, 1934 at Wolf Creek in McCreary County, she was the daughter of the late Johnny and Rebecca Coffey. Besides her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband Lewis New whom she married in Stearns on September 3, 1953, a sister, Ester Coffey, a brother Frank Coffey and an infant brother, Estel Coffey.

Surviving family include her children; David (and Jenny) New of Somerset, Kentucky, Donna (and Jackie) Stephens of Pine Knot, and Geoff New (and Gene Odom) of Prosper, Texas. Her sister is Dessel (and Ernest) Foster of Stearns, and her grandchildren are Becki Egnew, John New, Rick Langford, Jeff Langford, Coby Stephens, and Keisha Sexton. She was blessed with 11 great grandchildren and multiple pets and grandpets.

Myrtle was a member of the Wolf Creek Baptist Church. Myrtle and Lewis had owned and operated the L & M Drive In for 22 years where it was said that you could get the best hamburger in McCreary County. They also owned Shady Pine Trailer Park and Star Ice Company. She enjoyed yard work, cooking and caring for her family and cheering for the UK Wildcats. She certainly enjoyed living life to the fullest.

Pine Knot Funeral Home is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.