Obituaries

Mary Margaret (Rowley) Hembree, age 87 of Elsmere, KY passed away on January 21, 2026. Mary was born Jun 24, 1938 in Ripley, WV to the late Lester Rowley and Elaine (Raines) Rowley.

She retired after many years of dedicated service as a manager at IRS in Covington, KY. She loved reading, quilting, and having large holiday gatherings where she would cook for her ever expanding family of 3 children, 4 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband and father of her children, Samuel Richard Hembree, and her brothers, Homer David (Rusty) Rowley, Ben Rowley, and her sisters, Faye Skeen, Glenna Witschy, and Martha (Mickey) Martin.

She is survived by her brother, John Rowley, and her children, Rhonda Carpenter (Jerry), Samuel Paul Hembree (Bonnie) and Mildred (Millie) McLemore (Jeffrey “Mac”). Mary enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, Kristina Lindon, Paul Joseph (PJ) Hembree, Chad Hembree, and Justin Hembree. Mary had 9 great-grandchildren and she described her great-grandson, Carter Reed Hembree, as the light of her life.

Mary donated her body to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center to help teach future doctors. In lieu of a memorial service, a birthday celebration on June 24, 2026 at Stith Funeral Home will be held with details to be shared later.