Elihu Motley, 90, Bardstown

Elihu Motley, 90, of Bardstown, affectionately known as “Pops,” died Tuesday, April 17, 2012, at Flaget Memorial Hospital in Bardstown. He was born Sept. 12, 1921, in Salisbury, Rowan County, N.C., and grew up in Rock Hill, S.C.

ELIHU MOTLEY

He professed a belief in God at an early age and joined Emanuel Lutheran Church. He attended Emanuel Lutheran Elementary, Middle, and graduated from Emanuel Lutheran High School in Greensboro, N.C. He also attended Emanuel Lutheran College for one year majoring in Latin and French. On Sept. 23, 1942, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served until Sept. 25, 1945. On Sept. 26, 1945 he enlisted in the regular Army and served until his retirement. He retired with the rank of Sergeant First Class. He was wounded in 1944 while serving in Italy, and in 1950 during the Korean Conflict.

During his more than 23 active years of Federal service he received the following awards: Bronze Star (Rome-Arne Campaign); two Purple Hearts; Good Conduct Medal with Silver Clasp; American Campaign Medal; European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal; Army Occupation Medal (Japan); National Defense Service Medal; Korean Service Medal; and the United Nations Service Medal.

In addition to his decorations, medals, badges, commendations, citations, and campaign ribbons, he was an recognized for being an expert with the .45 caliber pistol, the 30-caliber machine gun, the Carbine Bar, and received a First Class Gunner (90 mm Gun) Letter of Appreciation. His military career reflects long and faithful service to the United States. After he retired from the military he worked at Fort Knox as a civil engineer and retired after 22 years with a WG 7 rank.

He was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church where he served as a trustee and a member of Abraham Lincoln Post No. 167, where he served as post finance officer for a number of years. He was Honorary Past Grand Master and Right Worshipful Grand Tiler Emeritus; Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of KY, Inc.; Past Master, Euclid Lodge No. 13; Free and Accepted Masons, Bardstown; a member of Louisville Consistory No. 41 A. A. S. R. of Free Masonry, Southern Jurisdiction, PHA, Louisville; Honorary 33rd. degree, United Supreme Council Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Free Masonry, Southern Jurisdiction, United States of America; a member of Damascus Temple No. 58, Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine, Louisville.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Evelyn Hewitt Motley; his second wife, Mary Jane Reed Motley; one son, Michael Motley; a grandson, Ernest Elihu Jenkins; his mother, Minnie Foil Motley; his father, Alexander Hinton, Sr.; four brothers, Alexander Hinton Jr., Joe Louis Hinton, Henry Armstrong Hinton, Leroy Hinton Bey; and two sisters, Bettye Jean Hinton Jackson, and Patricia Hinton.

Survivors include four sons, David “Beefy” Jenkins, Rydale (Mary) Jenkins, Ernie Jenkins, Donald Ray (Noreen) Jenkins, all of Bardstown; two daughters, Evelyn Martin and her husband Aubrey of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Patricia Pulliam of Bardstown; five sisters, Susie B. Hinton of Rock Hill, S.C., Delores Roebuck of Decatur, Ga., Bernice Hinton of Hartford, Conn., Peggy Vaught of Hartford, Conn., and Carolyn Hinton of Charlotte, N.C.; three brothers, Thomas Hinton and his wife Julia, James Hinton and Donald Mobley, all of Rock Hill, S.C.; 23 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; four special friends who were like sons to him, Roland E. “Coach Roe” Williams and his wife Rita Williams of Bardstown, Dick Mason and his wife Paula of Springhill, Fla., Donald Drew and his wife Gwendolyn of Elizabethtown, and Will Thomas of Louisville; a special friend who was like a daughter to him, Natalie Thomas of Louisville; a special friend, Cecilia Marshall of Bardstown; and a host of nieces and nephews.

The funeral is 1 p.m. Saturday, April 21, 2012 at the First Baptist Church of Bardstown with burial in Bardstown Cemetery. Full military honors will be provided by the Marion County Veterans Honor Guard at the gravesite.

Visitation is 3-8 p.m. Friday, April 20, 2012, at the church and 11a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, April 21, 2012, at the church. An American Legion service will be at 6:30 p.m. Friday, with Masonic Last Rites: Consistory service at 7 p.m. with Blue House following.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Bardstown.

Mann and Greenwell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. For more information please visit http://mannandgreenwell.com/.

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