Ben Weathers
1944-2015
In April of this year, The Washington County Historical Society lost a long-time member and good friend. Benjamin Freeman “Ben” Weathers lost his yearlong battle with metastatic lung cancer.
A native of Washington County, Ben was born catty-cornered across East Market Street from the Museum at Name Maternity Home on January 25, 1944, the only child of Herschel and Myrtle (Miller) Weathers. His mother was a long time teacher in the rural schools of Washington County and his father was a rural mail carrier out of Fredericksburg for nearly 50 years. Ben received his education in Posey Township until the high school burned at Hardinsburg. He transferred to Morgan Township and graduated from there in 1962. On May 5, 1967, Ben took for his wife and lifelong helpmate, Myra Lou Coots who was a nurse at Washington County Memorial Hospital in Salem for many years.
Ben was an outdoorsman and lover of nature, hunting being a favorite pastime. He had a wonderful collection of guns and Indian artifacts. Another area that peaked his interest in the last few years was the renovation of Beck’s Mill where he spent many hours donating his knowledge and time as a volunteer supporting the project in every way possible.
Ben was an active member of the Blue River Masonic Lodge in his native Fredericksburg, the Salem Lions Club and has served for many decades on the Washing County Cemetery Commission and was responsible for locating many lost cemeteries by his knack for “witching graves”. He was also a former member of the Salem City Council and the Salem Community School Board and a Director of Mid-Southern Savings Bank among other organizations.
Ben and Myra had two children, a son Steven and a daughter Carrie, now Mrs. Brock Chastain. Carries followed in her father’s footsteps and now she and Brock are operating the funeral home in which he founded. He also leaves to mourn their loss, Carrie’s song Jeffery Burch and Brock’s daughter Addie, as well as several cousins and a multitude of friends.
On the morning of April 10, 2015, Ben have up his struggle when he heard the words, “Well Done Thy Good and Faithful Servant, Enter into the Joys of the Lord.” I followed the hearse driven by daughter Carrie, carrying his body through his hometown of Fredericksburg on the way to his final resting place—Blue River Church of Christ Cemetery in Harrison County where he joined generations of his family’s ancestors.
I went as far as I could go with Ben here on this earth, but I hope someday I have the privilege of entering the Pearly Gates where I’m sire Ben will be standing wit his pipe in one hand and the other stitched saying, “ Hey John! What took you so long to get here?”
I’m looking forward to that Ben—save a seat for me and put in a good word to Saint Peter!
Rest in Peace my friend,
John W. Hughes
*Full version of John Hughes’ memorial available at the Stevens Museum*
