Marion Gail Waltrip, 93, of Owensboro, passed away on Friday, March 6, 2026 at Signature Healthcare at Hillcrest. She was born June 20, 1932 in Hopkins County, Kentucky to the late Barney David Johnson and Elizabeth Whobrey Johnson. Marion was the owner and operator of several restaurants and was a member of Ridgewood Baptist Church.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Larkin Johnson and R.C. Johnson; and a sister, Durelle Johnson.
She is survived by a son, David Hardesty (Melanie); two daughters, Martha H. Payne (Richard) and Marion Deniese Reinhardt (Mark); six grandchildren, Carolyn Cravens, Melissa Lake (Zach), Sherri Walden (Davy), Stephanie Lane (Greg), Van Weatherholt, and Kinsey Gates; eight great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at James H. Davis Funeral Home and Crematory. Burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery. Visitation is from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to the Owensboro Humane Society, 3101 W. 2nd Street, Owensboro, KY 42301.