M. Marvin Botts, 89, of Denniston, Kentucky, passed away on April 7, 2021.

He was born January 28, 1932, in Scranton, Kentucky to Mort and Etta Botts.  He was a farmer, retired factory worker, veteran of the U.S. Army and a member of Botts Christian Church.

Surviving are his wife of 64 years, Lillie (Hughes) Botts; daughters, Martha (Doug) Brown, Susan Botts, Mindy (Greg) Camp, and Aleta Botts (Robert Doyle); grandchildren, Miranda, Trevor, Abbie, Maggie, Elijah and Elinor; sisters, Carol, Pauline and Louise; and brothers, James and Darrell.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Mort and Etta Botts; his brothers, Wayne, Osmyn and Olas; and a sister, Ozel.

Marvin was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Meritorious Service as a Sergeant First Class in the Infantry, United States Army for service in connection with military operations against an armed enemy in Korea in 1953.

After being honorably discharged from the service, he married Lillie Hughes, his childhood sweetheart and worked at Hobart Corporation.  They made their home in Dayton, Ohio, while making plans to return home to Menifee County, Kentucky, purchasing the family farm from his father in 1961.  They moved permanently to Denniston, Kentucky in 1978, where he farmed on Betty Gap Ridge, raising tobacco and cattle before starting a vegetable operation and founding the Menifee County Farmers Market.

He enjoyed fishing and could see a mushroom on the side of a hill better than anyone. He made knives for many family and friends and could sharpen blades for just about anything that could split a hair.  He was known for his tomatoes that were grown from seeds selected over decades and for growing melons that were so sweet that customers would say that it ought to be illegal for something to taste that good.  Every day this winter, he drove his 1970 Oliver tractor to feed his cattle a roll or two of hay.  The week of his passing he was working on clearing brush near his grafted apple trees and at the family cemetery.

A funeral service will be held 3 PM, Sunday, April 11, 2021 at Taul Funeral Home Chapel Frenchburg with Pastor Rick Back and Damon Byrd officiating, with burial following in Mort Botts Cemetery.  Visitation will be 1-3 PM, Sunday, April 11, 2021 at Taul Funeral Home Chapel Frenchburg.  Pallbearers will be Dale Botts, Jeff Botts, Mike Botts, James Botts, Wesley Botts and Brian Stamper.

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