Emalene Reynolds Rohrer

Emalene Reynolds Rohrer, 98, a Jessamine County native and longtime Nicholasville resident, died peacefully at her retirement community in Richmond, VA, Tuesday after a brief illness.

Mrs. Rohrer, a graduate of Nicholasville High school, worked for many years as a telephone operator in Nicholasville, and served as chief operator until the telephone system was converted to dial in 1958.

In recent years she spent much of her time doing genealogical research, helping people from across the United States trace ancestors in Jessamine County back into the 18th and 19th centuries. Despite her age, she used the internet and e-mail in her work

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bert K. Rohrer Jr., her parents, Lindsay J. and Smylie Burton Reynolds, and by two brothers, Rice and Willy Reynolds.

Mrs. Rohrer is survived by a son, Bert L. Rohrer of Warsaw; Va., and three grandchildren; Stephanie R. Mahevich of Fairfax County, Va., Charlotte C. Rohrer of Versailles, and Mark L. Rohrer of New York City.

Private services will be conducted at a later date.

Betts & West Funeral Home in charge of local arrangements. Online guestbook at www.BettsandWestfuneralhome.com

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