Jesse Merril Roach, 91, of Polkadotte, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008, at his home, where he lived his whole life. The Lawrence County native was born Oct. 20, 1917, the son of the late Griffin Roach and Stella Ann Watson Roach Dement. He was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie Faye Wells Roach, who passed away in 1961.
Mr. Roach was a retired school bus driver with Symmes Valley School District, a former employee of A.C.F. Industries, Allied Chemical Nitrogen Plant and a farmer. He was also former owner/operator of Roach Grocery and Carry Out on Greasy Ridge. He attended Mason School and Roach School and was born again in Christ Jesus Sept. 11, 2008.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a son, Rick Roach; two brothers, Earl Roach and Orlyn Roach; and three sisters, Opal Bennett, Mary Murdock and Bessie Carrico.
He is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Dottie Lou and Dennis Craig of Scottown;
daughter and son-in-law, Lois Ann and Garold Herrell of Arabia; daughter and son-in-law, Linda Sue and Paul Herrell of Aid; daughter-in-law, Vickie Roach of Proctorville; eight grandchildren, Rhonda and Donnie Rigney of Scottown, Jim and Tracy Herrell of Willow Wood, Deanna Herrell of Raceland, Tony and Deana Herrell of Aid, Melanie and Wayne Taylor, Michael and Tonya Roach of Proctorville, Bonnie Roach, and Richard and Amanda Roach of South Point; 13 great grandchildren; one great great grandchild due in July; and special caregivers, Tina Roach, Hazel Payne, and Hospice of Huntington.
Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday at Phillips Funeral Home with Pastor Matthew Klaiber and Rev. Cleo Watson officiating. Burial will follow in Locust Grove Cemetery. Friends may call today from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Tony Herrell, Jim Herrell, Michael Roach, Richard Roach, Wayne Taylor, Donnie Rigney, and Roger Roach. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.