Emma Black

Emma Black 81, of Ironton, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011, at her residence.

Emma was born on March 7, 1930, in Huntington, W.Va., the daughter of the late Dora and Annabelle Bailey Johnson. She was a homemaker.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Clifford L. Black; five sisters, Georgia and Edna Johnson, Dolly Craft, Ola Smith, and Jean Craft and four brothers, Ed Johnson, William Johnson, Franklin Johnson and Robert Johnson.

She is survived by her three daughters and son in law, Dora Ann and David Tackett of Webbville, Ky., Karen Turner of Ironton and Diana Bumbalough of Cookeville, Tenn.; three sons and daughters in law, Thomas and Brenda Black, Cecil and Kim Black all of Ironton and Clifford “Rusty” Black of Kitts Hill; 23 grandchildren, 45 great grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Reger Funeral Chapel with Pastor Truman Maynard officiating. Burial will follow at Docks Creek Cemetery. Friends may call from noon – 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Gary Wilson

Gary Lee Wilson, 70, of Ironton, passed away Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011, at a local health care center in Ironton. The Lawrence County native was born June 26, 1941, the son of the late Ernie E. and Thelma Lucille Callicoat Wilson.

Mr. Wilson was a graduate of Waterloo High School and was a former employee for the Dayton Malleable-Ironton Iron Company, retiring after 23 years there. He was a former member of the Ironton Moose and Eagles and loved to farm.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Rick Wilson.

He is survived by a daughter, Lisa Y. Malone of Ironton; a son, William “Bill” D. Wilson of Indiana; seven grandchildren, Kayla Maynard, Derek Malone, Mitchell Malone, Jacob Malone, Mathew Malone, Shelby Wilson and Dillon Wilson; three great grandchildren, Raelynn Maynard, Brenna Maynard, and Addison Wilson; two brothers, Ernest “Bud” Wilson and Randall Wilson both of Marysville; three sisters, Shirley Hardy of Willow Wood, Carol Blair of South Point, and Kathy Fout of Ironton.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Phillips Funeral Home with Bro. Dave Schug officiating. Burial will follow in Wilgus Fairview Cemetery. Visitation will be 1-2 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.

Muriel Stoots

PEDRO — Muriel Hart Stoots, 98, of Pedro, passed away peacefully Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011, at the Community Hospice Care Center in Ashland, Ky. The Toecane, N.C. native was born Oct.18, 1912, the daughter of the late David C. and Magdaline (Maggie) Canipe Hart. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Hurley Stoots.

Mrs. Stoots was a homemaker and a member of the Kingdom Hall Jehovah Witness Church in Ironton. She lived in North Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia and Washington, DC. She spent the last 48 years of her life in Lawrence County. She was a loving mother and grandmother and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Muriel’s door and heart were always open to anyone in need. Her interests included her family, cooking, sewing and gardening. She devoted much of her time and energy as a caregiver to family members. She enjoyed reading the Bible and Bible publications.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two sons, Donald Stoots and Larry Stoots; a daughter, Judy Waddell; five brothers, Charlie Hart, Robert Hart, David Hart, Clayton Hart and John Hart; five sisters, Myrtle Phillips, Julie Roberts, Nell Burleson, Sally Hart, and Ella Johnson.

She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Becky Stoots of Hollywood, Md.; a daughter and son-in-law, Anna and Mike Malone of Pedro; a son-in-law, Tyree Waddell; 13 grandchildren, Tyree Waddell Jr., Roger Waddell and his wife Roxanne, Debbie Stoots, Teresa Farrell and her husband Jr., Christina Stoots, Larry Stoots, Jr., Shyla Stoots, Amanda Stoots, Klayton Stoots, Jeremy Stoots and his wife Amber, Kristin Ratliff and her husband Chad, Jessica French and her husband Zach, and Michael Malone and his wife Autumn; 18 great grandchildren and two on the way, Jessie, Beth, Jacob, Michael, Justun, Ashley, Marilee, Autumn, Trey, Kaitlyn, Alexanderia, Joshua, James, Brooklyn, Braydon, Mason, Mycah, and Gavin and a great great grandchild: Jayde.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Phillips Funeral Home with Minister Dan Schomburg officiating. Burial will follow in Woodland Cemetery. Visitation will be noon-1 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. The family would like to thank Abbott Home Care, TLC Assisted Living, Kristie Bamer, Judy Bailey and Community Hospice Care Center for the wonderful care they provided.

In leiu of flowers donations may be made to the Community Hospice Care Center, 2330 Pollard Road, Ashland, Kentucky 41101. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.

Doug Carey

MASSILLON — Ira D. “Doug” Carey, 76, of Massillon, formerly of Coal Grove, died Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2011, at Affinity Medical Center. A memorial visitation was Friday at the Spidell Funeral Home in Brewster. A family graveside service will be at a later date at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman. A memorial website has been created by the funeral home and may be accessed at www.spidellfuneralhome.com where you may share a memory or sign the guestbook.

Charles Timothy Kitts

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Charles Timothy Kitts, 53, of Las Vegas, Nev., formerly of Ironton, died Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011, after an extended illness.

Tim is survived by his significant other, Kimberly Stevens; one brother, Mick and Fay Kitts; and two sisters, May Lou Wymer and Keith, and Jackie Null and Terry.

Services will be at the discretion of the family.