Rosella Besco

Rosella Besco, 83, of Pedro, died Friday, April 18, 2014, at St. Mary’s Medical Center-Ironton Campus. The Superior native was born Feb. 27, 1931, the daughter of the late Dewey and Helen Sharp Depriest. She was the widow of Charles “Lefty” Besco, whom she married Aug. 13, 1949.

She attended school at Bartles Station and attended Pleasant Valley Church and was of the Baptist faith. She was a retired cook for the Rock Hill School District.

Other than her husband and her parents she was preceded in death by a great-grandson, William Steven Rowe; and son-in-law, Rick Cosner. She was also preceded in death by five brothers, the Rev. Edward Depriest, Walter Depriest, Clarence Depriest, Donald Depriest and Raymond Depriest; and four sisters, Manilla Herrell, Verna McFann, Melody and Marjorie Depriest.

She is survived by three daughters, Rebecca Cosner, Rita Besco and Regina Besco, all of Pedro; Regina’s ex-husband, Mike Bays; three sons and a daughter-in-law, Roger Besco, of Chesapeake, Raymond and Jessie Besco, and Rex Besco, all of Ironton. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; four sisters and two brothers-in-law, Gertrude Carmon, Judy (Gayln) Hanes, Vera Markel and Helen (Lloyd) Kidd; five sisters-in-law, Delores Depriest, Linda and Lynda Depriest, Wanda Parker and Gail Large; two brothers-in-law, Tommy Herrell and Donald McFann; a host of nieces and nephews; and her Boston terrier Boo.

Private family graveside services will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Woodland Cemetery with the Rev. Kenny Lawson officiating. Friends may call from noon until 1:45 p.m. Thursday at Phillips Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you donate to the Alzheimer’s Association battle for a cure or the American Heart Association in her name. Pallbearers will be Patrick Terkhorn, Jake King, Todd Terkhorn, D. McFann, Richie McFann and Austin Smith. Honorary pallbearers will be Tyler Dillon, Landon Smith, Brant McFann and Jonah Bruce. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.

 

 

James Taylor

James Moses Taylor, 89, of Ironton, passed away Sunday, April 20, 2014, at his residence. The Thomas native was born March 25, 1925, a son of the late Rush Bege and Carrie McCoy Taylor. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Donna Beaver Taylor, whom he married Dec. 21, 1974.

Mr. Taylor was a WWII Army veteran, receiving the Bronze Star and the Combat Infantry Badge while in the service. After serving in the army, he re-enlisted in the Army Air Force and was a retired truck driver from Ford Brothers Inc. and a retired Teamster. Mr. Taylor loved listening to Southern Gospel music, liked to travel, enjoyed talking on the CB radio, was a member of the DAV and was of the Baptist faith.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Foustena Seligh and Betty Jo Baker; and four brothers, Bradley Taylor, Landon Taylor, A.J. Taylor and Ralph Taylor.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Anthony and Tanya Taylor of Ironton; five daughters, Angela and Robert Bocook of Minford, Glenda and Mayo Martin of Flatwoods, Ky., Regina Barker of Lexington, Ky., Deborah and Darrell Thompson of South Point and Barbara Wilcox of Ashland, Ky.; brother, Lloyd Taylor of Fort Worth, Texas; 15 grandchildren, Alyssa, Dillin, Blake, James, Aaron, Isaac, Bradley, Jonathon, Walker, Travis, Frankie, Tabitha, Jamey, Grant and Stevie; and 13 great-grandchildren and many special nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Phillips Funeral Home with pastor Buddy Baker officiating. Burial will follow in Woodland Cemetery with military graveside rites by the VFW Post 8850. Visitation will be Wednesday from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Anthony Taylor, Dillin Vernatter, Blake Taylor, Jonathon Spoljaric, Bradley Spoljaric and Robert Bocook. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.

 

 

Vada Mount

Vada Berry Mount, 89, of Kitts Hill, died Monday, April 21, 2014, in Cabell Huntington Hospital. Arrangements are pending at Schneider-Griffin Funeral Home in Chesapeake. Also visit www.schneidergriffin.com.

 

 

Jenny Halleck

Jenny Halleck, 55, of Ironton, died Monday, April 21, 2014, at Community Hospice Care Center in Ashland, Ky. Arrangements are pending at Tracy Brammer-Monroe Funeral Home in Ironton.

Christopher Sprouse

Beloved son of Ruben T. Sprouse Jr. “Teddy”, of Ironton, and Laura A. Sprouse, of Beaver, was tragically taken from all who knew and loved him to be with God. Christopher was the only child and is survived by his father and mother. He is also survived by his paternal grandparents, Pamela F. and Ruben T. Sprouse Sr. “Ted”, of Ironton; and maternal grandparents, Donna and Roy S. Bowling, of Beaver; three paternal aunts, LeAnna Leigh and Louie Edward Burling, of Union, Amy and Jared Redmond and sons, of Ironton, Jennifer and Carey Miller and daughters, of Ironton; maternal aunt, Kristie Jenkins and daughter, of Beaver; paternal great aunts and uncles, Mickey and Richard Baldwin and family, of Dayton, Carol Hampton and family, of Ironton, Beverly and Roy Sprouse and family, of Ironton, Reta and Donnie Sprouse and family. of Myrtle Beach. S.C., Sallie Delrio and family, of California, Sharon and Jack Delong and family, of Ironton, Lana and Mike Markel and family, of Ironton, Debbie and Don Barker and family, of Ironton, Sandy and Danny McKnight and family, of Ironton, Larry Avery and family, of Ironton, Patsy and Gene Dye and family, of Racine, Wis.; maternal great-aunts, Julie Jesse and family, of Beaver, Lorette Bowling, of Jackson, and Cleo Bowling and family, of Jackson. He will be missed by many friends, loved ones and his favorite beagles, Cowboy and Jack.

Services for the family will be 4:30-5 p.m. Tuesday at Eastern High School in Beaver. Friends may call from 5-9 p.m. Funeral service will be 4 p.m. Wednesday also at the school. Flowers may be sent to the Beaver High School or Cox Funeral Home in Beaver. Burial will be at Pine Grove Cemetery. Graveside services for family and friends will be announced at a later date.

 

 

Larry Kelley

Larry Emerson Kelley Sr., 71, of Ironton, after an extended illness, went home to be with the Lord on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2014, at his home. The Ironton native was born Sept. 27, 1942, son of the late William H. Kelley and Stella Mae Ross Kelley. He is survived by the love of his life, his loving wife of 52 years, Louella (Pennington) Kelley, whom he married Sept. 1, 1961.

Mr. Kelley graduated from Rock Hill High School in 1960. He retired from General Telephone Company (GTE) in Ashland, Ky., in 1999 after 33 years of service. Since retirement, he worked for Phillips Funeral Home until December 2012. He also served as a firefighter and fire chief of the Upper Township Volunteer Fire Department for many years. Most importantly, he was saved in 1959 and served the Lord for many years. He was a member of Sheridan FWB church in South Point. Over the years, he held many church positions, serving as a deacon, trustee, choir leader and Sunday school teacher at Campbell Chapel FWB church. He was also a trustee at Pine Grove FWB church and later a Sunday school teacher and trustee at Symmes Valley FWB church. He also served as Sunday school superintendent and trustee at Sheridan FWB church. He enjoyed attending church and listening to gospel music. He loved traveling to Asheville, N.C., to the Primitive Quartet annual gospel sing for 25-plus years. He never met a stranger, always wore a smile and is known for his love and compassion for others.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his sister, Juanita Matney Johnson; and a brother, Charles Henry Kelley. He was also preceded in death by his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Ella Laura (Dalton) Pennington and Frank Pennington, of Ashland, Ky.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his four children and their families of whom he was so proud, Bonnie and Randy Patrick, Larry and Lora Kelley, Patricia and Don Bays, of Ironton; and Tom and Shannon Kelley, of Piketon; four very precious grandchildren who were the lights of his life, Dustin Bays, Leighton Kelley, Laila Kelley and Legend Kelley; one brother, Barney Kelley, of Jericho, Vt.; two sisters, Thelma Pierce, of Ironton, and Frances Born, of Dade City, Fla.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Sheridan Freewill Baptist Church on County Road 1 in South Point, with pastor and son-in-law brother Randy Patrick and Brother Mike Cox officiating. Burial will follow at Haverhill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-10 p.m. today at Sheridan FWB church. To offer condolences to the family, please visit http://www.phillipsfuneralhome.net./