Elizabeth Shepherd

At first, angels stood around her bed guarding her every breath. Later when her breath began to fade, the angels hovered above her gently lifting her spirit into the heavenly arms of God. Elizabeth Etta “Red” Shepherd, 82, of Patriot, entered the gates of heaven on April 6, 2015, with family and friends by her bedside at KDMC, Ashland. The family sends their gratitude to the staff for the excellent care and treatment during these difficult days.

Born March 12, 1933, in Marion, Red was the daughter of the late Charles and Amzel Miller. She was a housewife who embraced life to its fullest. Although she had no children of her own. Red helped raise more children during her short life than could ever be counted. For that we are all eternally grateful. She never turned away those who needed help. She was the rock whom family and friends turned to when in need of a helpful hand or a shoulder to lean on. She had a passion for serving others, and always putting others needs before her own. She often opened her home to offer a cold drink and a cooked meal, a meal no one would forget. Those having the privilege of staying the night would be treated to a tasty breakfast. Her beloved dog, Rebel, had the benefit of getting the leftovers as one can tell from his size. He, too, misses her.

Red always listened to people and never left anyone out. She enjoyed the simple things of life and never took anything or anyone for granted. If someone needed a ride into town, or had a doctor’s appointment or needed groceries, Red would provide the transportation, be the comforter waiting with them, or prepare the next meal for their table.

Red was a member of Rehobeth Church, Waterloo. A woman of strong faith, believing in the power and strength of Jesus Christ, Red knew Him as her Savior. She now is enjoying the peace, love and beauty of her Lord and Savior in Heaven.

Red is survived by the love of her life, Lawrence E. Shepherd, whom she was married to for over 60 years. Also surviving are her sister, Anna Mae (Ronnie) White of Barboursville, West Virginia, Carolyn (Tommy) Stanley, of Patriot, and Linda (Mike) Pemberton of Ironton. She also leaves surviving, her brothers, Allen (Carol) Miller of Willow Wood, Albert Miller of Marion and Marvin Miller of Patriot. Red was preceded in death by her brothers, William Miller of Marion, Eaf Miller of Marion, Charles Tom Miller of Marion and Henry (Marsha) Miller of Larue, along with two sisters, Jenny (Thomas) Smith of Ashtabula and Shirley (Oscar) Miller of Oak Hill.

Red was blessed with a host of nieces and nephews whom she loved very much. They were all special to her, and they adored her. Most of them would claim her as their own mother or grandmother. She lovingly claimed them as her own in return. Red was never alone in life, and will never be alone in the eternal life she now shares with the saints.

We all want Red to know she did a great job in her life’s journey here on earth. We will remember her smile, her warmth and energy, her love for life and family and friends. She worked hard all her life and made a difference in the lives of many. She will never be forgotten.

Funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Rehobeth Church with pastor Henry Hatfield, pastor Roy Roach and pastor Tim Roach officiating. Burial will be at Flagsprings Cemetery, Waterloo, immediately following the service. Visitation will be from 6-9 p.m. on Friday at Phillips Funeral Home, and the body will lie in state one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorial donations may be made to Rehobeth Church, Waterloo. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www. phillipsfuneralhome.net.

 

 

Lahoma Graham

Lahoma Mae Reed “Kathy and Sissy” Graham, 85, of South Point, went home to be with the Lord, Tuesday, April 7, 2015, at her residence. Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Schneider-Griffin Funeral Home with pastor Mike Lawrie officiating. Burial will follow in Highland Memorial Gardens, South Point.

Lahoma was born June 7, 1929, in Lawrence County, a daughter of the late Owen James and Birdie Bell Huff Reed. She was a Christian and a homemaker. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Patterson Graham, Sr.; one brother, James Owen Reed; and one sister, Mary Katheryn Smith. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Donald Patterson “Pat” Graham, Jr., and his wife, Andrea; two grandchildren, Zachary Randall Frazier and Donald Patterson “DJ” Graham, III; and a nephew, Larry “Rod” Smith.

Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.schneidergriffin.com.

 

Tom Dickess

Ralph “Tom” Gary Dickess, 82 of Ironton, passed away Tuesday, April 7, 2015, at King’s Daughters Medical Center in Ashland. The Coal Grove native was born June 2, 1932, the son of the late Charles L. and Carrie Pemberton Dickess. He is survived by his wife Mary Jenkins Dickess.

Mr. Dickess attended Forest Dale Schools and was a former construction worker for C.J. Hughes and Fred Hammond Construction Company. Tom had several occupations that kept him busy ranging from concrete work, brick layer, remodeling homes, various construction jobs, worked on cars and even when he retired he had a lawnmower and weed eater sales and repair in his garage at home. He sometimes had his son Charlie and Sam and his first grandson Dustin to help. He loved spending time with family and he loved his family so much that he rebuilt his family home by hand that was destroyed in 1983.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by three brothers, Sam, Jack and Charles “Chaud” Dickess; three sisters, Wanda Murnahan, Jenny Holly, Elizabeth Kratzenburg; and mother-in-law, Pearl Marie Bruce.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Carrie and Dale Turner of Coal Grove; a son, Charlie and Willie Dickess of Coal Grove; a son, Sammy Dickess of Ironton; six grandchildren: Dustin Dickess, Jessica Turner, Trent Turner, Addy Dickess, Chelsea Dickess and Dylan Turner; loving sister, Kaye Dickess Prichard of Coal Grove; brother-in-law, James and Karen Jenkins of Coal Grove; niece: Robin Ackison and Heidi Matney of South Point; sister-in-law, Norma Ison of Huntington, West Virginia; and many nieces and nephews

Funeral service will be 8 p.m. Saturday at Phillips Funeral Home with the Rev. Terry Wagner officiating and visitation will be Saturday from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. At the family’s request donations can be made to Phillips Funeral Home, P.O. Box 122, Ironton, OH 45638.To offer condolences to the family please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.

 

 

Mary O’Daniel

Mary Hall O’Daniel, 95, died peacefully on April 4, 2015. She is survived by sister, Edith Barnett; son, Robert O’Daniel; grandson, Robert Mayne; and granddaughters, Mary Elmore, Tara O’Daniel, Leah O’Daniel Polanski (Allen) and Kendra O’Daniel Gorski (Andrew). She left behind a legacy of 12 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren. She graduated from Wheelersburg High in 1938 and moved to South Point in 1951. She is predeceased by husband, Robert H. O’Daniel; daughter, Annette O’Daniel Chateau (Burt); parents, Arminda and James “Tige” Hall; and 13 brothers and sisters. Services will be held at Highland Memorial Gardens in South Point, at a date to be determined.

 

Thomas McComas

Thomas Junior McComas, 72, of New Straitsville, died Thursday, April 9, 2015. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at 11 a.m. on Monday at the Oliver-Cheek Funeral Home, 420 W. Main St. Ashville, Graveside service will be at 3 p.m. in Langdon Cemetery, Lawrence County.