Joyce Shope

Joyce Ann (Adams) Shope, 76, of Ironton, passed away Saturday, May 30, 2015, at a local health care facility. The Hanging Rock native was born August 21, 1938, a daughter to the late Orville and Mary Ellen (Bryant) Adams. Joyce is survived by her husband of 58 years, Glenn Shope.

Joyce was a 1956 graduate of Rock Hill High School. She worked as a caretaker for the CAO group home. She also worked a voting booth in Ironton for over 30 years. Joyce loved her family and was a loving mother.

In addition to her husband, Mrs. Shope is survived by a son, Brian Shope, of Ironton; a daughter, Glynis (Donnie) Fields, of Ironton; two grandchildren, Miranda Dawn (Jerry) Spillman and Laura Ann Shope, both of Ironton; two great-grandchildren, Aaron and Dakota Spillman, both of Ironton; two sisters, Carol Jean (Raymond) Easterling, of Florida, and Gladys (Paul) McClaskey, of Ironton; two brothers, Alfred “Buck” (Janet) Adams, of Florida, and Danny Joe Adams, of Ironton; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Joyce was preceded in death by two sons, Greg and Jeffrey Shope; three sisters, Virginia Adams, Betty Irene Adams-Mullens and Mary Lou Adams; two brothers, Clarence “Bub” Adams and Lester Remy “Doc” Adams; and four infant siblings.

A memorial service will be at a later date and at the convenience of the family. Phillips Funeral Home is assisting the family with the funeral service.

 

 

Betty Lutz

Elizabeth (Betty) Wade Lutz, age 95, peacefully went home to God on May 28, 2015, following a brief hospitalization at Dublin Methodist Hospital in Columbus. Betty was born in Ironton and was a long time resident there until moving to Columbus in 2009. Betty was a teacher for over 30 years in elementary and high school and she also devoted many years of her life to the Ken-O-Valley Council, Girl Scouts of America, as a professional Field Director. She was a member of the First Baptist Church since 1929. She also participated in AAUW and the Business and Professional Women. She graduated from Ohio University, Athens.

Betty is preceded in death by her parents, Earl V. and Elizabeth I. Wade; her husband, Killian F. Lutz; and her brother-in-law, Gail D. Turley. Betty is survived by her devoted sister, Barbara W. Turley and her step-children, Sheila Lutz, Fr. Kevin F. Lutz, and Michaeleen (Ed) Wesley. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Bridget (Bryan) Hamilton, Catherine (Andrew) Butler, Erin (Christopher) Bennett and Michael Wesley. Betty was known lovingly as “Gigi” (great-grandmother) to her great-grandchildren, Jacob, Annie and Gabriel Hamilton, who will miss her very much. Betty also leaves behind an extended family of nieces and nephews. She will also be missed by her faithful feline friend Tabatha.

A service will be conducted at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Phillips Funeral Home. The Rev. Eric Barnes from First Baptist Church will officiate with Betty’s stepson, Fr. Kevin F. Lutz, from St. Mary’s of German Village.

Donations can be made to First Baptist Church or the Delaware County Humane Society.

 

 

Rita Marcum

Rita Kay Marcum, 54, of Coal Grove, passed away Saturday, May 30, 2015, at her residence. She was born in Columbus on Dec. 16, 1960, a daughter to Ermal Marcum and the late Lois Maxine (Browning) Marcum.

Rita was a loved daughter, mother, and a devoted grandmother. Two of her greatest joys in life were sneaking candy to her grandson before dinner and cooking for her family. She had a special way of making others feel comforted and loved, especially with her family-famous macaroni and cheese. She was the wind at her family’s back and their pillar when they needed support.

Ms. Marcum was a 1979 graduate of Dawson-Bryant High School. Rita was of the Christian faith. She was survived by a daughter, Kelli (Eric) Christian, of Harrisburg, North Carolina; a son, Jonathon Lyons, of Coal Grove; two grandchildren, Breaker Christian, of Harrisburg, and Avery Buffington, of Coal Grove; two sisters, Alice (Blaine) Woodburn, of Coal Grove, and Angela (Gregory) Bocook, of Coal Grove; a brother, David (Michelle) Marcum, of Coal Grove; and five nieces, Amanda (John) Craven, of Houston, Texas, Ariel Bocook, Davin Marcum, Lakin Marcum, and Ragin Marcum, all of Coal Grove.

Her role in her family will never be filled, but the place she left in their hearts will never be empty.

Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Wednesday, with the Rev. James Cremeans officiating. Visitation will be from 2-3 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Condolences may be made online by visiting www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.

 

Nancy Hammonds

Nancy Mae (Stephenson) Hammonds, 92, of Ironton, passed away Saturday, May 30, 2015, at a local health care facility. The Lawrence County native was born Nov. 1, 1922, a daughter of the late James F. and Emma Freeman Stephenson. She was also preceded in death by her husband, James Donald Hammonds, whom she married April 16, 1955.

Mrs. Hammonds was a graduate of Ironton High School, a homemaker and a life long member and Sunday school teacher of Pine Street Methodist Church and attended the Lawrence Furnace Church.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by five brothers, David Stephenson, Jack Stephenson, William Stephenson, Frank Stephenson and Thomas Stephenson; and a sister, Emma Harvey

She is survived by a daughter, Susan Bridges, of Ironton; and a sister, Laura Jane Fullerton, of Coal Grove.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Phillips Funeral Home with the Rev. Jimmy Lee Cremeans officiating. Burial will follow in Woodland Cemetery and visitation will be noon-1 p.m. at the funeral home. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.

 

 

Sylvia Sexton

Sylvia Edith Harvey Sexton, of Wilmington, North Carolina, formerly of South Point, died Friday, May 29, 2015, in Wilmington. Graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Highland Memorial Gardens, South Point. Slack and Wallace Funeral Home, South Point, is assisting the family.