Everett E. Williams

Aug. 21, 1920 — Feb. 7, 2016

Everett Edward Williams, 95, of Franklin Furnace, passed away Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016, at Hill View Health Care surrounded by his family. He was born Aug. 21, 1920, in Wheelersburg, a son of the late George Washington and Nellie Rae Linkous Williams.

Everett attended a one-room schoolhouse until fifth grade and then the Great Depression hit, forcing him to quit school and begin logging with a team of mules to help support his family. A member of the Greatest Generation, Everett was one of the oldest living World War II Army veterans in Scioto County. He served in the Rhineland and Central Europe and was awarded the American Theater Ribbon, European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with two Bronze Stars, the Good Conduct Medal and World War II Victory Medal. His recollections from World War II were featured in the Sam Piatt book entitled “Men of Valor.” Everett was honored for his military service when he served as the Grand Marshall of the 2014 Wheelersburg Little League Opening Day Parade.

A farmer all of his life, he retired from the former Harbison-Walker Refractories as a machinist after 35 years of service. He was also a longtime member of St. John Lutheran Church and was active on church council in various capacities for many years. He helped a great deal when the new church was built in 1968. Everett especially loved spending time with his family, playing practical jokes and laughter. He was also a good neighbor to all and was always ready to lend a helping hand.

Surviving Everett is his wife of 68 years, Martha Christena Gleim Williams, whom he married Jan. 2, 1948, at St. John Lutheran Church in Franklin Furnace. Also surviving are two sons, Rick (Nancy) Williams and Johnny Ray (Rita) Williams, all of Franklin Furnace; three daughters, Patricia Ann (Larry) Poole, of Milford, Phyllis Jane (Thomas) Bussler, of Franklin Furnace, and Tracy Lynn (Andy) Riehl, of Lucasville; 13 grandchildren, Andrea (Chris) Giordullo, Kyle (Rachel Heyl) Gifford, Kent Gifford, Wendy Queen, Kara (Shane) Tieman, Jason (Michelle) Williams, Lance (Tyler Riedel) Williams, Laura (Joe) Briggs, Leigh Ann (Scott) Henry, Chris Williams, Dustin Williams, Patrick Riehl and Nathan Riehl; and 18 great-grandchildren, Nick and Isaiah Giordullo, Bella and Everett Gifford, Sam and Sadie Tieman, Rachel, Jacob, Abigail, Elizabeth, Sarah and Benjamin Williams, Will and Wesley Briggs, Reese Henry, and Timmy, Krista and Jurzi Williams.

He was also preceded in death by two sons, Stephen Edward Williams and Christopher Scott Williams; and four siblings, Virgil and Elwood Williams, Marjorie Call and Geneva Johnson.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at St. John Lutheran Church with the Rev. Richard Match officiating. Interment will be in St. John Cemetery with military graveside rites by the William A. Baker Post #363 Post American Legion Honor Detail.

The family will receive friends at the Ralph F. Scott Funeral Home in Portsmouth Thursday from 4-8 p.m. and one hour prior to services at the church Friday.

Memorial contributions may be made to the St. John Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, 5600 Junior Furnace-Powellsville Road, Franklin Furnace, OH 45629 and SOMC Hospice, 2201-25th St., Portsmouth, OH 45662. Online condolences may be shared at www.RalphFScott.com.

 

Fredrick Justice

Fredrick William Justice, 72, of Coal Grove, died Monday, Feb. 8, 2016, at the King’s Daughters Medical Center in Ashland. He will be cremated. Brown Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

 

Kenda Harper

Kenda M. Harper, 53, of Ironton, died Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016, at the Community Hospice Care Center in Ashland. Funeral services will be at noon on Thursday at Phillips Funeral Home with the Rev. James Cremeans officiating and visitation will be Thursday from 11 a.m. until the time of the service. There will be a private family burial. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.

 

Taccie Lockard

Taccie Ann Lockard, 86, of Proctorville, died Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016, at home. She is survived by her husband Frank Lockard. Arrangements are pending at Hall Funeral Home and Crematory, Proctorville.

 

Wanda Willis

March 10, 1940 — Feb. 7, 2016

Wanda Saunders Willis, 75, went to meet her King on Sunday morning, Feb. 7, 2016.

She was born on March 10, 1940, in Gallia County, a daughter of the late Ruby F. Shaw Saunders and Heber Marshall Saunders. Wanda was an elementary school teacher, retiring from the Gallipolis City Schools in 1990. After retiring, she worked for another 10 years in drug education with the school system. Wanda, with her husband Cleeland, founded Willis Funeral Home in 1974 and loved serving her community through their services.

Wanda was a member of First Baptist Church, where she had been co-chair of the Kitchen Committee. She served on several community boards which included The Gallia County Senior Citizens and The Gallia County Red Cross. Wanda was also active in Delta Kappa Gamma and the Gallia County Retired Teachers Organization. In 2008, she published her book, “The Beveled Mirror: Reflections of an Appalachian Family,” which resounded with many families in her community. Wanda graduated from GAHS in 1956 and received her bachelor’s degree from Rio Grande College and her master’s degree from Marshall University.

Wanda was married to Cleeland Ray Willis on June 27, 1958, and he survives in Gallipolis. Also surviving are her daughter Lou Ann Willis Shawver and her husband Kent; her son Matthew Ray Willis and his wife Letty all of Gallipolis; five grandchildren, Betsy Shawver Brown and her husband Aaron of Huntington, Brianne Rae Willis of Ashland, Zach Shawver and his wife Julie of Whitehouse, Sam Shawver and his wife Katie of Gallipolis, and Brooke Willis of Ashland; three great grandchildren, Zane Shawver and twins Sadie and Tucker Brown; and one sister Joy (Robert) Spencer of Gallipolis; and two brothers, Harold Saunders of Gallipolis and Haskell Saunders of Bidwell. Several nieces and nephews also survive. Wanda was the youngest of her siblings and was preceded in death by her sisters Nancy Saunders and Thelma Slone and by two brothers Hebie Lewis Saunders and Hayward Saunders.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday at First Baptist Church with Pastor Alvis Pollard officiating. Her burial will follow in Providence Cemetery on Teens Run Road. Visiting hours will be from 3 p.m.–7 p.m. on Thursday at First Baptist Church. Pallbearers will be her grandsons and granddaughters, and honorary pallbearers will be her nephews and nieces.

Wanda’s family is thankful to their church family and community for their prayers and support and to Holzer Hospice for the care she received. Her family suggests memorials be given to Holzer Hospice or to First Baptist Church, 1100 Fourth Ave. Gallipolis, OH 45631. Please visit www.willisfuneralhome.com to send email condolences.

 

Robert Payne

May 2, 1954 — Feb. 9, 2016

Robert Lee Payne, 61, of Grove City, passed away on Feb. 9, 2016. He was born on May 2, 1954, in Ironton son of Freda Payne of Columbus and the late Frank E. Payne.

Mr. Payne was a veteran of the United States Air Force. He was a 1972 graduate of Ironton High School.

He is survived by his mother, Freda Payne; his wife, Paulette Payne of Grove City; his son and daughter-in-law, Robert A. and Margaret Payne of Long Bottom, Ohio; his grandchildren, Maria, Michael and Chloe; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Frank Payne and his sister, Nelda Disorbo.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. on Friday with pastor David Brainard officiating at the First Southern Baptist Church in Pomeroy. Visiting hours will be at the church from 11-1 p.m. Friday. A registry is available at www.andersonmcdaniel.com.

 

Betty Christian

Feb. 16, 1933 — Feb. 7, 2016

Betty Lou Christian, 83, of Ironton, went home to be with our Lord February 7, 2016 at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Huntington. The Amherstdale, West Virginia, native was born Feb. 16, 1933, a daughter of the late Frank B. and Lola Imes Shields. She is survived by her loving husband of 66 years, Elbert “Cotton” Christian, whom she married Oct. 6, 1949.

Mrs. Christian attended Man High School in West Virginia and enjoyed her grandkids, great grandkids and loved helping people. She was a homemaker and was an employee for the River Valley Health System in Ironton for several years and was also a member of the Sugar Creek Missionary Baptist Church.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Francis Linville and Dorthy Tomblin; a brother, Bubby Shields; and a son-in-law, Oliver Pat Hieronimus.

In addition to her loving husband, she is survived by a daughter, Diann Hieronimus of Kitts Hill; a son, Gary L. (Vicky) Christian of Ironton; Grandsons, Brian (Chasity) Christian, Eric (Lindsey) Christian, both of Ironton; Sean (Stephanie) Hieronimus and Nathan (Mandy) Hieronimus, both of Kitts Hill; the loves of her life, her great grandchildren: Jordan Aidan Hieronimus, Kaylee and Addison Christian and Lola Sophia Hieronimus; two brothers, John Shields of Worthington, Kentucky and Larry Shields of Vermillion; and a sister, Sue Newman of Wheelersburg. She also has several nieces and nephews that she loved dearly.

Funeral services will be noon Friday at Phillips Funeral Home with the Rev. Mike Long officiating. Burial will follow in Sugar Creek Cemetery and visitation will be Friday from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home. Donations may be made to the Sugar Creek Christian Academy, 4824 State Route 141, Ironton, OH 45638. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.