Faye Kitts

March 2, 1953 — April 30, 2017

Faye Louise Kitts, 64, devoted mother, wife, MeMe, sister, teacher, friend and lifelong hater of Michigan football, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, April 30, 2017, in the arms of her family.
A native of Ironton and resident of Abilene, Texas since 1984, Faye married her sweetheart, Mick Kitts, in 1971. She leaves her incredibly large and loving family, so buckle up this is going to be a long one.
She is survived by her suspiciously well-behaved sons, Chris and Kelly (Trott) Kitts, of Granbury, Texas, and Carey and Sheila (Breeden) Kitts, of Abilene, Texas; as well as the greatest joys of her life, granddaughters, ‘Princess’ Kelci and Kadi ‘bug’ Kitts; and grandsons, Jackson, Carter and Wilson Kitts, better known as Huey, Duey and Louie.
She is preceded in death by parents, William ‘Papaw’ and Pat ‘Mamaw’ Layne; and brother, Billy Ray Layne, of Ironton.
She is also survived by siblings, Vicki (Bill) Layne Mascari, of Upper Arlington, Mike (the late Debbie Brubaker) Layne, of Columbus, Suzie Layne Keller (the late David Keller), of Franklin Furnace, Tom Layne, of Ironton, and Eric Layne (Kristi Rose Layne), of Brookeville, Maryland; and gaggle of beloved nieces and nephews, including Lisa Justice (Mike, Nathan), David Mascari (Sophia, Roman), Aaron Layne (Marcy, Caden, Annabella), Hilary Keller (Tomie Neal), Hayley Keller Grant (Ruairi Grant), Rose Layne Lewis (Chuck, Landon, Caleb, Peyton), and Brad and Adam Layne.
Faye maintained her youth, creativity and free spirit by dedicating her life’s work to teaching preschool for 27 years. Some might say she had the heart of a preschooler, as she was blind to all handicap, race, religion or circumstance, and focused on learning, laughing and loving each other as we are. She also taught her students the very important lesson of loving THE Ohio State University football, even teaching them to spell ‘Go Bucks!’ using red solo cups on the playground fence. It was genius and amazing lessons such as this that inspired the Abilene Independent School District to award her Teacher of the Year in 2003.
Unfortunately, she was unable to make the ceremony, so she decided to wear her niece’s prom dress to school to make up for the occasion. Beyond her family, teaching children was one of the great loves of her life, and she cherished her coworkers at both Woodson and Locust Early Childhood Center.
It is an understatement to say that Faye marched to the beat of her own drum. She was a brilliant spark that lit her own path for herself and for her family. She and Mick traveled 1,200 miles away from home to build a life of their own without the safety net of family, and did so with endless perseverance and dedication. She was first in her family to get a college degree and faced every challenge, setback and disadvantage with defiant, bull-headed courage, an unbreakable spirit and the best one-liners you’ve ever heard. Most of all, her family loved all of the ways she went above and beyond; in her humor, in her keen ability to avoid cooking for 64 years, in her boundless love given to family, friends and students, and especially, in her hatred for that team up North.
Faye’s spirit has always been too big for just one body and will continue to live on through her army of loving friends and family.
A funeral service will be 2 p.m. Saturday at the Trinity Baptist Church located at 871 Woodlawn Drive, Abilene, Texas. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Abilene Education Foundation in her name, at www.aaeeff.org/donation.

Jennifer Cron Fannin

Jennifer Denise Cron Fannin, 54, of Ironton, died Monday, May 1, 2017, at the SOMC Hospice in Portsmouth.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday at Phillips Funeral Home, Ironton, with pastor Scott Jenkins officiating. Burial will follow in Aid Cemetery and visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.

Charles Riley

Charles Riley, 62, of Ironton, died Tuesday, May 2, 2017, at St. Mary’s Medical Center-Ironton Campus.
There will be no services scheduled. Tracy Brammer-Monroe Funeral Home, Ironton, is assisting the family with arrangements. To offer online condolences to the Riley family, please visit www.tracybrammerfh.com.