Cynthia Brown

Oct. 19, 1955 — March 5, 2019

Cynthia Jane (Laber) Brown, 63, of Ironton, passed away Tuesday, March 5, 2019, at Community Hospice in Ashland, Kentucky, after an extended illness. She was born in Ironton on Oct. 19, 1955, to loving parents, James F. and Mary K. (Heighton) Laber. She was the beloved wife of Charles David Brown, of Ironton, whom she married on Aug. 27, 1977.
Cindy graduated from St. Joseph Central Catholic High School in 1973, and then St. Mary’s School of Nursing. She later earned her BSN from Ohio University. She was proud to be a nurse for over 30 years. During her career, she worked at the Lawrence County Health Department and Pediatrics Incorporated. She was a school nurse at Ironton City Schools and Ironton Catholic Schools and assistant director of clinical services at the Lawrence County Community Action Organization.
Cindy loved helping the children in our community, particularly those with special needs. She was fiercely committed to the establishment of the accessible playground at the Open Door School in Ironton. She is a member and past president of the Child Welfare Club.
Cindy’s life centered around a loving commitment to her family, particularly her grandchildren, who affectionately referred to her as “Grammy.” Her kindness, empathy and determination live through them. Her children will never forget her unwavering support and inspirational spirit. She truly loved helping others.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Frank and Myrta (Steele) Laber and Pete and Ruth (Runyon) Heighton.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by her parents, James and Mary (Heighton) Laber, of Ironton; her brothers, Frank (MaryAnne) Laber, of Ironton, and Jim (Lupita) Laber, of Fort Thomas, Kentucky; her children, Erin Sergeant (Christopher), of Davidson, North Carolina, Andrew Brown (Mandy Carte), of Ironton, and Alex Brown, of Ashland, Kentucky; grandchildren, Oscar Sergeant, Henry Sergeant, George Sergeant, Corbin Carte, Felix Brown and Caroline Brown; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation with the family will be 5-7 p.m. Friday at Phillips Funeral Home, Ironton. Funeral Mass will be 1 p.m. Saturday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Ironton, by Father David H. Huffman. Burial will immediately follow thereafter at Calvary Cemetery. Cindy’s family extends their most sincere gratitude and admiration to the staff of Community Hospice in Ashland for their genuine, compassionate support through this difficult time.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Open Door School, 604 Carton Davidson Lane, Coal Grove, OH 45638, or to the Lawrence County CAO, 305 N. Fifth St., Ironton, OH 45638. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.

 

Billie Gibson

July 2, 1926 — March 6, 2019

Billie “Bill” Gibson, 92, of South Point, passed away Wednesday, March 6, 2019, at his home surrounded by his family. Bill was born July 2, 1926, in Lawrence County, son of the late Miller and Blanche Freeman Gibson.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his first wife, Asenith Morris Gibson; one son, Carl David Gibson; one stepson, Jeffery Christian; three sisters, Helena Gibson, Gladys Keeney and Olive Brammer; and four brothers, Harold Gibson, Frank Gibson, Howard Gibson and Carl Gibson.
Bill was an Army veteran, having served in World War II. He retired from the County Garage in Ironton and loved to fish. He was a member of Ice Creek Missionary Baptist Church for many years and loved his family, church family and his dog, Babydoll. Bill never met a stranger and will be missed by everyone who knew him.
He is survived by his loving wife, Kay Gibson; three children, Billie E. (Kathy) Gibson, of Knoxville, Tennessee, Terresa Gay Gibson, of Columbus, and Sharon Kay Gibson (Leroy) Seagraves, of Ashland, Kentucky; three stepchildren, Glen Allen (Heather) Christian, of Ashland, Kentucky, Mike (Cheri) Christian, of Barboursville, West Virginia, and Brenda (Rusty) Wells, of South Shore, Kentucky; one sister, Betty Gibson Knipp, of Franklin Furnace; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Monday at Ice Creek Missionary Baptist Church, Ironton, with pastor Todd Warner officiating. Burial will follow at Ice Creek Cemetery, Ironton. Visitation will be noon-2 p.m., two hours prior to the service, Monday at the church. Slack and Wallace Funeral Home, South Point, is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.slackandwallace.com.

 

Fern Martin

March 17, 1937 — March 8, 2019

Fern Martin, 81, of Coal Grove, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, March 8, 2019. The Lawrence County native was born March 17, 1937, the daughter of the late Edward and Bessie Harmon Large. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Donald Martin.
Fern attended Dawson-Bryant Schools in Coal Grove and attended God’s Holiness Mission Church in Ironton.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Anna Steed and Isabelle King; and two brothers, Ralph Large and Harold Large.
She is survived by a son, Rick Martin, of Coal Grove; a daughter, Connie Hinds, of Ironton; a brother, Donald Large, of Ironton; three grandchildren, Austen Martin, Christina Cox and Johnny Hinds; four great-grandchildren; and special friend, Michele Clay.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Sunday at Phillips Funeral Home, Ironton, with a close friend officiating. Visitation will be 11 a.m. until the time of the service Sunday at the funeral home. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.

 

Frances Abrams

Frances M. Patrick Abrams, 84, of South Point, died Friday, March 8, 2019, at Community Hospice Care Center, Ashland, Kentucky. Arrangements are pending at Tracy Brammer-Monroe Funeral Home, Ironton. www.tracybrammerfh.com.

 

Nancy Stamper

Nancy Sue Stamper, 75, of Ironton, died Wednesday, March 6, 2019. Arrangements are pending at Slack and Wallace Funeral Home, South Point. www.slackandwallace.com.