Dr. Karen LaRoe
Dec 13, 1944 – June 15, 2019

Dr. Karen LaRoe passed away on June 15, 2019. She was born on Dec 13, 1944, in her grandparent’s four-room farmhouse on Buck Creek, in Lawrence County. Karen grew up as the cherished child and valued farmhand of Hershell and Ann Roach, on their dairy farm just a half-mile down the road.
Widowed at 23, with two young children and a high school diploma, Karen went on to earn a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. After serving at the Ohio State University, Fitchburg State University, and Montana State University Northern, Karen was appointed president of the West Virginia University Institute of Technology, just 90 miles from her parent’s farm.
There, together with faculty, staff, and students, she led Tech to significant national recognition for academic rigor and value. She was a leader with a kind heart, an open and curious mind, enthusiastic optimism, and endless energy. Her guiding principle was, “A college is a place where we come together to debate one another’s ideas with love and respect.” May we all follow her lead.
Karen retired with her husband to homes in St. Regis, Montana and Venice, Florida, where they enjoyed the frequent visits of family and friends for many years.
Karen is survived by her children, Joseph West, Lee Ann West, and Steven LaRoe; her grandchildren, Amanda West and Joey West; her sister, Rena Snouffer; her brother, Keith Roach; an enormous extended family; and her husband, Lin Williams.
Services will be held at the Trinity Baptist Church, a church her family and friends built, near Aid, on June 29, at 2 p.m. Karen will be interred near her parents in the cemetery in Aid. Arrangements will be handled by the Phillips Funeral Home in Ironton, where visitation will occur from 5–7 p.m on June 28.
Karen would tell you that she lived a wonderful life. Her childhood was nurturing and rich in the Appalachian traditions of family and community. Her adult life was full with the love of her family, her many treasured friends, her travels around the world, and her amazing career.
Karen’s life passion was for the uplifting power of education. Her life story is the embodiment of that truth.
Send flowers. It would make her happy.

Betty Joseph
June 18, 2019

Betty Joseph, 89, of Coal Grove, went to be with the Lord on June 18, 2019, following a brief illness. Betty was born in Ironton, a daughter to the late Jason and Sadie (Delawder) Markin. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Lawrence; and son, Mark. She is survived by her daughter, Lauren.
Mrs. Joseph was a graduate of Ironton High School and was employed for 25 years as an administrative secretary for Dawson-Bryant Board of Education. Throughout her life, she enjoyed flower gardening, cooking and baking and spending time with her family. After she and her husband retired, they enjoyed traveling. She was of the Christian faith and attended Memorial United Methodist Church in Coal Grove.
In addition to her parents, husband and son, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Thurma Glanville, Faye Monnig, Elsie Stapleton and Roberta Swinford.
Other survivors include her nieces and nephews: Jane Pruitt, Jim Price, Jeff Glanville, Jay Glanville, Regina Monnig, Rick Swinford and their families.
Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Monday at Phillips Funeral Home, 1004 S. Seventh St., Ironton with Pastor Brad Jenkins officiating. Burial will follow in Woodland Cemetery. Visitation will be 11:30 a.m. Monday until the time of the service at the funeral home.
To offer the Joseph family memories and/or condolences, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.

Harry Eugene Easterling
Harry Eugene Easterling, 69, of Ashland, Kentucky, formerly of Ironton, died on Thursday, June 20, 2019.
Keeping with his wishes, he will be cremated. Memorial donations should be directed to the family or Brown Funeral Chapel to help with final expenses.
His family has entrusted his care to Brown Funeral Chapel.

Allen G. Kinard
Allen G. Kinard, 77, of Chesapeake, died Wednesday, June 19, 2019.
Funeral services will be held at noon on Monday at Schneider-Hall Funeral Home in Chesapeake. Brother Ezra Burton and Brother O.F Adkins will be officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service. Burial will follow at Kentucky Veteran’s Cemetery Northeast in Grayson, Kentucky. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Waylon Warriors.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at schneiderhallfuneralhome.com

Lloyd Keith Taylor
Lloyd Keith Taylor, 66, of Chesapeake, died Tuesday, June 18, 2019 at J. W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, Morgantown, West Virginia. He is survived by his wife, Trina Taylor.
Visitation will be 6–8 p.m. Tuesday at Hall Funeral Home and Crematory, Proctorville.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ehallfuneralhome.com.

Pee Wee Scarberry

Philip L. “Pee Wee” Scarberry, 77, of South Point, died Thursday, June 20, 2019 at Heartland of Riverview, South Point.
Visitation will be held 2–3 p.m. Saturday at Hall Funeral Home and Crematory, Proctorville. Burial will be in Union Hill Cemetery, Chesapeake.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ehallfuneralhome.com.