Geni Swartzwelder

Geni May Holmes Swartzwelder, 52, of South Point, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, Jan. 18, 2013, while at Community Hospice Care Center in Ashland, Ky., following an extended illness.

Geni was born March 9, 1960, in Ashland to the late Elva A. and Joan Johnson Holmes.

She was a 1978 graduate of Dawson-Bryant High School, where she later worked and volunteered. She worked in sales for Sam’s Club in South Point. She was a member of Jeffersonville Missionary Baptist Church and was a loving caregiver for several years to her late husband, after he was injured in a motorcycle accident.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Carl E. Swartzwelder; and a sister Vicki Holmes Artis.

Survivors include a daughter, Heather Swartzwelder Kimball and her husband Jon Kimball of South Point; four brothers, James and Rita Holmes of Middletown, Steve Holmes of Forestdale, Kevin and Pam Holmes of Forestdale, and Eric and Jami Holmes of Coal Grove; one grandchild, Silas Swartzwelder; several nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.

The family wishes to also say a special “thank you” to dedicated friends, who lovingly stayed by Geni’s side during her illness; Katy Ford, Louella Crabtree and Michelle Boothe and especially the nurses, staff, and Dr. Barker of Community Hospice Care Center in Ashland.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. by Pastor Jim Beals and Jim McGehee on Tuesday at Caniff Funeral Home in Westwood, Ky. Burial will follow in Highland Memorial Gardens in South Point. Friends may call Monday evening from 6 to 9 p.m. at Caniff Funeral Home in Ashland.

Online condolences may be left at canifffuneralhome.com.

 

William Bentley

William Hayward (Bill) Bentley, 84, of Ironton, husband of Mary Lou Miller Bentley, passed Friday, Jan. 18, 2013, at King’s Daughter Medical Center in Ashland, Ky. He was born Feb. 9, 1928, in Ironton, the son of the late Estel and Ester Sickerman Bentley.

Bill was a 1945 graduate of Ironton High School and a World War II Navy veteran. He retired with 40 plus years of service from the Ohio Bell Telephone Company. He was a devoted member of the former Immanuel United Methodist Church and current member of the First United Methodist Church in Ironton. He was a founding member of the Immanuel Methodist Men and leader of the Boy Scout Troop. Bill was also a member of the Masonic Lodge 0198 and a life member of the Telephone Pioneers. He was an avid woodworker and was a devoted family man who enjoyed his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Bill is survived by Mary Lou Miller Bentley, his wife of 64 years. They were married April 9, 1948. He is also survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Jane Ann and Jerry L. Watson of Ironton; son and daughter-in-law, Robert William and Jenny Bentley of Naples, Fla.; and son, Richard Frederick Bentley of Ironton. Survivors also include grandchildren Scott W. Watson of South Point, Shawn M. Watson of Ironton, Aaron M. and wife Michelle Watson of Ironton, Jeffrey W. and wife Kayla Bentley of Naples, Michael R. Bentley of Deerfield Beach, Fla., Mariah B. and husband Matthew M. Nierman of Columbus; great-grandchildren Brayson W. Bentley of Naples, and Ainsley M. Watson of Ironton. He is also survived by his sister, June Payne of Dayton; and a niece and two nephews. He was preceded in death by daughter-in-law Sharon K. Bentley.

Funeral services will be Tuesday at 1 p.m. at Phillips Funeral Home with Pastor Wayne Young officiating. Burial will follow in Woodland Cemetery. Friends may call after 11 a.m. until time of the service. Donations may be made to First United Methodist Food Pantry, 101 N. Fifth Street, Ironton. To offer condolences to the family please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net

 

Jessie Shore

Jessie F. Shore, 97, wife of the late Edgar E. Shore, Jr., of Ironton, passed away on Dec. 18, 2012, at the Woodland Oaks Health Facility in Ashland, Ky. Jessie started working when she was 15 years old at Shelby Shoe Factory in Ironton.

She worked at many places in Ohio throughout her life, such as Henrites Metal Company, Holiday Inn Kitchen, Don Keys Restaurant, prior to making her career in nursing facilities. She worked at Malones and Jo-Lin nursing homes, where she worked as a cook. She retired from Jo-Lin Nursing Home after 19 1/2 years at the age of 76 1/2.

After her retirement, she spent time in California visiting three of her children. She grew up in Coal Grove, attending Zoar Baptist Church. She later joined Belmont Missionary Baptist Church in Ashland, Ky., where two of her daughters were attending with their families. Jessie graduated from old Coal Grove High School in 1932.

Jessie is survived by seven children, Mary (Darrell Sr.) Hall of Ashland, Linda L. Shore of Ironton, Carol ( Frank Sr.) Ceballos of North Hollywood, Calif., Clara Jean (Charles Sr.) Payne of Ironton, Edgar E. (Arlene) Shore III of Ironton, Margaret Ann (Charles II) Robinette of Flatwoods, Ky., and Vicki Griffith (Russell) Carson of Leesburg, Ind.; 18 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

In addition to her parents and husband, Jessie was preceded in death by three children, Lillie Faye Shore, Jackie Reed Shore and Edward Lee Shore; four brothers, Raymond Griffith, Joseph Griffith, Howard Griffith and Wayne Griffith; and two sisters, Leona B. Willis and Mary Layne.

Online condolences may be given to the Shore family by visiting www.tracybrammerfh.com

 

Jewell Watts

Jewell Maxine Conley Watts, 85, of Flatwoods, Ky., died Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013, at Oakmont Manor in Flatwooods. Visitation will be noon Monday at the Bailey Family Funeral Home which will precede the memorial service at 1 p.m., officiated by Minister Jon Stidham. Arrangements are trusted to Bailey Family Funeral Home. To order flowers and offer condolences to the Watts family, please visit www.baileyfamilyfuneralhome.com.