Obituaries — 9/10/13

Published 9:37 am Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Carol Lawson

Carol Kay Lawson, 74, of Ironton, passed away Sunday, Sept. 8, 2013, at the Community Hospice Care Center in Ashland, Ky. The Lawrence County native was born Dec. 20, 1938, the daughter of the late Arthur “Red” and Stella Mae Harmon McKnight. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Gary B. Lawson.

Mrs. Lawson attended Dawson-Bryant High School and was a former school bus driver for the South Point and Dawson-Bryant school districts. She was a member of the Jeffersonville Missionary Baptist Church, was a majorette at Dawson-Bryant High School and a member of the Lawrence County Horseman Association. She loved going to horse shows, baking and gardening.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Gary “Hollywood” Lawson; two brothers, Arthur Jr. “Mouse” McKnight and John McKnight; and a sister, Norma Jean Harrison.

She is survived by two daughters, Brenda K. Ruff of Kenova, W.Va., and Shellie Sites Moore of Coal Grove; a son, Greg Lawson of Coal Grove; grandchildren, Jennifer Willis of Ironton, James Staley of South Point, Eric Lawson of Huntington, W.Va., Tracie Watts of Lavalette, W.Va., Caleb Lawson of South Point, Emilie Sites Wilson of Coal Grove, Jamieson Sparks of Lexington, Ky., and Andrew Lawson of Ironton; 14 great-grandchildren; a close friend, Myrtle Matney of Coal Grove; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Phillips Funeral Home with Pastor Rock Dearfield officiating. Burial will follow in Woodland Cemetery and visitation will be Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.

Mart Jenkins

Mart Raymond Jenkins, Jr. 85, of Kitts Hill, went to be with the Lord on Sept. 8, 2013. He was born July 31, 1928, at Kitts Hill, the son of the late Mart and Alice Faulkner Jenkins. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Theda Coburn Jenkins.

Mr. Jenkins was a 1946 graduate of Kitts Hill High School and a member of Gateway Baptist Church. He served in the U.S. Air Force and retired from the Dayton Malleable Iron Company.

He is survived by his wife, Avanelle Mart Jenkins, whom he married Feb. 18, 2000; three sons and daughters-in-law, Randy and LaFon Jenkins of McBain, Mich., Scott and Rhonda Jenkins, and Allen and Cheryl Jenkins all of Kitts Hill; two step-sons and one step daughter-in-law, George Long and Brian and Christy Long all of Pedro; eight grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Gateway Baptist Church with sons, Randy and Scott Jenkins officiating. Burial will follow in Mamre Cemetery with military graveside rites by the VFW Post 2761. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. at Phillips Funeral Home and the body will lie in state one hour prior to the services at the church on Wednesday. Donations may be made to the Gateway Baptist Church Mission Fund, 310 S. Sixth St., Ironton. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.

Frances Besco

Frances “Pete” Besco, 88, of Pedro, passed away Sunday, Sept. 8, 2013, at the St. Mary’s Medical Center in Huntington, W.Va. The Ironton native was born April 10, 1925, the daughter of the late Frank and Goldie Aldridge Kerns. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Dewey H. Besco, who passed away Oct. 20, 1955.

Mrs. Besco attended Decatur Washington Schools and was a homemaker. She loved spending time with her family and her dog Peighton and was of the Baptist faith.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Linda E. Miller; and a great-granddaughter; two great-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Dorman Kerns and Frank Kerns; and two sisters, Minnie Mae Arden and Vernon Mannon.

She is survived by daughter, Jennie R. Friend of Pedro; daughter, Janie L. Mason of Brookville; son and daughter-in-law, Quincy C. and Linda S. Besco of Ironton; three sisters and a brother-in-law, Gertrude Carmen of Pedro, Hazel Townsend of Willow Wood, and Sharon and Lloyd Mays of Kitts Hill; sister-in-law, Virginia Kerns of Pedro; 11 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; 15 great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday in Pine Grove Cemetery with the Rev. Bryon Carmon officiating. Donations may be made to the Lawrence County Humane Society, PO Box 412, Ironton, OH 45638. To offer condolences to the family, visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.

David Massie

David Massie, 64, of Ironton, died Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013, at the Community Hospice Care Center in Ashland, Ky. Arrangements are pending at Brown Funeral Chapel.