Obituaries — 1/12/14

Published 12:46 am Sunday, January 12, 2014

Charmie Brooks

Charmie Brooks, 98, of Ironton, passed away Friday, Jan. 10, 2014, in Ironton. She was the widow of Robert H. Brooks.

Charmie lived up to her name through the good times and bad times. Loved by everyone who knew her, “Corky” was never known to complain or say anything bad about others. She loved people, was always happy, positive and kind. She was also the life of the party. Even in her 90s, she was the youngest person in the room and on the dance floor. She loved to travel, and took numerous trips with the Eagles to Myrtle Beach where she was known for her great margaritas. She visited her son, Bob, in California many times, traveled to Mexico and Hawaii and on two occasions traveled to Europe; once with her son, Bob, on a five-week road trip to Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales, France and Switzerland.

Her grandson, Rigel, and her ex-daughter-in-law, Olga Vásquez, joined them for part of the trip. On a later occasion, she accompanied Olga to Denmark and Sweden. But, most of all, she cherished her sons, Bob and Rick, and her grandson, Rigel. She was especially close to Rick, with whom she shared a home in Ironton for many years.

Charmie Cordelia Cowan was born in Smith County, Va., on Feb. 24, 1915, to George and Gracie Cowan. Her mother died when she was 5, and her stepmother, Alma, raised her and her brother, Earl. She graduated from Salem High School in 1932, but missed the ceremonies due to an appendectomy. She enrolled in nursing school at Jefferson Hospital and after graduation worked at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Md. In June 1939, she married Robert H. Brooks of Roanoke, Va., and moved to Ironton on Sept. 1.

In Ironton, she was employed at Lawrence County General Hospital where she worked in many areas of the hospital including the OB-GYN ward, the emergency room and the operating room. Later she worked as a nurse for Dr. Newton Spears and as the Lawrence County TB nurse. Then she worked 20 years as a caseworker and supervisor with the county welfare department. When she retired from the welfare department, she worked for Jo-Linn’s Nursing Home until 1999, retiring two months short of her 85th birthday.

Throughout her life Charmie always found time to spend with sick and dying friends and do volunteer work. She worked with the 648 Mental Health Board, the bloodmobile and children’s services, and in 1983 she was named the Citizen of the Year by the Community Betterment Club and was recognized by the Ohio Senate and the U.S. Congress for her service.

She is survived by her sons, Bob and Rick; her grandson, Rigel; her great-granddaughter, Xochi; her nephews, George and Earl Cowan; and her nieces Beatrice Skelley and Charmee Beauclaire. Her extended family includes Olga Vásquez and the families of Edna Brown and Tammy Skaggs, her longtime caregivers.

Funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Tracy Brammer-Monroe Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Woodland Cemetery. Friends may call the funeral home from 6 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday.

James Wicker

James Melvin “Pudge” Wicker Sr. 74, of Pedro, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014, at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Ironton.

James was born on June 10, 1939, in Buchanan, Ky., a son of the late Kinell and Mirlie Jordan Wicker. He was a retired carpenter with 25-plus years of service with Carpenters Local Union 437 of Portsmouth, a member of Little Ettie Old Regular Baptist Church in Beaver, a member of Carpenters Local 437, was an ordained deacon and a wonderful loving husband, dad and papaw. His parents; a sister, Gracie Adams; and three infant brothers preceded James in death. Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Johnda Lee McCreadie Wicker; son James Melvin (Susie) Wicker Jr., of Morehead, Ky.; three daughters, Lavonda (Mitch) Bobo, of Grove City; Carolyn (Jerry) Barker, of Circleville; and Patricia (Tim) Shivley, of Pedro; 10 grandchildren, Dustin and Amber Bobo, Jerry Jr. and Rachel Barker, Tim Jr. and Heather Shivley, Jesse, Jeremiah, James Alan and Emily Wicker; eight great-grandchildren, Gracelin, Garrett and Gabriella Bobo, Aubrey and Keira Beaver, Joseph Brice, Jake Howard and Isabella Rose Lyons; and a step granddaughter, Heather Blair Howard; three brothers, Julius Wicker, of Pedro; George and Grady Wicker, both of Ironton; and a sister, Dorothy Hanshaw, of Willow Wood.

Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. today at the Old Ettie Old Regular Baptist Church in Beaver, with Brothers Jimmy Dye, Teddy Honaker and Greg Sowards officiating. Burial will follow in the Wicker Family Cemetery in Pedro. Mr. Wicker will lie in state one hour before funeral time at the church. Those acting as pallbearers are Jim Wicker Jr., Bruce Casey, Bill Reynolds, Shane Hanshaw, Terry and Jack Marshall, and Jay Wicker. Arrangements have been entrusted to Lazear Funeral Home in Ashland, Ky.

J. John Keeney

J. John Keeney, 78, of Chesapeake, died Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014, in Heartland of Riverview in South Point. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Monday at Schneider-Griffin Funeral Home with pastor Carter Henson officiating. Burial will follow in Leatherwood Cemetery.

Visitation will be noon to 1 p.m. Monday at Schneider-Griffin Funeral Home in Chesapeake. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.schneidergriffin.com.

Barbara Tackett

Barbara Lavon Boyd McCarty-Tackett, 73, of Flatwoods, Ky., died at home on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday at Carman Funeral Home in Flatwoods with words of comfort delivered by pastor Jim Nichols. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Burial Park in Ashland. Visitation will be 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.carmanfuneral.com.

Gregory Tarpley

Gregory Joseph Tarpley, 33, of Huntington, W.Va., died Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014, at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Huntington. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Monday at Hall Funeral Home in Proctorville. Burial will follow in Spring Hill Cemetery in Huntington. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. today at Hall Funeral Home. Condolences may be expressed at www.timeformemory.com/hall.

Emerson Browning

Emerson “Bub” Browning, 79, of Florence, Ky., formerly of Ironton, died Dec. 21, 2013, at his home surrounded by his family. His brother, Carl Browning, preceded him in death. He was the superintendent of City of Ironton Street Department, AFSCME Local No. 771 Union president and member of Ironton Tabernacle Church. Survivors include his daughter, Katie (Bill) Niece, of Florence, Ky.; and grandchildren Michael, Chelsea, Paulina and Billy. No visitation or service planned at this time. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the American Cancer Society.

Julia Bargery

Julia Mae “Judy” Bargery, 74, of South Point, died Friday, Jan. 10, 2014, at the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House, Huntington, W.Va. Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Monday Hall Funeral Home in Proctorville. Burial will follow in Locust Grove Cemetery in Willow Wood. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.timeformemory.com/hall.

Ruth Scott

Ruth Scott, 55, of Greenup. County, Ky., died Friday, Jan. 10, 2014, at Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital in Russell, Ky. Carman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, which are pending.

David Lackey

David Lackey, 74, of Ironton, died Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2014, at his residence. The family is being asked to contact Phillips Funeral Home in Ironton at 740-532-2144.