LEONA BAYS

Published 12:00 am Friday, April 17, 2009

Leona Violet Bays, 88, of Ironton, passed away at her home Wednesday, April 15, 2009. She was born Aug. 6, 1920, in Morrow County, a daughter of the late William Eli and Minnie Lynchfield Edwards. She formerly worked for Shawnee State University as a custodian, retiring in 1988. She was a member of the Pine Grove Freewill Baptist Church for 45 years. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William Robie Bays; a daughter, Rose Mary Johnson; an infant son; a brother, Forrest Edwards; a sister, Bonnie Graybel; and a granddaughter, Patty Spitz.
She is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law, Alton Dale and Delores Schuster of Oklahoma City, Okla. Donald and Doris Jean Bays and John G. and Karen Bays, all of Ironton; three daughters and sons-in-law, Sheila and Donald Howard of Franklin Furnace, Sharon Faye and the Rev. Jerry Keith Bruce of Ironton; and Karen Kay and Rev. Bob Jones of Franklin Furnace. Also surviving are 21 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Larry Edwards of Phoenix, Ariz., and Carnie Edwards of Marion.
Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Tracy Brammer Funeral Home with the Rev. Kenny Klaiber officiating. Internment will follow in Haverhill Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home from 6-9 p.m. Saturday.