Obituaries — 9/22/14

Published 10:21 am Monday, September 22, 2014

Mary Waller

Mary Martha Toothman Waller, DVM, 70, of Deering, went home Saturday morning, Sept. 20, 2014, to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Mary trusted Christ as a girl, and was fully convinced of her salvation.

She was born to John and Marjorie Toothman, along with her twin brother, Tom, on July 31, 1944, in Ironton. She graduated from Ironton High School. She attended The Ohio State University, receiving a bachelor’s of science in agriculture. Mary went on to receive a second bachelor’s of science and a doctorate of veterinary medicine from Tuskegee University in 1970.

She began a solo, ambulatory, large animal practice and maintained a clinic at her residence for more than 25 years. She was then offered a position with Ohio University Southern as director of equine medicine, where she served for 15 years. She was responsible for teaching all scientific classes and she also maintained a large reproduction practice. Mary served as Lawrence County Fair veterinarian for 38 years. She was a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association for 45 years.

She bred, raised, trained and showed Quarter Horses her entire life, winning numerous national titles in barrels and poles. In August 2014, she was named among the “100 Faces of Ohio Women in Agriculture.” She made many trips over the years to Wyoming to ride in the Big Horn Mountains. She was happiest on horseback enjoying God’s creation.

Mary touched the lives of untold hundreds of people during her 45 years of service as a veterinarian. She blessed all those who were fortunate enough to call her a friend, and she will be missed beyond words. Mary is no longer present with us, but she is very much present with the Lord.

She was proceeded in death by her parents, John E. and Marjorie E. Toothman; her husband, John Franklin Waller; a brother, John Robert Toothman (sister-in-law Cathy Toothman); and a nephew, Robert Anton Toothman.

She is survived by her brother, Tom (Pat) Toothman, of Johnson City, Tenn.; one stepson, George Franklin (Cathy) Waller; two step-grandchildren, Leshia Waller and Tara Waller; cousins, Jane Lawless, Dale Maxey, Dick Maxey and Don Maxey; nieces, Anna Toothman and Annie Toothman Harmon; nephew, John Toothman; sisters-in-law, Mary (Mick) Adkins Horner, June Huff and Judy Blankenship; and brother-in-law, Jim Waller.

In lieu of flowers please make donations in Mary’s honor to First Methodist Church Food Pantry. Funeral services will be at noon on Wednesday at O’Keefe-Baker Funeral Home with Randy Patrick officiating. Burial will follow in Ice Creek Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Charles May

Charles May, 84, of Ironton, died Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014, at a local health care center. Arrangements are pending at Phillips Funeral Home.

Neva Brown

Neva Mae George Brown, 75, of Russell, Ky., died Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014, at King’s Daughters Medical Center in Ashland. Arrangements are pending at Bailey Family Funeral Home in Flatwoods.

Charles Nunley

Charles R. Nunley, 53, of Rush, Ky., died Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014, at King’s Daughters Medical Center, Ashland. Arrangements are pending at Slack and Wallace Funeral Home in South Point.