Donald Boyer

July 8, 1934 — Aug. 19, 2018

It is with great sadness and fond memories that we announce that Donald Blaine Boyer went to join his lovely wife, Suzanne, and meet his Lord and Savior on Sunday, Aug. 19, 2018.
Donald Blaine Boyer was born on July 8, 1934, in Ironton at the Lawrence County General Hospital. Don graduated from Ironton High School in 1952, and earned a dual scholarship to play football and baseball at Eastern Kentucky University. He studied at Eastern from 1952-1956 while he earned his degree in Industrial Arts. He was a four-year letterman in both sports. As a freshman, Don joined the United States Marine Corps Platoon Leaders Class Program, which allowed him to be commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant upon graduation and two summers spent in Officers’ Candidate School. In the summer between graduation and the time he accepted his commission in the USMC, he was drafted to play baseball with the Cincinnati Reds organization. During that summer, he played 125 games as a catcher in games up to the AAA level. In the fall of 1956, he reported to Quantico, Virginia and was able to continue playing the game he loved so much for the USMC.
Don spent most of his career working in real estate development, and was actively involved in the leadership of the churches he attended. He was also an active volunteer for many years as a coach, mentor, official and many other roles.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George Henry and Edna Akers Boyer; his lovely wife of 60 years, Suzanne Tennant Boyer; and many other loving family members.
Surviving family members include his three children, Seth, Eric (Dawn) and Kara (David) Flanders; grandchildren, Suzann (Ken) Laws, Corey Boyer, Kaitlyn (Dylon) Ligon, Kelsey Boyer, Wyatt Boyer, Cassie Flanders, Collin Flanders and Alison Flanders; and great-grandchild, Jack Smith. He is also survived by his sister, Myra (Fred) Diamond; and sister-in-law, Karen (Steve) Renner. Don also leaves behind many other beloved family and friends.
There will be a memorial service at 3 p.m. Thursday at Christ Way Christian Church, Aiken, South Carolina, with Mike Terry, Jerry Thompson and the Rev. Ken McDonald officiating. Following the service, the family will host a Celebration of Life at the Cumberland Village Clubhouse, beginning at 4:30 p.m. The family will receive those not attending the Celebration of Life at the church following the service. Memorials can be sent to Christ Central or to the mission program at Christ Way Christian Church. Expressions of sympathy for the Boyer family may be left by visiting www.georgefuneralhomes.com.

 

David Pennington

March 1, 1944 — Aug. 30, 2018

David Jay Pennington, 74, of Hickory, North Carolina, passed away Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018, at Brian Center of Hickory. He was born March 1, 1944, in Lawrence County to the late Earl and Goldie Smith Pennington.
David retired as a union steward in the construction industry. He enjoyed vacationing, casinos and playing poker. David could repair and/or build anything.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by Earl Pennington, Fredrick Pennington, Roy Pennington, Ray Pennington and Clarence William Pennington.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 55 years, Anita Wood Pennington, of the home; son, David K. Pennington and wife, Lisa, of Hickory, North Carolina; daughters, Kimberly D. Pennington, of Hickory, North Carolina, and Monica Martin, of Hickory, North Carolina; brother, Donald Pennington, of Ironton; grandchildren, David Cody Pennington and Anna Allen Pennington; and great-grandchildren, Jonah, Samuel, Sean, Kayden, Kaiti and Natalia. Also surviving are numerous nieces, nephews and special friends.
The family will have a private memorial service at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Catawba Regional Hospice, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, NC 28658. Condolences may be sent to the Pennington family at www.bennettfuneralservice.com. The Pennington family is in the care of Bennett Funeral Service of Conover.

 

Rebecca Downer

July 16, 1960 — Aug. 24, 2018

Rebecca Downer, aka Florence Juanita, 58, of Kitts Hill, passed away on Friday, Aug. 24, 2018, at 6:45 a.m. at her sister’s residence.
She is survived by a sister, Hope Sheets Mays; a brother, Henry Sheets; 10 children, Rebekah, Paul, Stephen, Elizabeth, Jacob, Leah, Hannah, David, Rachel and John; and many grandchildren.
Rebecca donated her body to the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine at Ohio University in Athens.
A celebration of her life will take place at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14 at the Church of the Harvest in Burlington. At 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, family and friends will join at Lake Vesuvius.

 

Shane Collingsworth

May 9, 1987 — Aug. 30, 2018

Shane “Bart” Allen Collingsworth, 31, of Pedro, passed away Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018. The Lawrence County native was born May 9, 1987, the son of the late Thomas Emmett Collingsworth and Rebecca (Bill Jones) Collingsworth.
Shane was a 2005 graduate of Rock Hill schools.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Phillips Funeral Home, Ironton, with pastor Ed Helms officiating. Burial will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery, and visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.

 

Samantha Stormes

Samantha L. Stormes, 24, of Ironton, passed away Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018, at Cabell Huntington Hospital, Huntington, West Virginia.
Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at Ohio Furnace Enterprise Baptist Church, Ironton. Visitation will be 11 a.m. until the time of the service Tuesday at the church. Phillips Funeral Home, Ironton, is assisting the family with arrangements. To view the full obituary, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.

 

Margaret Curtis

Margaret Curtis, 90, of Chesapeake, died Friday, Aug. 31, 2018. Arrangements are pending at Schneider-Hall Funeral Home, Chesapeake. www.schneiderhallfuneralhome.com.

 

Frankie Joseph

Frankie Joseph, 77, of South Haven, Mississippi, formerly of Ohio, died Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018. Arrangements are pending at Hall Funeral Home and Crematory, Proctorville. www.ehallfuneralhome.com.

 

Ruth Nelson

Ruth Nelson, 82, of Crystal Care, Franklin Furnace, died Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018. Arrangements are pending at Brown Funeral Chapel, Ironton. www.brownfuneralchapel.org.