Louella Applegate, 79

Louella Applegate, 79, of McDermott, passed on to be with the Lord on Saturday, January 24, 2015, at home. Her bout with cancer was one fought in faith in GOD's ability to heal, that resulted in perfect healing and joining loved ones in paradise. She was born on May 23, 1935, in Floyd County, Kentucky, the eldest daughter of Ernest and Alka Whitaker, both deceased. She was also preceded in death by three brothers, Billy Gene Whitaker, Burl Douglas Whitaker, and Richard Franklin Whitaker; and one sister, Eleanor Irene Whitaker.

Surviving are her husband, James Alonzo Applegate; two daughters, Kimberly Anne (James) Hoyme of McDermott and Karen Elaine (Brent) McGinnis of Portsmouth; her son, James Alonzo [Teresita (Tejie)] Applegate, Jr. of Wheelersburg; one sister, Linda Elaine (John) Klosowski of Danville, KY; two brothers, Charles (Garnet) Whitaker and Bobby Dean Whitaker, both of McDermott; three grandsons, Mark Anthony Applegate, Brandon Michael Hoyme, and James Travis Hoyme; four grand-daughters, Amber Michelle Conn, Hannah Danielle Crouch, Crystal Lynn Newman, and Courtney Elaine Little; four great grandsons; five grand-daughters; and a number of cousins.

GOD the Holy Spirit spoke to Louella at the very young, tender age of five and she surrendered her life to HIM. All of her life she spoke and sang of Jesus and being with HIM in HEAVEN, thankful for Jesus' sacrifice for her at Calvary. She spent a number of her early years singing in local churches and church events with Earl Adams of McDermott and later as a church song leader. Her favorite singing partners were her daughters that joined hands with her over the last several months to sing some of their favorites, songs like Sweeter Gets the Journey. She enjoyed a career in real estate that spanned 20 years, from 1977 to 1997. Louella treasured time with family. Doted upon them with Sunday meals or anytime they might decide to show up at her home. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were an absolute joy to her soul. She loved her church family at Beech Fork Church in Otway, loved her pastor Debby Baer, and immensely enjoyed their senior trips together. She treasured her time with cousin Donna Jean Allen, their times at quartet conventions and short trips. The love of her life was her husband, Jim, whom she passionately adored. Louella will be greatly missed by friends and family. But she now enjoys the promise of GOD to anyone that would confess Jesus is the Son of GOD, that GOD raised Jesus from the dead, confess their sins, and trust HIM for forgiveness of all sin.

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Thursday January 29, 2015 at Beech Fork Church in Otway with Debbie Baer officiating and interment in Scioto Burial Park. Friends may call at the Roger W. Davis Funeral Home in West Portsmouth from 5 to 8:00 PM on Wednesday and one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Condolences may be sent to www.rogerwdavisfuneralhome.com