Obituaries

Nov 27, 2025

Lavanda Mae Ricks, 92

Lavanda Mae Ricks, 92 of Portsmouth, died Thursday, November 27, 2025 at SOMC Hospice. She was born August 3, 1933 in Portsmouth, to the late Charles and Lena Mae Smith Boyd.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Norman Richard Ricks Sr., whom she married on...

Nov 25, 2025

Emilee Jo Ratcliff

Emilee Jo Ratcliff, infant daughter of Tori and Brent Joseph Ratcliff, passed away Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at Southern Ohio Medical Center.

Along with her parents Emilee is survived by 2 sisters; Hallie-Jane and Sadie Ratcliff, grandparents; Anthony and Felicia Boyd, Tony Carr, Lene Hall, great grandparents Melinda Price, Phyllis Carr, Bob...

Nov 19, 2025

Virgil Lee Johnson, 87

Virgil Lee Johnson, 87 of McDermott, died Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at Southern Ohio Medical Center. He was born June 23, 1938 in Scioto County to the late Frank and Francis Worstell Johnson.

Virgil was a United States Army veteran serving during the Cuban Missle Crisis. He worked at the Steele...

Nov 16, 2025

Gloria Jean Fowler, 76

Gloria Jean Fowler, 76 of Portsmouth, died Sunday, November 16, 2025 at Southern Ohio Medical Center. She was born April 1, 1949 in Portsmouth to the late Homer Lawrence "Mick" and Helena Ealey Swords.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by 3 brothers; Kevin, Donald and Homer "Buck"...

Nov 14, 2025

Ronald Howard Davis, 82

Ronald (Ron) Howard Davis, age 82, of Lucasville, Ohio, passed away on November 14, 2025 at SOMC Hospice Center.

He was born on June 27, 1943 in Carter County, Kentucky to Howard and Mary Lee Davis. He graduated from Portsmouth West in 1962. Ron worked 40 years and retired as a...

Nov 11, 2025

Delores Mae Fields Shupert, 86

Delores Mae Fields Shupert, 86, of Portsmouth, passed away surrounded by her family. She was born November 21, 1938, in Portsmouth to the late Meredith Benton Fields and Mary Alice Barker Fields.

Along with her parents, Delores was preceded in death by her husband, John W. "Jack" Shupert; a daughter,...

Nov 10, 2025

Bill O. Dunham, 95

Bill O. Dunham, 95, of West Portsmouth, died Monday, November 10, 2025, at his home. He was born June 13, 1930, in Portsmouth to the late Harry and Elva (Fullwiler) Dunham.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Alice (Bower) Dunham, whom he married on...

Nov 8, 2025

Walter Agustus Partlow Jr., 87

Walter Agustus "Pete" Partlow Jr., died Saturday, November 8, 2025 at SOMC Hospice. He was born May 8, 1938 in Portsmouth to the late Walter Agustus and Martha Lenore Greer Partlow.

Along with his parents he is preceded in death by a brother, Thomas Edward "Tom" Partlow and a sister...

Nov 5, 2025

Mary Margaret Blevins, 83

Mary Margaret Blevins, 83 of Portsmouth, died Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at her home. She was born September 7, 1942 in Portsmouth to the late Amen and Marie Sparks Howard.

Along with her parents she is preceded in death by her husband of 60 years Charles Sterling Blevins, a son Charles...

Nov 4, 2025

Paula Kay Hatfield, 61, of Portsmouth, passed away Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at SOMC Hospice. She was born November 9, 1963, in Portsmouth to the late Leroy and Bonnie (O'Dell) Craft. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Renee Sprague, and her longtime companion, Rick James.

Paula was a devoted homemaker who...

Nov 2, 2025

Walter Darrell Brinegar, 82

Walter Darrel Brinegar, 82 of West Portsmouth, died Sunday, November 2, 2025 at his home. He was born April 17, 1943 to the late Walter and Bertha Brinegar.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by a son Kevin Brinegar.

He was a United States Army veteran....

Oct 14, 2025

Rikki Aaliyah Guilkey, 29

Rikki Aaliyah Guilkey, 29, made a grand entrance into the world on January 1, 1996, in Portsmouth—becoming Scioto County's New Year's baby of the year and giving Dr. Petit and his midwives well-deserved bragging rights.

She was the beloved daughter of Jason Guilkey and Stacy (Coleman) Couch, both residents of Scioto...

Oct 6, 2025

Dorothy Sue "Dottie" Stringfield, 62

Dorothy Sue "Dottie" Stringfield, 62 of Portsmouth, died Monday October 6, 2025 at her home. She was born December 24, 1962 in Sevierville, Tennessee to the late Edward and Jestine Cogdill Greene.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by 3 brothers; Paul, Lester and Danny Greene. Dottie...

Oct 3, 2025

Judith Ann (Tackett) Phipps

Judith Ann (Tackett) Phipps, 84, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 3rd, 2025, at her home in Mt. Perry, Ohio, surrounded by her loving family. Judy was born, November 10th, 1940, to the late Frank and Jimsy (Conley) Tackett of Lucasville, Ohio, where she was raised. Along with her parents, Judy was preceded...

Sep 30, 2025

R. Eugene O. Collins, 93

Our beloved father and papaw, R. Eugene O. Collins, at the age of 93 was chosen by God to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. We weren't ready to lose him but rejoice that he is walking in a much better place. Under the care of SOMC...

Sep 25, 2025

Richard L. Phillips 88

Richard L. Phillips, 88 of McDermott, took his eternal flight to be with the Lord on Thursday, September 25, 2025. He was born on February 23, 1937, in Portsmouth to the late Charles and Meleese Knauff Phillips of West Portsmouth.

Along with his parents he is preceded in death by his...

Sep 22, 2025

Bobby Nelson Sparks, 76

Bobby Nelson Sparks, 76 of West Portsmouth, passed away Monday, September 22, 2025 at Bridgeport Nursing Home. He was born April 9, 1949 in Ashcamp, Kentucky, to the late Charles and Mildred Diamond Sparks.

Along with his parents he is preceded in death by 3 brothers; Dock, Donald and Hank Sparks...

Sep 19, 2025

Deborah Scaff Rice, 64

Deborah Scaff Rice, 64 from McDermott passed away peacefully on Thursday September the 19th at home.

Debbie was a devoted Christian, mother, grandmother, wife and great grandmother. Debbie always stood strong in her faith and never wavered from God. Debbie was preceded in death by her Mother, Father, sister and both...

Sep 16, 2025

Gregory S. Denning, 62

Gregory S. Denning, 62 of West Portsmouth, passed away peacefully on September 16, 2025 in Portsmouth, Ohio with loved one Cathy by his side. He was born January 8, 1963 in Portsmouth, to the late Woodrow Blevins and Juanita Denning who survives.

Greg was known for his big heart, being a...

Sep 6, 2025

Harry W. Ketter, 89

Harry W. Ketter, 89, of West Portsmouth, passed away September 6, 2025, at SOMC Hospice, surrounded by his family. He was born May 28, 1936, in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, to the late Harry W. Ketter and Florine (Birchfield) Grumme.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by the...