Obituaries
Lillian Rose Ware Channell, aged 92, of Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan, was welcomed into the arms of her Lord and Savior on September 7, 2023.Rose was born December 6, 1930 in Bemis, West Virginia, the youngest of the eight children of Asa Parker Ware and Ida Jane Smith Ware. At the time, Bemis was a small coal mining town that could only be accessed by train. After Rose was born, the family moved to Elkwater, WV. She attended a two-room schoolhouse through the 8th grade, and in 1948 graduated at the top of her class from Tygarts Valley High School.
She was a child of the Great Depression, when many jobless men rode the rails in search of work and food. Her mother would find tasks around the farm for them and then provide them with a hot meal. Her example taught young Rose about hospitality, generosity and compassion. There was always room at their table.
As her parents’ youngest child and seventh girl, Rose was affectionately called “Wild Rose” by her doting father. She often said her father taught her about unconditional love, “because he loved me, no matter what.”
On July 16, 1950, Rose married Nelson Spencer Channell, the tall, handsome, green-eyed neighbor who had recently returned from WWII. She liked him because he was wearing a United States Marine Corps uniform, and more importantly, “he had a car”. After the wedding, they moved to Detroit, MI, to begin their married life. Over the next three years they welcomed their first two children, Lois and Larry. Twenty years later, they were on the verge of becoming empty nesters, when Rose found out she was expecting her third child, Jason. Excited, but slightly overwhelmed, Rose cried out, “Oh, I just don’t know if I can survive piano lessons and no privacy in the restroom again!” She must have become accustomed to the joys of toddler-rearing, because three years later they welcomed their fourth child, Jennifer. Rose and Nelson often said that being older parents kept them young. They genuinely enjoyed many more years of piano recitals, band concerts, high school sports, and moving kids in and out of dorm rooms. Their four children and 13 grandchildren remained their greatest earthly joy throughout their 68 years of marriage.
At the center of Rose’s life was her faith in Jesus. She and Nelson were active members of the First United Methodist Church of St. Clair Shores, joining in 1955. Rose’s heart for service touched all ages, from the Cradle Roll to the care facility. She had leadership roles with Christian Women’s Club and the United Methodist Women, and she never stopped studying or evangelizing. She loved to mentor younger generations and fondly remembered her many years of teaching young mothers at Bible Study Fellowship. Rose and Nelson were strongly committed to preparing the next generation to fulfill Christ’s mandate to spread the gospel, also mentoring young pastors and their spouses. Over the years, they provided numerous scholarships to ministerial students at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. Throughout her 92 years, she never lost her faith in Jesus. She remained faithful and strong until the end, taking care of Nelson through his struggle with dementia and enduring the untimely deaths of her two beloved boys. We find comfort in knowing that she was welcomed into Eternity hearing the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Rose was preceded in death by her husband, Nelson, and her sons, Larry and Jason. She is survived by her daughters Lois Kilkka, of Charlotte, NC, and Jennifer Jackson (T.W.) of Las Cruces, NM; daughters-in-law Mariann Metes Channell (Benson Woo) of St. Clair Shores and Aimee Hillman Channell of Sterling Heights; granddaughters Lena (Thomas), Emma, Lydia, Grace, Deborah, Joanna and Lillia; and grandsons Spencer (Ele), Alex, Wesley (Karen), Hunter, Jacob and Caleb.
Rev. David Finch, B.Div. ’63, aged 90, was born into a parsonage family on June 2, 1933 to the Rev. John Hillary and Stella Conrad Finch in Moreland, KY. He graduated from Russell High School in Greenup County, KY in 1950 and served as a military policeman in the United States Air Force. He received a BA degree from Asbury University and a M.Div. degree from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, KY.
Rev. Finch married Patricia Murphy in 1957 and to that union were born a son, Jeffrey David, and a daughter, Amy Lin. They served together in United Methodist churches in the Kentucky and New Jersey Conferences. David met his second wife, Bonnie Elizabeth Wonik, in Ocean City, NJ, and they were married in 1991. Together, they continued in the pastoral service of the Lord in the New Jersey Conference, retiring to Wilmington, DE in 2002. David continued his service as interim pastor to several churches in Northern Delaware, and was the Congregational Care Pastor at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Wilmington at the time of his death.
David was a wonderful, caring pastor, father, friend, and brother who had a way with words. He could often be found composing poetry, and he loved to share his gift with those around him. He will be missed by his family and those who knew and loved him.
David is survived by a brother, James O. Finch (Ruth) of Wilmore, KY, a sister, Mary Frances Finch of Durham, NC, a daughter, Ashley Hartshorn (Robert) of Middletown, DE, a step-daughter, Bonnie Kelly (Larry) of Garnet Valley, PA, a step-son, John Brothers (Tiffany) of Prosper, TX, a son-in-law, Shelley Caulder, 16 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Hillary and Stella Conrad Finch, his son, Jeffrey David Finch, his daughter, Amy Lin Caulder, and his wife, Bonnie Elizabeth Finch.
Joy Lucelia Iddings, B.Div. ’50, aged 97, of Mechanicsburg, passed away peacefully with her daughter by her side on Thursday, September 14, 2023 at Messiah Lifeways in Mechanicsburg. Born March 4, 1926 in Seoul, Korea and raised in China, Joy was the daughter of missionaries, the late Harry F. and Emily (Strong) Woods.
Joy earned her Master of Divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary and was actively involved in lay church ministries such as teaching adult Sunday School and Bible studies, leading retreats, and singing in the choir. Reading and memorizing Scripture and hymns was a vital part of her her life. She loved Jesus and took delight in sharing His love with others. Even to her last days she consistently prayed for those she encountered. As one of her recent caregivers stated, “I have lost a prayer warrior and Messiah Lifeways has lost an evangelist.”
She was a mother, wife, and friend to many. She was also employed for a time as an Interlibrary Loan Librarian with Wright State University in Dayton, OH.
Joy was preceded in death by her husband Roger G. Iddings, a sister and a brother. Surviving is her son R. Keith Iddings of Nicholasville, Kentucky; her daughter Pamela J. Linstedt of Harrisburg, one sister, four grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.
Jay Leeson, M.Div. ’10, aged 44, a West Texas political advocate and media personality who was a regular contributor to the Avalanche-Journal’s opinion pages and publications around Texas, is being remembered for his big heart for people and passion for place.
Leeson’s family confirmed his passing in Lubbock Thursday evening following what was a brief escalated battle with a long-term illness. He was 44.
Texas Tech sports cartoons by Jay Leeson
Leeson was a father of four who was known to audiences around Texas for his work as a “radical moderate” who shared his commentary as a radio host on “The West Texas Drive” and as a columnist and cartoonist whose work appeared in numerous publications in Lubbock and across the state of Texas.
He would often refer to himself as a “Prairie Populist” and regularly urged politicians and voters alike to support policies he believed were in the best interest of rural and West Texas.
Leeson’s brother, Michael Leeson, recalled Jay being interested in politics from a young age, but said that interest evolved into advocacy for people and place as Jay followed a path of ministry. He said his brother served as a youth pastor early in his life and later went to seminary school.
“In seminary he gained a deep sense of calling toward public service from a belief and position that God wanted to help all people,” Michael Leeson said. “It’s from that perspective that his passion for politics of place came. He really was very passionate about being a prophetic voice – and prophetic voice is how I think he’d say it – in the public sphere.”
Beyond politics, Jay was quick to point out some of his more entertaining accomplishments, including beating the Big Texan 72-ounce-steak-eating challenge three times, being recognized as a Kentucky Colonel and seemingly being an insider with every mover and shaker around Lubbock and West Texas.
But Jay was even quicker to brag about his four children. Even when caught up on a political rant, Jay could immediately pivot when asked how his kids were doing, boasting of their accomplishments in school, athletics or in signs of early leadership.
Jay Leeson remembered by friends, political leaders
“Jay’s love for his children and West Texas was boundless,” said Tony Privett, a friend and Lubbock-area political insider. “I will miss him.”
U.S. Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Lubbock, shared a statement on social media praising Leeson as a strong voice for West Texas and recalling their shared Hale County roots.
“West Texas lost one of its most vocal and passionate champions in Jay Leeson, and I lost a good friend. God gave Jay such a brilliant mind, big heart, and love for people. I admired him for his creativity and intellect as much as his political courage,” wrote Arrington, who was raised in Plainview – just 25 miles north of Abernathy. “I know Jay loved the Lord and he knew God loved him … and I am confident he’s with his Savior now. Jay always ended our texts with, “HCF (Hale County Forever)!” Man, I’m going to miss that guy.”
State Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, posted a statement reflecting on Leeson’s impact and sharing his family’s sadness at Leeson’s passing.
“Elisabeth and I share in Texas’ sadness over the great loss of Jay Leeson,” Burrows shared on Twitter late Thursday. “Rural Texas communities, Texas politics, and Texas Tech University were all enriched by his talents and his passionate advocacy. His void will undoubtedly be felt far and wide, but the lasting impact of his love for this state will continue to resonate for years to come. We send our love and prayers to his family, friends, and countless admirers.”
Leeson, a graduate of Abernathy High School, pursued a bachelor of arts in journalism at Texas Tech, where he honed his craft at The University Daily campus newspaper. He earned national awards for his work as an editorial cartoonist at the collegiate level.
After his time at Tech, Leeson earned his Master’s of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary in Kentucky and worked in ministry for a number of years before returning to Lubbock, where he would make a state-wide name for himself as a political commentator advocating for rural West Texas.
“After seminary, he started to look at ‘thine own neighbor’ and the public good and how public policy should impact the public good,” Michael Leeson said.
Along with his advocacy, Leeson was also the owner and manager of Leeson Communications, which he founded in 2017.
In recent years, Leeson focused on his cartoon work, largely dealing with rural Texas politics as well as Texas Tech athletics.
Robert E. “Bobby” Martin, Ph.D., M.Div. ’95, aged 73, of Valdosta, passed away on Friday, September 15, 2023 at The Canopy in Valdosta. He was born in Athens, GA on August 8, 1950 to the late James Edwin Martin and Carolyn McCall Martin. Growing up in Valdosta, he graduated from Valdosta High School in 1968 and then attended Valdosta State College where he received a Bachelor of Physics. Dr. Martin served in the U.S. Army from 1973-1974. He then returned to education pursuing Master’s degrees in History and Secondary Education, and a M.Div. from Asbury Theological Seminary. In 1991, he achieved his Ph.D. in Humanities from Florida State University. He worked in the education system at High Schools in Ocilla, GA, and Macon, GA, and for the correctional system, teaching inmates. Towards the end of his career, he worked in South Georgia at Georgia Military Academy, Okefenokee Technical College and Wiregrass Technical College. Dr. Martin retired from teaching in October 2012. Dr. Martin loved music and was an accomplished guitar player. He was an active member of New Covenant Church in Valdosta where he taught Bible doctrine and played his 12-string Ovation guitar for the praise and worship team.
Dr. Martin is survived by two brothers, Dr. Richard McCall Martin of Helena, AL and James David Martin, of Columbia, SC.
He was born on July 25, 1951, in Mount Carmel, Illinois, to Albert and Maxine Meier.
Don had a Bachelor’s Degree from Greenville University, where he met his wife Kathy, of 47 years. He was awarded his Master’s from Asbury Theological Seminary, in Wilmore, Kentucky. Don went on to become a pastor of Spraytown, Indiana, Clay City, Indiana, FFMC in Indianapolis, Indiana, Mt. Carmel Free Methodist Church of Illinois, and Mars Hill Free Methodist Church in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Don loved history, music, playing trivia, reading books, and traveling (but not by air), and a huge Bob Dylan fan. He was also a devoted husband to his wife Kathy and his wife Judy, who brought immeasurable joy to him.
He is survived by his loving wife of 2 years, Judy Carney; children, Timothy Meier and Bethany Quistorff (Jeremy); grandson and light of his life, Trent Meier; sister, Linda Meier-Selvidge (Bill); brother, Tony Meier (Pam).
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Kathy; and brother, Richard.
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