Lelah Mae Gettles Murdoch, 97, of Wellston, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, Jan. 6, 2019, at Jenkins Care Community in Wellston. She was born July 4, 1921, in Wellston to the late Homer E. and Ella Davis Gettles.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Bayard H. Murdoch, on Aug. 4, 2008, and three brothers: Donald E. Gettles, Francis L. Gettles, and Homer D. Gettles. Lelah was the last of her immediate family.
She is survived by her two children: Mike Murdoch (Alyce) and Peggy Murdoch (Jim), all of Wellston; two grandsons: Matt Murdoch (Erica) of Carroll, Ohio, and Bryan Murdoch (Branda) of Ft. Worth, Texas; four great-grandchildren: Alexandra Murdoch and Kamryn Murdoch of Carroll, Ohio, and Milly Murdoch and Myles Murdoch of Ft. Worth, Texas; sister-in-law, Shirley Dalton Murdoch, of McArthur, Ohio; and nieces and nephews.
Lelah was a 1939 graduate of Wellston High School where she was both a member of the Wellston Marching Band and the ladies’ Blue Belles basketball team. Lelah was a lifelong member of the EUB, then Trinity United Methodist Church, and most recently attended the Grace Baptist Fellowship in Wellston. Before retirement, she was employed by the Hercules Trouser Co. in Wellston and Perdue’s Five and Dime store, where she was well known for her beautiful Easter basket arrangements made for customers. In her spare time, she enjoyed camping and motor scooter riding with her late husband. She also cherished time well spent with her grandsons and their families.
The family would like to thank Jenkins Care Community and staff for the love, care, and comfort provided to Lelah during her year-long stay, and to Pastor Tim Jones and Dr. Douglas Jones for support during her illness.
The family will receive friends at the Jenkins Funeral Chapel in Wellston on Wednesday from 4 until 9 p.m. Services will be Thursday at 1 p.m. at the Jenkins Chapel with Pastor Tim Jones officiating. Burial will follow in the Ridgewood Cemetery. The family politely requests that memorials in Lelah’s name be made to Jenkins Care Community or Grace Baptist Fellowship.
Online condolences may be made at www.samjenkinsfuneralchapel.com