Ival Howard Ashby entered this world on August 6, 1930, welcomed to his home in Booneville, Mississippi by his parents, Jack and Grace Walden Ashby. He remained in Booneville for the next 23 years, graduating from Booneville High School and beginning work for Mr. Henry Dillon as a sewing machine mechanic. Savannah, Tennessee became his home in 1953 and the following year, on November 24, 1954, he married Anna Francis Vanhoose. They remained together for 59 years until her death on August 5, 2012.
Ival joined the Army the following year, serving his country from 1955 through 1957 while stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. His return to Savannah brought him back to work for Mr. Dillon until the business sold to Angelica Corporation. Ival’s loyalty to the company and his hard work allowed him to advance into management, being named plant manager in 1965 and regional manager in 1986. That last promotion required traveling to plants in Tennessee, Missouri, and Mississippi until he retired in 1995, having given 42 years of service to the company. Two more years of part-time work with Angelica contractors continued to take him across the south until he fully retired in 1997.
No matter where he lived, Ival’s desire to serve led him to become involved in his community. During his stay in Wayne County, Tennessee he served as President of the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce and the Lions Club. His residence in Savannah brought even greater involvement where he served as an elder in the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church and an officer for Woodmen of the World. A member of the Masons for over 50 years, he was also active in the Scottish Rite and Al Chymia Shriners, serving as the President of the Pickwick Shrine Club for two years and as their Treasurer for 26.
Ival Howard Ashby left this world on Thursday, June 26, 2014 at the age of 83 years, 10 months, and 20 days. He leaves behind his children, Richard Howard Turner and wife, Linda, of Corinth, Mississippi, Diana Ashby Miles of Ooltewah, Tennessee and Janie Rena Ashby of Pineville, Louisiana; his grandchildren, Justin Miles, Shanna Roberts, Charla Mouton, Kelsie Gurgainers, Clint Turner, Whitney Turner, and Ben Turner; his great grandchildren, Riley Burlew, Brooke Burlew, Robbie Amons, Gregory Mouton, and Gracelyn Mouton, and his sister, Leona Woodruff of Booneville, Mississippi.
