Neva L. Hershman

II Corinthians 5:8 “And we are not afraid – for to be ABSENT FROM THE BODY is to be PRESENT WITH THE LORD”.

Neva L. Hershman, 100 years plus three months, went to be with her heavenly Father on September 23, 2014.

Born in Philippi, West Va. on June 7, 1914 to Lloyd and Molly (Bennett) Upton, she was the last living member of a family of 12 children. Neva was preceded in death by sisters, Dessie Ridenour, Dove Williamson, Dollie Marsh, Grace Nestor, Jessie Shaw and Monnie Bolyard; and by brothers, Lon, Samuel, Howard, Edward and Junior. On November 12, 1936, she married Okey Hershman, who preceded her in death on July 15, 1984. Neva is survived by children, Jerry (Jan) of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio and Connie (George, deceased) of Akron, Ohio; five grandchildren, Wes (Meghan) Hershman, Sarah Sell, Nicholas (Samantha) Seli, Scott (Sherri) Seli and Melissa (Jerry) Coffman; and six great-grandchildren, Olivia, Jacob, Michael, Hannah and Spencer Seli and Brooklyn.

Neva was a cafeteria worker at Alderson Broaddus College and retired in 1972. She was the oldest living member of Tacy Cross Roads Church in Tacy, West Va. She dearly loved her church family and missed them so much. She was a gracious lady who loved everyone and was grateful for everything anyone ever did for her, from heating a cup of coffee to sending her gifts and cards. The family wishes to thank all her wonderful caregivers through the years, especially Joe and Lena Frattaioli and their family, and most recently the staff of Essex Healthcare of Tallmadge and AseraCare Hospice.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Hopkins Lawver Funeral Home, 547 Canton Road (Route 91), Akron, Ohio 44312, where funeral service will immediately follow at 7 p.m. with Pastor Steve Bucy officiating. Further visitation will be held from 2 to 3 p.m. Friday at Cross Roads United Methodist Church at Tacy, 73 Laurel Creek Road, Philippi, WV 26416, with funeral service following at 3 p.m., and interment in Cross Roads Cemetery.