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Ival Howard Ashby (6-26-14) service 6-29-14

Ival Howard Ashby entered this world on Aug. 6, 1930, welcomed to his home in Booneville, Miss., 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, Tenn., became his home in 1953 and the following year, on Nov. 24, 1954, he married Anna Francis Vanhoose. They remained together for 59 years until her death on Aug. 5, 2012.
Ival joined the Army the following year, serving his country from 1955 through 1957 while stationed at Fort Sill, Okla. 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, Tenn., 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, at the age of 83 years, 10 months, and 20 days.
He leaves behind his children, Richard Howard Turner and wife, Linda, of Corinth, Miss., Diana Ashby Miles of Ooltewah, Tenn., and Janie Rena Ashby of Pineville, La.; 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, Miss.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, Fla. 33607 or First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 300 Tennessee Street, Savannah,   38372.
Services were held on Sunday, June 29, at 11 a.m., at Shackelford Chapel in Savannah with Helen Hamilton officiating. Burial followed in the Memory Gardens at Savannah.

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