Neoma Sexton Ash passed away March 18, 2017, peacefully at her home on Sexton Road in Minden. Her last request was that she be allowed to die on the same property where she was born on Oct. 2, 1921 to Leonard and Amanda Sexton. The family is very appreciative of the help from Hospice to make this simple last request a reality.
Neoma was a graduate of Minden High School, class of 1939, and then went on to obtain a bachelor’s degree at Normal College (Northwestern University) in 1943.
Her first job was as an extension employee in Ruston where she met her future husband O.W. (Joe) Ash at a dance. When Joe’s military contract ended, they moved to Midway, West Virginia where they had three children: Janet Lee Ash and Linda Ash Simmons, both of Minden, and E.T. Ash of College Station, Texas.
Over her working career, she taught school for about 20 years. In 1961, she was employed with the US Extension Service (home demonstration agent) in West Virginia, where she and three others operated the first pilot program of what is now known as Head Start. To her many, many students she was always ‘easy to know’, always extremely practical minded and therefore always a source of good advice. Neoma very much loved to fish and she could make a pretty mean pecan pie. In 1974, after retiring from teaching in Florida, she and Joe returned to Minden to look after her aging father and to operate the family farm.
Neoma was a member of Lakeview United Methodist Church. She is survived by her three children, daughter-in-law, and a long list of nephews, nieces and grandneightbors. Both her good humor and her wisdom will be missed by all. A VERY SPECIAL THANKS goes out to friends, neighbors, church members and community who helped support Neoma in her last years… too numerous to list, but you know who you are. Although Neoma always appreciated the beauty of flowers, her practical side might suggest that any donation to Habitat for Humanity or Lakeview Methodist Church would be perfectly appropriate.
Viewing is at Rose-Neath on Monday, March 20 from 5 until 7 p.m. with the graveside service on March 21 at 1 p.m. at Pine Grove Cemetery with the Rev. Kathy Wafer and the Rev. Wayne Howington officiating.