BRYAN JAMES SMITH

Bryan James Smith, 26, of West Grove, passed away on March 7 at his home.

Born in Lynchburg, Va., he was the son of Harry, Jr., and Sandra Conner Smith of West Grove. Bryan graduated from Avon Grove High School class of 2011. He was employed with Brother’s Pizza in West Grove and also had various jobs in being a truck delivery driver. He enjoyed traveling, skateboarding, snowboarding and cooking.

He is survived by his parents; two brothers, Josiah Smith and Adam Smith; one sister, Carly Smith, all of West Grove; grandmother, Donna Conner of Youngstown, Ojio; nephew, Alex Smith of West Grove; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Harry and Doris Smith; and maternal grandfather, Merlin Conner.

A service was held March 11. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com. 

ARTHUR W. MORRISON, JR.

Arthur Wayne Morrison, Jr., 84, of Cochranville, passed away on March 2 at his home.

He was the husband of Peggy Cangemi Morrison, with whom he shared 62 years of marriage. Born in Coatesville, he was the son of Arthur Wayne, Sr., and Pearl Johnson Morrison. Arthur was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He retired in 1996 from Lukens Steel after 30 years of service.  After retiring, he drove a school bus for the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District, retiring in 2006. He was a member of Safe Harbor Baptist Church and a former member of Manor Presbyterian Church, both of Cochranville. Arthur enjoyed football, baseball, reading, and his cat, Sammy. He also enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife; one daughter, Deborah Ann Carr and her husband David of Nottingham; four grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one son, Wayne A. Morrison; and 12 siblings.

A memorial service was held March 9. Interment was in Oxford Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the American Heart Association, 1617 JFK Boulevard, Suite 700, Philadelphia, PA 19103. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com. 

LANA W. GILL

Lana W. Gill (Shortlidge), 75, of West Grove, left this earth on March 3 at the Jennersville Hospital, for her home in heaven.

She was the wife of Earl Shortlidge, with whom she shared 40 years of marriage. Born in Wilmington, Del., she was the daughter of the late Harry T. Woodward, Jr., and the late Isabel Jenkins Woodward. She lived in Avondale until she was about 2, then the family moved to Jennsersville, until 1954. After that they lived in New Castle, Del., for a year, moving to Cochranville in 1955. She graduated from Octoraro High School, class of 1962, where she remained class treasurer for over 50 years, due to her being on the reunion committee. Playing with other people’s money was her niche in life. She was a bookkeeper for Cochranville Block Company for 22 years, moving on to Brandywine Mushroom Company in West Grove, and Frank Battaglia, CPA, in Kennett Square, until she opened her own business in 1991. She was the treasurer of many organizations that she belonged to over the years. Lana was involved with the West Grove United Methodist Church and taught Sunday School for 10 years, worked with the youth fellowship and was on the administrative council. She was also a part of the Girl Scouts, being a “cookie mother” for a number of years. Avon Grove Band Boosters and PTO were also a part of her life.

In addition to her husband Earl, she is survived by her brother, Larry Woodard of West Chester; her sister, Rita Phillos of Avondale; and stepdaughter, Mindy Gunzl of Newark, Del. She had nieces, nephews and an extended family of the Andersons, Shaubs and Camps. Her daughter, Missie Gill, passed away in 1989 and has been missed every day since then.

Her service and burial were held privately. In lieu of flowers, make a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.

 

MARY ANDERSON

Mary “Tootsie” Anderson, 92, of Kennett Square, passed away on March 4 at her residence.

Born in Hockessin, Del., she was the daughter of the late Charles Clifford Anderson and the late Caroline Owens Anderson. She was a self-employed housekeeper, working for many different families. Tootsie was a member of the Second Baptist Church of Kennett Square, the Underground Railroad Society and the Kennett Senior Center. She was an avid reader, and enjoyed volunteering at the Kennett Senior Center and other area organizations, and helping others. She enjoyed being with her family and friends.

She is survived by two sons, Tanna C. Anderson and his wife Jeanette of Newport, N.C., and Pierre J. Anderson and his wife Jennifer of San Antonio, Texas; nephew, John R. Anderson and his wife Cindy of Newport, R.I.; two brothers, Clarence C. Anderson of Kennett Square, and Wells E. Anderson of Bristol, Pa.; one sister, Sara Ingram of Paoli, Pa.; seven grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

A funeral was held March 9. Burial was in the Union Hill Cemetery in Kennett Square. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.

 

JOANNE PENNY WEBB

Joanne Penny Webb peacefully passed away on March 5, surrounded by her four loving daughters at her home in Oxford.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Webb. She was the cherished mother of Theresa Dunn, Lynnette Penny, Laura Billings and Suzette Strine; and a loving grandmother of 11.  She is survived by 12 additional great-grandchildren. Her presence in this world will be missed. Her love will carry on.

 

LEWIS PORTER HOWARD KINSEY

Lewis “Lew” Porter Howard Kinsey, 84, of Kennett Square, went to be with his beloved wife Rosemary and his Lord and Savior on March 9.  Lew fought a courageous battle with congestive heart failure.

He was a Military Police officer in the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne division Korea Pusan from 1955 to 1957. He then began a corporate career at American Express in the traveler’s check division.  He worked there for over 25 years and was loved by all, especially his customers. He was a very active member of The Presbyterian Church of Kennett Square as a Deacon and Trustee.  He served there for over 40 years. He was also a Rotary member in Kennett Square for over two decades. 

Post retirement, Lew worked in the hardware industry at Pyle’s, ACE Brandywine Hardware and finally at M.S. Yearsley’s.  Lew always loved playing Santa Claus at M.S.Yearsley’s during the Christmas season. He volunteered at Longwood Gardens and especially loved to run their model trains during the holidays. Lew’s greatest hobby was working outdoors.

He was born in Darby, Pa., in 1934 to Howard and Edith Kinsey (Skull). He grew up on Wit’s End Farm in Downingtown, which is now where the Whitford Country Club stands.  He graduated from Downingtown High School in 1955. He met the love of his life in Washington, D.C. They were married in 1959.  Lew and Rosemary celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary this past November.

He is survived by his daughter, Tish Copeland (Jason); his son, Stockton Kinsey (Tina); and four grandchildren.

Services will be held March 16 at The Presbyterian Church of Kennett Square (211 S. Broad St., Kennett Square).  Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. and the funeral service will begin at 10 a.m.  Interment will be at Union Hill Cemetery in Kennett Square.  A reception will immediately follow the interment.  All are invited for lunch and fellowship at the church. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to Water For Life (https://my.lifetoday.org/give), which is an organization that digs clean water wells in third world countries.  Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

 

KENNETH W. THOMAS

Kenneth W. Thomas, 77 of Chestertown, Md., passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 7 after an extended illness.

He and his wife, Marie, were married for 51 years and have four children and nine grandchildren. Ken cherished his family and was a devoted and much beloved husband, father and Pop Pop. 

He was born in 1941, son of the late Joseph D. and Margaret McCue Thomas. He was raised in Landenberg, and was a graduate of Kennett High and the Pennsylvania State University College of Agriculture. He was also a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran.

Ken was a tractor enthusiast and history buff and his love of tractors turned into a life-long career. He was employed by S.G. Lewis & Son, Jennersville, and J. Norman Pusey Hardware, Avondale.  In 1969, he opened Thomas Power Equipment in Avondale, and later worked for John Deere in Syracuse, N.Y.  In 1980, he and his family moved to Kent County, Md., where he worked as the lawn and garden sales manager for Hoober Equipment, Inc., in Middletown, Del., for over 25 years.  He enjoyed collecting tractors and farm equipment, telling a good joke and spending time with family.  Ken was a proud charter member of the Presbyterian Church of Chestertown.

He is survived by his wife, Marie Ann Gooding Thomas; children, Amy Tasman of Glenside, Steven Thomas of Colorado Springs, Colo., Carrie Nuse (Jeff) of Chestertown, Md., and Scott Thomas (Anna) of East Greenville, Pa..; a sister Mary Ann Armstrong (Jim) of Lancaster, Pa.; and nine grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on March 21 at 11 a.m. at the Presbyterian Church of Chestertown (905 Gateway Drive, Chestertown Md.). Friends may call after 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be offered to the Presbyterian Church of Chestertown, 905 Gateway Dr. Chestertown, MD 21620; Kent & Queen Anne’s Rescue Squad, 140 Morgnec Rd., Chestertown, MD 21620; or Tuckahoe Steam & Gas Association, PO Box 636, Easton, MD 21601.