Mary Ann Holcomb
Mary Ann Holcomb went to be with Jesus in Heaven and reunite with other family members on March 1, 2024. She passed away at Chester County Hospital, with family by her side, at the age of 88.  

She was born June 17, 1935, in Carroll County, VA, to the late Harless & Vera (Goad) Marshall.  She was married to Luther “Lou” Holcomb and they shared 49 years of marriage.

She graduated from Hillsville High School in Virginia in 1952. Shortly after high school, she moved to Wilmington, Del. to live with her cousin, Maxine Goad. She worked as a telephone operator for the Bell Telephone Company. One weekend in 1954, she and Maxine went to New River Ranch, a country music venue in Rising Sun, Md.  It was that that night she met the love of her life, Lou. They were married Feb. 5, 1955, and moved to Avondale, Pa. to start their family.  They eventually settled in West Grove in 1968 where they lived on Sunnyside Road for 36 years.

She was a homemaker and cared for her three children and mother-in-law, Lelia (Cox) Holcomb, until 1979.  She also worked at Kendall Retirement home for over two decades, serving as a waitress in the medical dining room, forming lasting friendships along the way, before eventually retiring.  She was a lifelong member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, in support of her husband, who served in the Korean War.

She was a devout Christian, and her life was a true testimony. During her youth, she actively participated in the Liberty Bible Church in Laurel Fork, VA. She faithfully attended all church events and even won a Bible verse contest. Additionally, her father’s donation of the land facilitated the construction of the church. 

After moving to Pennsylvania with her husband, thanks to her sister-in-law, Ruth Richards, she became a member of the Toughkenamon Presbyterian Church. Over the years, she faithfully served in various roles such as a greeter and a Deacon, demonstrating her dedication to the church and community. She continued to attend services until she no longer could drive, although remained a member. She cherished her church family deeply. They continued to visit and pray with her, offering support and companionship.

She was a loving, kind, compassionate, sweet, and gentle woman who loved caring for and spending time with her family. Each and every family member felt her unconditional love. She loved flowers, had the ultimate “sweet tooth” and collected salt & pepper shakers. No matter what she was faced with in life, she always kept her faith.

She is survived by her daughters, Mary Lou Thomas and Ruth Ann Gilbert (Ronnie); her eight grandchildren, Shannon Whitt (Billy), Sara Sexton, Betsy Schmidt (Stephen), Zachary Wilson (Amy), Michael Holcomb II, Amanda Dugger (Josh), Cassie Wilson and Erica Gilbert. Also surviving are 21 great-grandchildren, William (Krista), Alivia (Artie), Ronnie (Hayleigh), Makenzie, Karly, Paige, Chelsea, Owen, Madisen, Athena, Sean, Zachary, Aubrey, Michael III, Mason, Kendra, Amelia, Alex, Wyatt, Stella and Jessie.

She is also survived by three great-great grandchildren,  Arthur, Carter and Alorah, a brother, Joel Racine Marshall, a daughter-in-law, Mary Ellen Jackson and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her son, Michael L. Holcomb, her brothers, Wayne Marshall, Ralph Marshall and Saford James Marshall, numerous brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, a son-in-law, John Thomas and grandson-in-law, Bobbie Sexton.

Services were held on March 8 at Foulk Funeral Home in West Grove. Interment followed at Union Hill Cemetery.  

Arrangements are being handled by Foulk Funeral Home of West Grove. 

As Mary Ann would say, “Turn the other cheek,” and “Jesus Never Fails,” and “Bye. Be good and God Bless.”

Dolores Hammaker
Dolores Hammaker passed away on March 11, 2024 at the age of 85.

She was known to many as “Dee.”

She graduated from Drexel and taught at Philadelphia high schools.

She enjoyed gardening, needlepoint, holiday decorating, and crossword puzzles.

She is survived by Robert, her spouse of over 62 years; her son Jeffrey and his wife Susan; and her brother, Joseph Rodriguez.

She will be greatly missed by family and friends.

Services will be private.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Longwood Fire Company, 1001 East Baltimore Pike, Kennett Square, PA 19348.

Lawrence Robert Carroll
Lawrence Robert Carroll, of Penn Township and formerly of New London, Pa., passed away peacefully while at home on Monday, March 11, 2024. He was 72.

He was the husband of Mary Theresa (Frederick) Carroll, with whom he shared 51 years of marriage.

Born in Drexel Hill, Pa., he was the son of the late Lawrence Francis Carroll and Ellen Regina (Gabe) Carroll of Glenolden, Pa.

Larry was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.  He had many nieces and nephews and cousins. Larry was a graduate of Cardinal O’Hara, Class of 1969, and met his loving wife Mary, a graduate of Prendie, also Class of 1969.  In 1978, Larry started building his dream home in New London Township and moved his family from Toby Farms in 1980.  He also coached his kids and many others at St. Mary’s CYO basketball league with the “Three Amigos” (also including Gene and Joe) and Avon Grove Little League.

He retired from Carpenter’s Local 845 and Paul Restall Company in Media, Pa. after 34 years. He was a master carpenter and spent over 25 years as a general superintendent and spent most of his career at Boeing Helicopters in Ridley Park, Pa.

Larry loved his boat “Proud Mary” and enjoyed living in Florida for ten years and spending time with his neighbor, “Vito.”  He enjoyed golfing, fishing, spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife Mary; a daughter, Kimberly Ann (Carroll) Singleton and her husband, Michael of Cochranville, Pa.; three sons, Lawrence Robert Carroll, Jr. and his wife Michelle of Newark Del.; Shawn Carroll and his wife Rachel of New Garden Township; and William Carroll and his wife Dawn of New London Township; his sister, Kathleen Ann (Carroll) Leahy of West Grove; and 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.  

He was preceded in death by his parents, Larry and Ellen, and a brother-in-law, Bernard Patrick Leahy.

Arrangements are being handled by the Foulk Funeral Home, Inc. in West Grove. For online condolences and to share a memory with the family, please visit  www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.

C. Robert Barnett
C. Robert Barnett, age 84, of Kennett Square, formerly of West Grove, passed away on March 10, 2024 at Linden Hall in Kennett Square.

Born in West Grove, he was the son of the late Walter E. Barnett and the late Dorothy Hopkins Barnett.

He was a crane operator at Lukens Steel Company in Coatesville for many years.

Mr. Barnett was an avid Phillies fan. He went to Clearwater, Fla. every year to see the Phillies at Spring Training. He was season ticket holder for many years. While in Florida, he liked going to the Daytona 500 Nascar race. He also enjoyed country music, going to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tenn. and being with his friends. Bob was also a Judge of Elections for many years in his voting district in West Grove.

He leaves no survivors.

You are invited to attend his graveside service at 11 a.m. on Wednesday morning, March 20 at the Union Hill Cemetery, Route 82, in Kennett Square.

To view his online tribute and to leave a memory, please visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.

Arrangements are being handled by the Foulk Funeral Home of West Grove.

Connie Akers
Connie Akers, age 83, of Sanford, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on March 14, 2024 at Parkview Retirement Village. 

Connie Lee Brown was born at home in Oxford on Nov. 12, 1940. She grew up in Pentecost at the Broad Street Church.  

She is preceded in death by her parents, John Walter and Laura Lee Brown, and her siblings, Cedric, Doris, Arthur (Otsy), and Nancy. 

She is survived by her siblings Agnes and Larry, two sons, George L. Akers and wife Annie of Sanford, NC, and David Akers and wife Rhonda of Franklinton, NC, ten grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

In 1957, she married Bishop George L Akers, Sr. In 1967, they took the pastorate of First Apostolic Church in Sanford, NC. 

She was also a unit secretary at Central Carolina Hospital Emergency Department for almost 30 years. She treasured the memories made with numerous doctors, nurses, and staff.

The funeral service was held on March 18 at First Apostolic Church in Sanford, NC. Burial will be private. 

Donations in her memory can be made to First Apostolic Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 2219 Sanford, NC 27331.  

Condolences may be made at www.bridgescameronfuneralhome.com.

Gregg A. Pyle
Gregg A. Pyle passed away on March 11, 2024 while at his home in Kennett Square. He was 62.

He was the loving husband of Gail (Burns) Pyle. They met in 2006 and married in 2012. 

Born in West Chester, he was the son of Robert Pyle and Mary (Carpenter) Pyle.   

Gregg graduated from Unionville High School and RETS Electronic School in Marple. He then went on to be an auto glass installer for Safelite Auto Glass of West Chester for 38 years. It was a job he enjoyed, and it gave him a chance to meet a lot of people.   

Gregg was someone who liked to keep busy. He liked to spend time tinkering around the house. He liked going to the beach to surf, fish and crab. He enjoyed spending time with his family and he also enjoyed  gardening and cooking. For many years, he liked to go hunting. 

Gregg always said if he was teasing you about something, that meant he loved you. He enjoyed growing up on the Longwood property with his brothers. He was a true Dennis the Menace growing up.

Gregg will be remembered and missed for his sense of humor, his kindness, his love for his family and friends. 

In addition to his parents and his wife, Gregg is survived by his brothers, Gary Pyle (Ann) of Chesapeake, Virginia, Brian Pyle (Karen) of West Chester, and Glenn Pyle of Winchester, Virginia. He is also survived by his nieces, Kelly Reinhart (Tim) and Nicole Curley (Kyle), and his great-nieces and nephew, Harper, Avery, Chase, and Ro.    

 You are invited to visit with Gregg’s family and friends from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 7 at the Red Clay Room at 423 Dalmation Street in Kennett Square. His celebration of life will begin at 4 p.m. No formal wear required. Please wear jeans and tee shirts, which is what Gregg would want people to wear to his celebration. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Gregg’s name to either the Brandywine SPCA, 1212 Phoenixville Pike, West Chester, PA 19380, or KACS (Kennett Area Community Service), PO Box 1025, Kennett Square, PA 19348. 

Arrangements are being handled by Matthew J. Grieco of Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. (484-734-8100) of Kennett Square.  

To view Gregg’s online tribute, and to share a memory with his family, please visit www.griecofunerals.com.

Rodney L. Jennings
Rodney L. Jennings, 70, of Nottingham, passed away on March 15, 2024 at Chester County Hospital.

Born in Wilmington, Del., he was the son of the late Marvin James Jennings and the late Edith Mae Powers Wilson.

Rodney was a retired truck driver. Soon after retiring, Rodney started a lawn care service.

He was a member of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Street, Md.

Rodney enjoyed old cars, hot-rods and motorcycles.

He is survived by one brother, James Jennings and two sisters, Patricia Carroll and Tamela Fulton.

He was preceded in death by one brother, Michael Jennings and two sisters, Diana Lyons and Judy Case.

A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20 at Fremont Union Cemetery, 321 Fremont Rd., Nottingham.

Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.   

Emidio Frezzo Jr.
Emidio “Junior” Frezzo Jr., a longtime resident of Kennett Square, passed away peacefully on March 16, 2024 at the Jenners Pond Retirement Community. He was 87.

He was the husband of Barbara Mason Frezzo, with whom he shared 44 years of marriage. 

Born in West Chester, he was a son of the late Emidio Frezzo Sr. and the late Josephine Delaurentis Frezzo. Junior served our country in the U.S. Army.   

He was a progressive mushroom grower who was eager to learn, develop, and implement new techniques in the agricultural field.  He was a second-generation mushroom grower and owned and operated Emidio Frezzo Jr., Inc. until he retired in 2005. He served as president of the American Mushroom Institute, and on several boards of directors, including a number of local banks and businesses.   

He enjoyed traveling for both business and pleasure, especially to Italy where he visited extended family many times. He celebrated his Italian heritage. A kind and generous man known for his smile and humor, Junior loved being with his family and friends. Junior also loved golfing, playing cards, and spending time with friends at the Kennett Square Country Club.  

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers, Guido Frezzo and Gabriel Frezzo, and his sister, Louise DiMarco. 

In addition to his wife Barbara, Junior is survived by his son, Scott DiStefano and his wife, Christina, of Maryland, two grandchildren, Nina Romeo (Anthony) and Lianna, and great-granddaughter Aria Romeo. Junior is also survived by his siblings, Joseph Frezzo, James Frezzo (Virginia), and brother-in-law Frank DiMarco along with many loved nieces and nephews.  

Due to capacity, parking, and convenience, Junior’s viewing will be at Church of the Advent at 401 N. Union St. in Kennett Square from 9 to 10:45 a.m. on Friday March 22.  His funeral mass of Christian burial will follow at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church at 212 Meredith St. in Kennett Square.  

Interment will follow in St. Patrick Cemetery, Kennett Square.  

Memorial donations in his memory may be made to St. Patrick Catholic Church, 205 Lafayette, St. Kennett Square, PA 19348.  

Arrangements are being handled by Matthew Grieco of Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. (484-734-8100) of Kennett Square.  

To view Junior’s online tribute and to share a memory with his family, please visit www.griecofunerals.com.