Lydia (Perry) Preece of Oceana passed away peacefully at he assisted living facility in London, Ohio, where she had resided for the past two years, on Saturday, January 17, 2009.

She was born September 25, 1915, in Wayne County, the daughter of the late Martha Williams Davis and Charles Perry. She was raised in Martin County, Ky., and considered that home until 1962 when she relocated with her husband and family to Oceana.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Virginia Davis and a son, Leroy Preece and 17 sisters and brothers.

Lydia was a faithful Christian, a loving wife and devoted mother and a kind and generous neighbor and friend.

Surviving Lydia is her husband of nearly 74 years, Luther F. Preece, and children William C. (Grace) Preece of Clarksburg, James F. Preece, London, Ohio, Barabara J. (John) Allen, Lebanon, Penn., Ronals (Brenda) Preece, Ashville, Ohio, Lynda J. (Larry) Fields, Augusta, Ga., and Dorothy L. (Gary) Cecil, Lebanon, Pa.; 16 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; one stepsister, Brookie Davis; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009, at the Deliah United Meth-odist Church in Oceana, with the Rev. Richard Chester officiating, and at 10 a,m, Friday, Jan. 23, 2009, at the Richmond-Callaham Chapel, Warfield, Ky., with the Rev. Woodrow Nichols officiating. Burial will follow at the Davis Family Cemetery at Warfield.

Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, at Toler Funeral Home, Oceana, or from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22, at Richmond-Callaham Funeral Home in Warfield, Ky.