Lela Mae Hess

Lela Mae Hess departed this life making her heavenly flight on Thursday, December 20 at
Hospice of Hope in Seaman, Ohio. She was born July 20, 1925 near Buford,
Ohio the daughter of the late Floyd and Della Hirons Louderback.
Lela Mae lived around the Buford area all her life. Most of her childhood was
spent on Sicily Road growing up with childhood friends Dorothy Ellis Hodson and
Marguerite Ellis Springer. She attended Buford School and graduated
valedictorian of her class. She went to work at the bank in Lynchburg as a
bookkeeper following graduation.
She married Dannie Hess on December 18, 1946 sharing 64 years together, they
had one son Glenn Hess. She and Dannie farmed with his father John Hess for
several years and in 1954 they loaded up their Dodge truck and left for Decatur
Indiana so that Dannie could go to Auctioneer School. After returning home the two of
them launched out in faith to start Dannie Hess Auctioneer, then Dannie Hess &
Associates, now known as the Hess Auction Company. Lela Mae was an integral part of the Business,
certainly as a bookkeeper, cashier, clerk and whatever was needed for 50 years.
Lela Mae was a great homemaker, who loved cooking and baking for people, and helping
others if needed. Their home was always open to visiting preachers during
revival and to others who might need a short term home. If you visited their home
she was always ready to give you something to eat!
Lela Mae gave her life to Christ at an early age and was baptized into Christ at
the Buford Church of Christ. She started playing the piano there at age 13 and
played for another 50 years. Later they came to Union Church of Christ and she
played piano there as well. The church was very important to her for her entire life.
She taught Sunday School & VBS classes for years.
In addition to her parents, Lela Mae was preceded in death by her husband Dannie Hess,
brother, Kenneth Louderback, and in-laws John and Bessie (Vance) Hess.
Survivors include her son and daughter in-law, Glenn & Joyce Hess of Buford,
two grandchildren, (who were the pride of her life) Brad (Kim) Hess, of Buford
and Jana (Jon) Holbrook of Danville. Also surviving are five very special great grandchildren,
Bricen & Caden Hess, Mallory, Makenna and Miley Holbrook, special nieces Darla & Sherry
Louderback and Carol Roberts, plus many other nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, December 22, 2018, at the Union Church
of Christ, 3021 N. Taylorsville Rd. Hillsboro, OH 45133, with Pastors Andrew Johnson and
Josh Book officiating. Burial will follow in the Buford Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday,
11:00 am - 2:00 p.m. at the church. If desired, memorial contributions in Lela Mae's memory
may be directed to the Union Church of Christ Mission fund, c/o the church or to
Hospice of Hope - Ohio Valley, 215 Hughes Blvd. Mt. Orab, OH  45154.
Edgington Funeral Homes, Hillsboro, is serving the family. To leave online condolences
visit www.edgingtonfuneralhomes.com