Beth E. Ash

Della “Beth” Ash passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by family on September 22, 2024. Born on March 22, 1943, she is the daughter of the late Granville “Ray” and Miriam Wheat. In addition to her parents, Beth is preceded in death by her brothers; Richard, Joe, and Milton Wheat, and her son, Carter D. Ash.

Beth came to know and love Christ as her Savior at a very young age and from that moment she devoted her life to her faith. She took pride in living every aspect of her life serving Him. She instilled this in her husband, children, grandchildren and all who had the privilege to know her. Her love and faith in the Lord led her to her husband Lew; when she and other high school friends came to his home to invite him to church.

Lew often said Beth was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen, so he went to church one Sunday evening and found her on the platform singing in the choir. After the service was over, she came over to welcome him, and the rest as they say is history. They married 2 years later on Thanksgiving day of 1961; she was 18 and he was 20. They spent the next 62 years together raising their five children, and ministering to others with Christ as the center of their lives.

Beth was very dedicated to her church family, serving in many capacities including Christian Education. She firmly believed that showing her love of her Savior was seen through her actions, and devoted her life to His service.

She was a highly gifted teacher and student. She recited her Elementary Education degree in 1977 and spent 30 years teaching third grade in both St. Charles, IL and Olentangy school districts in Ohio. She pursued her Masters and Doctorate degrees, stopping just short of her thesis. She took immense pride in working with students, using many nights and weekends to spend additional time with them at school and even inviting them to her home. Their success was of the utmost importance to her.

To say she loved education and children is an understatement. In addition to spending her days as a third grade teacher, she was also the Education Director for her church, a Sunday School teacher, led and organized countless vacation bible schools, was actively involved in Mother’s Day Out, and countless other outreach ministries; including tutoring programs, mission trips and support of families from other countries and visiting the elderly in their homes.

When Beth wasn’t serving her church or educating her beloved students, she could often be found in her kitchen baking. She was famous for her chocolate chip cookies; a recipe she had memorized as a child that no one could quite master as well as her despite our efforts. She baked nightly and her children took comfort in listening to the clanging of pots in pans in the kitchen as they drifted off to sleep. Well after midnight, her love language was her baking assorted treats and meals for those that needed them. Her kitchen counters and table were often filled with this love to send to any number of those for which she cared.

Beth is survived by her children; Kimberly (Randy) Nightengale, Erin Jones, Megan Ash and Amanda (Tyler) Halley, her ten grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

The family would like to express our heartfelt thanks to Janet Nfor, RN and Aksuia Antwinna, HHA, her daily caregivers, as well as all the staff at Care 360 Hospice, Aanelisa, LPN, Tina, HHA and her music therapist Carrie. Thank you all for your dedication and caring during our Mom’s last few months. While she expressed this to you often, we cannot tell you enough how very special you are and how much your care and love meant to us. We are truly grateful.

A public visitation will be held on Thursday, September 26, 2024 from 4-7 PM at Schoedinger Worthington, 6699 N. High Street, Worthington, OH 43085. Funeral services will be held the following day, Friday, September 27, 2024, at 11:00AM, at Karl Road Baptist Church, 5750 Karl Rd, Columbus, OH 43229.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Compassion International at: https://www.compassion.com/sponsor_a_child/ ,or Operation Christmas Child through Samaritan's purse at https://www.samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/about-us/ .

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