Letha Ellen Mechem, age 82, of Berkeley Springs, WV, died on Sunday, October 6, 2019 at War Memorial Hospital in Berkeley Springs.

 Born September 6, 1937 in Morgan County, WV, she was the daughter of the late Turner Ashby, Jr. and Mary Householder Lafollette.

 She was a member of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church. Letha was a 1955 class graduate of Berkeley Springs High School. She worked as a teacher’s aide with Morgan County Schools, and had worked in prior years at Interwoven Hosiery Mill, Spohrs Crossroads Canning Company, and recent years, she was a homemaker to her husband, daughter and grandchildren. Letha enjoyed gardening, Morgan County Backpack Program. She had a passion for sewing, where she was known for making wedding gowns for brides to be in the community.

 Letha is survived by her husband Joe Mechem at home, her daughter, Cassandra Ellen “Sandy” Kesecker and her husband Vince of Berkeley Springs, one sister, Lena Helen Reynard of Dayton, OH, one brother, Kenneth Lafollette and his wife Veronica of Berkeley Springs, three grandchildren, Carrie Maretta Kesecker, Kyle Vincent Kesecker, Carter Ryan Kesecker, all of Berkeley Springs, and many nieces and nephews.

 In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Nyle Glenn “Jiggs” Rankin on June 2, 1995, and three brothers, Donald Lee Lafollette, Bruce Lafollette and Stanley Milton Hovermale.

 Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 9, 2019 at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, 5377 Martinsburg Road, Berkeley Springs, WV, with Pastor Anthony “Tony” Pirrone officiating. Burial will be in Spohrs Crossroads Cemetery.

  The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday at Helsley-Johnson Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 95 Union Street, Berkeley Springs, WV.

 In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Gift of Grace Food Bank, c/o Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, 5377 Martinsburg Road, WV 25411.

  Online condolences may be expressed at www.helsleyjohnsonfh.com.