Iva Zelle Boothe, 84

February 24, 1939 – December 15, 2023

On Friday, December 15, 2023, our beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend, Iva Zelle Sappington Boothe, 84, life-long resident of Ripley, departed this life at her residence.



Funeral Services honoring the Christian life of Mrs. Boothe will be held Monday, December 18, 2023, in the Heritage Chapel of Ripley Funeral Home at 1 PM, with Bro. Steve Cohea officiating. Visitation will begin at 10 AM and will continue until time of service on Monday, December 18, 2023.  Burial will be in the Academy Baptist Church cemetery in Blue Mountain.

Mrs. Iva was born February 24, 1939, in Union County, MS, the daughter of the late Wylie Forrest and Susan Blanche Cobb Sappington. She was a graduate of Ingomar Attendance Center and was a valued employee of Olan Mills Photography for over 15 years before retiring. On January 7, 1974, she married her beloved husband, Jack Boothe, who preceded her in death on November 9, 1996.

A member of Academy Baptist Church, Mrs. Boothe’s character will be remembered as being blingy, sparkly, extremely fashionable, fun, yet generous, hospitable, compassionate and faithful. She truly lived life to the fullest enjoying her many shopping sprees from HSN and QVC.  Mrs. Iva was charming in everything she did and was always dressed to the “nines”. She was a true Southern Lady who will be missed by her family, her church family and her many friends.

Loving memories will continue to be shared by her daughter, Deborah Russell of Tupelo, one sister, Vivian Wood, two brothers, Wylie “Bill” Sappington and Jerry Sappington, two granddaughters, Megan Dillard and Mallory Myles, two great-grandchildren, Madison Dillard and Shawn Fryar and a special friend, Marty Jones.

She is also preceded in death by three sisters Ellie Denton, Reba Luther and Bettye Hale and four brothers, James, Dewayne, Donald and Kenny Sappington.

“Favor is deceitful and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.” Proverbs 31:30

Please follow the funeral home link above for further information, or to send online condolences or memorial gifts.