Rosalee French

Katherine Rosalee (Casto) French, 91, passed away at her home of 48 years in Ripley, WV on February 12, 2019. Rosalee was born July 5, 1927 in Given, WV, a daughter of the late Luther F. and Oma Myrtle Bowles Casto. She often told stories of taking care of her siblings while growing up and at the age of 12, preparing meals for those working in the fields and in the garden. Every summer, she and her Mother enjoyed canning together. She was a 1945 graduate of Ripley High School and retired as a cook for the Jackson County Board of Education. Rosalee loved bowling and at the age of 50 got her Driver’s License. She was known for her immaculate yard and her gardening skills and loved it when people stopped by to sit on the porch with her and enjoy some conversation. Rosalee was a big WVU fan and always decorated her home for game day and enjoyed traveling to bowl games to cheer on the Mountaineers. She loved to read (but only after her work was done) and going to Nick Sparks book signings. She always loved her beach vacations. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Howard Austin French, a granddaughter, Jeanell Southall, and a son, Howard Steven French; brothers and sisters, Alfred Lee Casto, Everette F. Casto, Hilda Eileen Casto Pringle and Paul Edwin Casto. She is survived by her children, Darlena Rae Randolph, Jeanette Kay Pritt and husband Gary, Teressa Jo French, Edwin Royal French and Andrew Floyd French, 15 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren. Funeral service will be 2:00 pm Sunday, February 17, 2019 at the Waybright Funeral Home, Ripley with Pastor Kevin Jennings officiating. Burial will be in the Given Cemetery, Given, WV. Friends may call from 5 to 8 pm Saturday at the funeral home. The family wishes to thank Kanawha Hospice for the comfort and care given to Rosalee and the entire family during her illness. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.waybrightfuneralhome.com