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ASHLAND — Weldon “Pud” Edmondson and Betty Stout have spent decades building their lives around family, faith and the Ashland County community.
The two were crowned senior king and queen Tuesday during Senior Day at the Ashland County Fair.
Edmondson, 93, represented The Good Shepherd. Stout, 90, represented Kingston of Ashland.
Judges selected the winners from six Ashland County seniors after they shared stories and answered questions from hosts Mayor Matt Miller and State Rep. Melanie Miller.
The contestants represented three local senior living communities. Beverly Allgire and Paul Lapp represented Ashland Village. Debra Porterfield and Weldon “Pud” Edmondson represented The Good Shepherd. Betty Stout and Judge Teel represented Kingston of Ashland.
Edmondson has spent much of his life working with his hands. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War before working at Mansfield Plumbing.
He also has made thousands of small crosses from deer antlers. Edmondson said his sons collect the antler sheds for him. He cuts the pieces and puts the crosses together by hand.
“It just came upon me one time, one night,” Edmondson said.
His faith is an important part of his life.
“I wish I could spread the word of Jesus Christ more often and his love for us,” he said.
Edmondson also talked about his family during the contest. He has four children, 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren, with another great-grandchild expected in December.
Stout was born in Louisa, Kentucky, and later made Ashland her home. She worked at Hartman Electric and spent much of her life caring for her family.
She also has been involved with her church and community.
“I think they just follow the footsteps of the Lord,” Stout said.
Stout also spoke on becoming a mother. Her first child was a daughter, then a son. She said boys are easier to raise.
Matt Miller interviewed the queen contestants, and Melanie Miller interviewed the king contestants. The Millers have hosted the contest together for years. Melanie Miller called it one of their favorite events at the fair.
Before the winners were announced, Matt Miller encouraged the audience to look at age as an opportunity rather than a limitation.
“Look at your present age as a positive thing,” Miller said.
The winners received their crowns from last year’s senior king and queen and were congratulated by the crowd before posing for photos with the other contestants.
Tuesday’s contest was part of Senior Day at the Ashland County Fair. Seniors received $1 admission to the fair.
After the crowning, both winners were asked how it feels to be royalty, and their answers were identical.
“It feels great!”
Learn more about the contestants
Beverly Allgire: Allgire, 83, lives at Ashland Village. She was born at Samaritan Hospital in Ashland and spent much of her life caring for children. She worked in child care and served as a foster grandparent through Head Start. She also raised two sons and now provides daily care for one of them. Allgire enjoys baking, gardening, reading novels, embroidery and listening to music. She said her family and the children she has cared for have taught her compassion, patience, strength and love.
Paul Lapp: Lapp, 82, is a resident of Ashland Village. He worked as an electrical engineer at the Hoover Company and later returned to college at age 65 to earn a degree in physical therapy assisting. He previously earned a degree in electrical engineering with a 4.0 GPA. Lapp has taught Sunday school, sung in church choirs and played in a bell choir. He also played baseball and softball and served with the American Legion’s funeral firing squad. He was also an administrator for the village of Jeromesville.
Debra Porterfield: Porterfield, 67, is a resident of The Good Shepherd and was born and raised in Ashland. She worked at National Latex and enjoys bingo, cooking, baking, country music and spending time with her family. Porterfield was married to her late husband, James, for 41 years. She is a mother of three, grandmother of six and great-grandmother of 13. She enjoys hosting family holidays and cooking for her family. She is also known for her five tattoos.
Weldon “Pud” Edmondson: Edmondson, 93, lives at The Good Shepherd and was born and raised in Jeromesville. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War and later worked at Mansfield Plumbing. He enjoys working with his hands and has made thousands of small crosses from deer antlers to give to others. Edmondson has four children, 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren, with another great-grandchild expected in December. He enjoys cooking, making holiday pies and cookies, playing bingo and following the Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Guardians.
Betty Stout: Stout, 90, lives at Kingston of Ashland. She was born in Louisa, Kentucky, and worked as a homemaker and at Hartman Electric and several nursing homes. Stout is a member of Heritage Baptist Church and has volunteered in the community. She has organized community watch efforts and is known for her commitment to prayer. She also sang in a gospel quartet with her late spouse, brother-in-law and sister-in-law. Stout enjoys spending time with her family, participating in church activities, solving word puzzles, shopping, reading and preserving food through canning.
Judge Teel: Teel, 85, is a resident of Kingston of Ashland and was born in West Virginia. He retired from Waste Management and has four children, two granddaughters and one great-granddaughter. Teel said his favorite job was working with horses on a ranch in Texas, where he groomed and exercised horses. He is a member of the Eagles Club and is a fan of the Dallas Cowboys.
See more photos from the senior king and queen contest below:
