Published: July 11, 2008 12:36 pm         

Friday, July 11, 2008

Arla Barnhill Alexander
1915-2008

DAYTON, OHIO - Arla Barnhill Alexander, daughter of the late William David and Rebecca Barnhill and wife of the late Benjamin Franklin Alexander passed away at Hospice of Dayton on July 8th nine days short of her 93rd birthday. Arla was born on July 17, 1915 in Carter County, Kentucky and spent her early life in Ashland, Kentucky. Her husband Frank, who worked for Kentucky Power Company, was relocated to the Grayson, Kentucky area where they resided for many years.

In 1982, following Mr. Alexander’s retirement they moved to Morehead, Kentucky where they founded and operated Alexander’s Red Cottage Gallery. In 1994, following the close of their business the Alexander’s moved to Otterbein Retirement Center in Lebanon, Ohio.

Mrs. Alexander, who began painting as a grandmother in 1963, quickly became a well recognized artist working in many mediums. Although self taught, she mastered the art successfully, painting in a realistic style. Some of her work was commercially reproduced in the form of prints and home décor laminated plaques which still appear periodically for sale on eBay. She was commissioned to do many paintings, one of which was done for the Governors Mansion in Kentucky.

Upon moving to Otterbein she won recognition not only for her artistic abilities but for her poetry and short story writing as well, winning awards in three categories. Up to the time of her death at age 92, she was a prolific artist, painting hundreds of small note sheets and smaller framed pictures which were sold in the Creative Arts Center at Otterbein. Over the years, Mrs. Alexander became well known on the Otterbein Campus and was easily identified by the ever changing flowers that always decorated the basket on her electric cart.

Mrs. Alexander was a member of the congregation of the Otterbein Lebanon United Methodist Church at Otterbein.

Mrs. Alexander is preceded in death by her husband Frank and her sisters Irene and Mamie. She is survived by one son, David Alexander of Centerville, Ohio; two granddaughters, Debbie Adkins of Huntington, West Virginia and Michelle Alexander of Springboro, Ohio; as well as six great grandchildren.

Visitation will be 10:00 AM on Friday, July 11 in the Otterbein Chapel with services immediately following at 11:00 AM. Rev. James Ludwick, a long-time friend, will be officiating. Interment will be beside her husband in the Otterbein Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be sent to Hospice of Dayton, 324 Wilmington Avenue, Dayton, OH 45420 or to the Otterbein Benevolence Fund at Otterbein Retirement Center, 580 N. State Route 741, Lebanon, Ohio 45036.

Iva Jean Jenkins Johnson Litton
1940-2008

SANDY HOOK – Mrs. Iva Jean Jenkins Johnson Litton, age 67, of Route 1, Sandy Hook, went home to be with the Lord Wednesday, June 25, at the residence of her daughter.

Mrs. Litton was born November 14, 1940, in Elliott County, a daughter of the late Ray and Myrtle Crum Jenkins.

She was preceded in death by her two husbands, Eugene Johnson of twenty-three years and Burl Litton of sixteen years; four brothers, Infant Bobby Ray Jenkins, Chester Conn, Everett Conn and Jake Jenkins; one granddaughter, Jessica Renea Eldridge; two great-granddaughters, Olivia Faith Eldridge and Kayleigh Jean Eldridge.

Jean was saved on December 8, 1966, and was baptized December 11, 1966, serving the Lord for more than forty-one years. She was a member of the Walnut Grove Community Church in Elliott County. Since May 5, 1979, Jean devoted her working career at the Saint Claire Regional Medical Center in Morehead, where she was employed for more than twenty-nine years as a Senior Nursing Assistant and Preceptor. Shortly after her retirement in July 2006, she and best friend Edith McVey chartered a Northwest Tour bus to explore the great west. Her most beloved hobbies included gardening, canning, cooking, the great outdoors, and spending time with her family.

Additional survivors include her only daughter, Patricia Johnson of Morehead; two grandsons and spouse, Jeff Eldridge of Morehead, Nathan and Danni Eldridge of Sandy Hook; three great-grandchildren, Tyler, Kelsey, and Gracie Eldridge all of Sandy Hook; one brother and sister-in-law, Jesse and Tootsie Jenkins of Elliott County; one sister, Anna Mae Brown of Fairborn, Ohio; she also leaves several nieces, nephews, step children, and step grandchildren along with a host of extended family members, neighbors, and friends who will sadly mourn her passing.

Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Sunday, June 29, in the chapel of the Waddell and Whitt Funeral Home in Sandy Hook with brother Ricky Lewis and Brother Scott Litton officiating. Burial followed in the Jenkins Cemetery on Johnson Loop Road in Elliott County.

Tony Blankenbeckler, Bryan Jenkins, Jerry Jenkins, Stanley Jenkins, Gary Stevens and Gary Conn served as pallbearers.

Dr. Thomas Fossett, Dr. Adam Conn, Dr. Ed Scott, Dr. David Victor, Dr. Allen Lim, Dr. Kimberly Williams, Evelyn Harris, Lisa Poage, Lula Pecco, Patty Thomas, Jessica Waddell, Joan Wells, Nancy Flippin, Diane Helton, Bonnie Bennett, Lori Gulley, Nancy Maggard, Lanette Winkleman, Marsha Maggard, and all her Guardian Angels on 3rd North served as honorary pallbearers.

James Glenn Preston, Jr.
1932-2008

MOREHEAD – James Glenn Preston, Jr., age 76, of Frontier Way, Winchester, KY, passed away Wednesday, July 9, 2008, at St. Joseph Hospital in Lexington, KY.

He was born June 27, 1932, in Louisa, Kentucky, to the late James Glenn Sr. and Imogene Graves Preston. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Rita Sparkman and Linda Fain.

Jim is survived his wife Sharlene (Shirley) Crum Preston, whom he wed October 16, 1952; three sons, Christopher Clay Preston and Angel Hughes of Mt. Sterling, KY, James Glenn Preston III and Marilyn Russell of Richmond, KY; and Jamie Peyton Preston and Melinda Parks of Winchester, KY; one daughter and son-in-law, Lee Ann Preston Sheehy and Rick Sheehy of Versailles, KY; one brother, Charles Douglas Preston of Elizabethtown, KY; five grandchildren, Carrie Caudill, Dawn Smith, Michelle Preston, Bill Sheehy, and Annie Sheehy; two great grandchildren, Dakota and Kaitlyn Smith; a brother-in-law, Rodney Sparkman; and many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Preston attended the University of Maryland and served in the U.S. Army from 1948-1969. He was an employee of Whitehall Mobile Home Sales in Mt. Sterling, managed many restaurants in Louisville and Winchester, including Jerry’s in Winchester. He was a former member of the Anchorage, Alaska, Masonic Lodge and is a member of the Baptist Church.

Funeral services will be conducted 1:00 p.m. Saturday, July 12, 2008, at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Brad Bennington officiating. Entombment will follow in Forest Lawn Mausoleum. Morehead American Legion Post No. 126 will serve as pallbearers and conduct full military rites at the mausoleum.

Visitation is after 5 p.m. Friday, July 11, 2008, at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals, 400 Fraley Drive, Morehead, KY 40351.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Red Cross, 1450 Newtown Pike, Lexington, KY 40511.

View video tribute or sign guestbook at www.northcuttandson.com