Jane SEXTON

1915 - 2012

SEXTON

Jane Wisenall at age 96 on April 17, 2012 at Sayre Christian Village Nursing Home. She was born on October 18, 1915 in Covington, KY the only child of Paul Wisenall and Jane Sanford Wisenall. She was raised in Covington and attended and graduated from the public schools there. She later received a degree in English from Ohio Wesleyan University where she met and married her husband of 53 years, Claude Sexton, who died in 1994. Jane's family on both sides were Kentucky pioneers. She was a descendant of Captain John C. Campbell, an early paddleboat builder and navigator on the Ohio River and of the Sanfords, another family who settled the Ohio River areas of Cincinnati, Maysville, Aberdeen and Ripley. Her Wisenall relatives were among the architects and builders involved in the early development of the Covingtion/Newport area. They participated in the building of the historic Newport Courthouse, and the Roebling Bridge over the Ohio River. Jane's father, Paul, was a respected court reporter and her mother, Jane, a well-known citizen and homemaker. After Jane's marriage to Claude Sexton and his military service, the couple moved to Louisville where they founded and managed a kitchen design business (Kitchen Cabinet Co. of Louisville). In 1942, their only child, Robert F. Sexton was born. They retired in Florida where they built houses in Sarasota and Deland later moving to Berea, KY to be closer to family. In all of Jane's communities she was involved in service and women's clubs, book clubs, card clubs and church work. She was an avid reader of history, current events and literature, and held informed political opinions. She also kept a life-long daily journal and wrote short stories and wonderful letters to her friends and family. She was known in the family as "the book grandmother" for her careful selection of books for children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to suit their ages and interests. She was lovely, generous and a gracious hostess to her friends. Jane was predeceased by her only child, Robert F. Sexton, the founding director of the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence, well known state and national advocate and policy expert for better education. Jane was very proud of him and deeply interested in his work. In her own ways she was also an education advocate. She is survived by a family who will cherish her memory and celebrate her long life: daughter-in-law, Pamela Papka Sexton; grandchildren, Rebecka Byrne Sexton ,Chicago, IL, and Robert Byrne Sexton ,Sunnyvale, CA; great granddaughter, Lily Katheryn Schade Sexton San Antonio, TX; step grandchildren, Ouita Kristi Michel (Chris), Midway, KY, Paige Amber Walker (Travis), Lexington, KY, and Perry Aaron Papka, Frankfort, KY; step great-grandchildren, Willa Dru Michel, Julia Thomas Walker and Wyatt VanArsdall Walker. Jane's family will forever be grateful for the loving, caring staff of Sayre Christian Village Nursing Home many of whom treated Jane like their own mother. They are a legion of saints on earth performing the most difficult work and will be remembered for their support during the last difficult years. Celebration of Life service will be held at Milward's Funeral home at 159 North Broadway in Lexington at 10:30 AM on Monday April, 23. In lieu of flowers memorials in Jane's memory may be made to the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence, 271 West Short Street, Suite 202, PO Box 1658, 40588-1658. www.milwardfuneral.com