GRACE ETHEL STAPLES ALDERSON

     The Family of Grace Ethel Staples Alderson are saddened at the passing of our beloved mother and matriarch.  Grace died at the age of 102 on 18 February 2026 at St. Anthony’s Hospice Lucy Smith King Care Center in Henderson, Kentucky.

     She was the wife of Chester F. Alderson who preceded her in death, passing on 9 August 2009.  Grace was also preceded in death by her parents, Alfonzo and Mary Arnett Staples.

     She is survived by her six children: two daughters, Judi Harris and Kathy Alderson, both of Henderson, Kentucky, and four sons, Larry Alderson (Peggy) of Henderson, Kentucky, Rick Alderson (Vangie) of Newburgh, Indiana, and Danny Alderson (Pam) and Tommy Alderson, both of Henderson, Kentucky.  She also had nine grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

     Grace was a longtime member of Cash Creek Baptist Church in Henderson County, Kentucky, where she was piano player and organist for many years.  She had many varied interests, including reading, painting, and sewing, as well as restoring vintage trunks and many other crafts.  She attended school at Central Grade school in Henderson, Niagara High School, and Barret High School in Henderson, graduating in 1942.  Following high school, she attended Evansville Business College.  Transportation to Evansville required a bus ride and back every day.  After attending business college, she was employed at the Henderson County Circuit Court Clerk Office.  During this period, she married Chester Alderson, a career soldier in the US Army.  To keep the family together as a unit, she made the arduous trip to Germany by herself, twice, with her small children that she had in tow.  These trips required travel by car, trains, ocean liner, airplanes, and buses.  Most of the travel was in foreign countries with foreign languages.  During all the long deployments that required our father to be gone for extended periods of time, she managed the family by herself.  She will be forever in our hearts.

     Services will be at noon Monday, 23 February 2026, at Rudy-Rowland Funeral Home.  Brother Robert Duncan will officiate.  Burial will be in Cash Creek Cemetery.

     Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time Monday at the funeral home.

     Pallbearers will be Judy Harris, Kathy Alderson, Larry Alderson, Rick Alderson, Danny Alderson, Tommy Alderson, Micheal Dahm, Nathan Alderson, Lucas Alderson, and Tyler Alderson.

     Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the Cash Creek Cemetery Fund, 19113 State Route 1078 South, Henderson, Kentucky 42420.

     Online condolences may be made at www.rudyrowland.com.