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Betty Wilkirson Obituary
January 7, 1920 - April 13, 2022
Lexington, Kentucky - Betty Pugh Wilkirson,102, wife of the late James W. Wilkirson, died Wednesday at her home. Born in 1920 in Cleveland, OH, she was the daughter of Mary G. and Hayward N. Pugh. A resident of Lexington since 1939, she was a graduate of the University of Kentucky where she was the News Editor of The Kernel and a member of Alpha Lambda Delta, Cwens, Theta Sigma Phi and Mortar Board honorary societies, and served two terms as president of Alpha Xi Delta sorority. In 1943 she joined The Lexington Herald as the only woman on the news staff and was assigned the police beat throughout World War II. In 1952 she went to Charleston SC as a reporter on The News & Courier, twice winning the McKissick Cup. A member of First Presbyterian Church, she was an Elder and served as Clerk of Session for eight years. A past president of the Presbyterian Women of the church, she was named outstanding member in 1996. Survivors include daughter and son-in-law Mary Price and William J. Turner, and two sons, Hayward Steele Wilkirson and John Wesley Wilkirson, all of Lexington. Visitation will be Thurs., April 21 at Milward-Broadway from 5:00-8:00 PM. A private burial service at Lexington Cemetery will follow on Friday. Contributions may be made to the Lexington Humane Society. www.milwardfuneral.com
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Memories and Condolences
for Betty Wilkirson
Sponsored by Lexington Herald-Leader.
3 Entries
Betsy Johnson
April 21, 2022
Mrs. Wilkirson will be missed. What a fantastic life. Love to Mary, Hayward, and John.
Timothy Kuryla
April 18, 2022
Hayward, my condolence to you on the death of your mother.
Kirsten Freeman Fox, Ph.D.
April 18, 2022
To the Family of Betty Pugh Wilkirson
Please accept our sincere condolences on behalf of Mortar Board. Betty was a loyal life member and supporter. We were proud of her accomplishments in life, as we know her chapter at the University of Kentucky was. She brought honor to us all, and she will be missed.
With sincere sympathy,
Kristen Freeman Fox, PhD
Executive Director
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