Clara Jenelle Oakley Dearen, 85, Lexington
Clara Jenelle Oakley Dearen, 85, of Lexington, died Friday, March 2, 2012. She was born to Dr. William J. Oakley and Clara Wells Oakley. Growing up in Bardstown as the only daughter amid three brothers gave her spirit and privilege. Her strawberry-blonde hair caught the sun as often as her eyes twinkled with mischief.
Love found Jenelle early, as a freshman at Bardstown High School, from which she graduated in 1944 after serving as Cheerleader, Majorette and Drum Major. After a year at Columbia College in Missouri, she married her high school sweetheart, W.H. Dearen. Together they traveled the world and enjoyed nearly 60 years of bowling, golf, miniatures, bridge, bingo and friends and families.
She was active in the church and communities of Bardstown, Danville and Lexington in Kentucky, Arlington Heights and Decatur in Illinois, Ft. Myers,Fla. and Saskatoon,Canada. She was a lifetime member of Beta Sigma Phi and lifelong Southern Baptist, Jenelle knew Christ as her savior and is rejoicing with Him know, reunited with the love of her life, family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, W.H. Dearen; and a brother, Dr. Bill Oakley.
Survivors include three daughters, Donna (Keith) Reyher of Niceville, Fla, Doris (Bill) Settles of Lexington, Denise (Martin) McCrorey of Plano, Texas; two brothers, Dr. John (Dolores) Oakley of Bardstown, and Dr. Joseph (Mary) Oakley of Worcester, Mass.; five grandchildren, Dr. Kristen Reyher (Jonathan) Capon of Prince Edward Island, Canada, Dr. Burr (Natalie) Settles of Pittsburgh, Pa., Trey (Alexandria) Reyher of Arlington, Va., Conner McCrorey and Cathlyn McCrorey of Plano, Texas; and one great-grandson Benjamin Tobias Capon of Prince Edward Island, Canada.
A service at Bardstown Cemetery is planned for 11 a.m. Monday, March 12, 2012, followed by a celebration luncheon at Bourbon City Bistro in Bardstown. Memorials are requested to Hospice of the Bluegrass in Lexington,Kentucky.
Barlow Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. For more information please visit http://www.barlowfh.com/.
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