Wilma Jean Updike

Wilma Jean Barnes Updike of Dry Ridge, KY. passed away Saturday, October 29 at her residence at the age of 79.  Wilma was born May 12, 1943 in Kenton County, KY to the late Cecil and Dorothy Brewer Barnes and she was the eldest of 8 children.

Wilma was retired from the Grant County School System where she worked for many years in cafeterias including the Dry Ridge Elementary School where she made many life-long friends.  She was a member of the Bethany Baptist Church.  In addition to her school employment she worked at the old Halfway House Restaurant in Williamstown.  There she served many local guests and tourists who came in on the bus from out of town.  She was also employed by Helton's Meat Processing Plant.  Wilma had a passion for sewing and made many clothes for her family and would create gifts for friends.  She loved God and shared Bible stories with many children over the years as she taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible School.  She loved Christmas music which could be heard around the house all year round.  She watched a lot of movies; "The Sound of Music" was one of her favorites.  Was Elvis in her house? Absolutely!  Wilma enjoyed cooking for others and her grandchildren would say she fixed the best pancakes and fried apple pies.  Her brother Donnie agrees with that!

In addition to her parents, Wilma was preceded in death by a brother: Lenuel Barnes and sisters: Kathleen Moak, Carol McCreary, Sue Ellis and Mary Lonkard.

On September 30, 1961 she was united in marriage to Marvin J. Updike and she is survived by her husband of 61 years.  She is also survived by 4 daughters: Lisa Conrad and her husband Ronald of Dry Ridge, KY, Marcia Mongelli and her husband William of Harrodsburg, KY, Lori Knarr and her husband Paul of Dry Ridge, KY, Sally Hunt and her husband Craig of Burlington, KY, 5 grandchildren: Justin (Karla) Knarr, Andrew Tripp, Lauren Ramey and her husband Sam, Alexis Knarr, Landyn Knarr, 2 brothers: Donald Barnes and his wife Darlene of Corinth, KY, Brent Barnes of Grant County, KY.

Graveside services and burial for Wilma will be conducted Wednesday, Nov. 2 at 1:00 PM at the New Vine Run Cemetery, Warsaw Road, Dry Ridge, KY with Rev. Howard Chipman and Rev. Donald Kannady officiating.

The Eckler-McDaniel Funeral Home of Dry Ridge, KY has been entrusted with the arrangements for Mrs. Updike.

Memorial contributions may be made in Wilma's memory to:  Samaritan's Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC  28607 or Bethany Baptist Church, 7710 Lawrenceville Rd, Williamstown, KY  41097.