Frances G. Barton Cadenhead

Frances Cadenhead passed from this life Thursday, June 14, 2007. Frances Barton Cadenhead was born March 17, 1922 to Horatio (Rash), and Lula Mary Jones Hardwick in Cleaton (Muhlenberg County) Kentucky. While Lula was seven months pregnant with Frances, she held her firstborn child, 18-month-old Ariel Denver, in her arms as he passed away from spinal meningitis. Rash was a skilled stonecutter and fashioned a beautiful headstone in remembrance. In 1923 the family moved to Sarasota, Florida for a time where Rash was employed as a stonecutter and mason for the construction of the famous Cad D'zan, the John Ringling Mansion. The young family then moved to Denver because Rash had contracted TB and it was hoped the clear, high mountain air would prove a cure. Frances became her mother's treasure, her gift from God. When Frances was nine years old her 19-year-old stepbrother, Dennis Warren Hardwick was unexpectedly killed. During the Great Depression, when Frances was 12 years old, TB took her father. Times were very hard and the memory of standing in a food line at Safeway was an experience she would never get over. Her concern and generosity for the poor, the hungry and animals became one the hallmarks of her life. She and her mother were faithful members of the Sherman Street Church of Christ, a church family who reached out in their time of need. Lula became a housekeeper for Lawrence Logue, a widower in the church, whom she later married. He was a quiet and gentle man who became their beloved "Pa". She graduated from Edgewater Colorado High School in 1939 where she was Valedictorian and School Queen. Coming out of the depression she wanted clothes, a car and a life. Passing up a full Scholarship to Colorado Women's College she opted to go to Business College and go to work. On one of her trips back to Kentucky to visit her family she met, fell in love and later married the love of her life, Charles Lee Barton July 9, 1941. In 1943 their daughter Darlene was born while he was in pilot training in San Francisco, California. In 1944 1st Lieutenant Charles Lee Barton, a U.S. Army Air Corps Pilot was killed in a plane crash. Frances returned to Denver to live with her mother and Pa. She was continually active in the church of Christ as a Bible Class Teacher and willing benevolence worker. With only a brief period when she married H. Cadenhead before he died, she remained with her mother until she died of Alzheimer's disease in 1988. After the war, Frances began to work with the U.S. Geological Service, the U.S. Forest Service and the Air Force. For several years she rode a bus daily to Colorado Springs working in the development of what was to become the Air Force Academy. She later transferred to the Internal Revenue Service in Denver. As IRS expanded she moved to the new Austin Service Center and into mid management in the technical division. She received many awards and commendations for her conscientious work with taxpayers, communicative skills training and office organizational skills. She was instrumental in the establishment of the Alzheimer's Disease Association in Austin along with the associated caregiver support group program. She retired in 1982 due to the failing health of her mother. A faithful and conscientious member of the Cameron Road Church of Christ, she helped establish a work with the poor in Manor, Texas where she often attended as a supporter and Bible Class Teacher. She moved with her mother to Abilene in 1982 to be near her daughter Frances Darlene Barton Ashby. For several years she worked as administrative assistant for the Industrial Technology Department at Abilene Christian University. She loved the faculty and students and still wears with pride the Sigma Tau Epsilon watch they awarded her. Soon after she arrived she also helped found the Abilene Alzheimer's Association and Support Group for caregivers. She made many speeches and presentations on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders at ACU, UT, many nursing homes and civic groups. Frances was a frequent volunteer for hospice when a program was first organized in Abilene. She enjoyed her membership in Senior Partner's where she was recognized as volunteer of the Year in 1997. As a member of the University Church of Christ she has been a strong supporter of ministries to the poor and hungry through the Christian Service Center, Haitian Christian Foundation and Salvation Army. She is survived by her beloved daughter and son-in-law Frances Darlene and Dr. Jon Ashby of Abilene, her grandsons Bart Ashby of Lewisville, Texas, Bret Ashby with wife Julie, great grandson Christian Lee Ashby, her pride and joy, of San Marcos, Texas, and niece Julie Ashby of Amarillo. Many loving cousins in Kentucky also survive her. Pallbearers are Don Campbell, Dr. Charlie Marler, Dr. Jerry Drennan, Dr. Alvie Davis, Lane Herttenburger, Marshall Keller, and Wilber Hall. Viewing and visitation will be from 6:30 to 8:00 pm on Friday, June 15 in the chapel at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. The funeral will be held Saturday June 16, 2007 at 2:00 pm at the University Church of Christ with Derrick Bam, Willard Tate, Dr. Bob Scott and Dr. Jon Ashby officiating. Graveside services will be at 10:00 am on Tuesday, June 19 in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Central City, Kentucky where she will lay beside her husband, her long lost love, Charles Lee Barton. The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:00 pm on Monday, June 18 at Tucker Funeral Home, 113 North 3rd Street, Central City, Kentucky 42330. Memorials may be sent to The Christian Service Center, Haitian Christian Foundation, the Salvation Army local Relief Programs or Rescue the Animals. The family wishes to express a special thanks to Dr. Hirsh, Pat, and the nursing staff of Hendrick Hospice Care.