Barbara Straus

Barbara Straus, 98, passed away in the early morning of Monday, July 12, 2021, after a valiant fight against dementia. Barbara was born on March 29, 1923 in Paris, Kentucky to the late A. Barnett and Maree (Moses) Winters.

Barbara was a graduate of Paris High School and later obtained her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky. She wed Eugene H. Straus on June 15, 1947 and together, they celebrated 63 years of marriage until his passing on July 12, 2010.

She worked at the University of Kentucky prior to her marriage.  With the birth of her first child she embarked on a loving and wonderful career of mother, wife and homemaker.  She enjoyed traveling with her family, reading, and was dedicated to her hobby of needlepointing.  She was a Past President of the Temple Adath Israel Sisterhood.  She was active on MNEMCO (Lexington’s first beautification committee and was very instrumental behind the scenes for the founding of the Lexington Deaf Oral School, now the Hearing and Speech Center, and served for many years of the Board of Directors.  She also enjoyed a later career as a volunteer at the Kentucky Horse Park, a docent at the Mary Todd Lincoln House, John Hunt Morgan House, and at Henry Clay’s home Ashland.  She also enjoyed several years at the Visitor Information desk at Visit Lex (Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau). 

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Bill (Sherry Zimmerman) Straus and Betty (Ed) Smith and grandchildren, Michael Kern (Abbi Gee) and Cindy (Ryan) Stein and her step grandsons John Zimmerman and Emmett Gee.

Visitation for Barbara will be from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm Wednesday, July 14^th at Milward – Broadway located at 159 N. Broadway, Lexington. Service will begin at 11:00 am, Thursday, July 15^th at the funeral home with interment to follow in Lexington Cemetery.

In honor of her legacy and in lieu of flowers, the family would like memorial contributions directed to The Winters Fund at The Hearing and Speech Center or to Temple Adath Israel Sisterhood.

To share a remembrance of Barbara or offer condolences to her family, please visit milwardfuneral.com.