Arawana Asberry

Arawana B Asberry was the daughter of C. Pearl Burchfield and Bess F. Burchfield of White Lily, Kentucky. She graduated Pulaski County High School in May 1954 as a member of the National Honor Society.

After graduation, Arawana continued her education at Sue Bennett College and later Eastern Kentucky University. She qualified with top marks as a stenographer and typist with the US Civil Service Commission in May 1957 but chose a career in education. EKU is also where she met and married her husband of 58 years, C Hale Asberry. Arawana was accepted into the masters program at EKU but after the birth of her daughter Linda, they chose to ben live near family in Hale’s hometown of Albany Kentucky. Hale taught 6th grade and Arawana was a typing teacher at Clinton County High School. She became a vocational Teacher in 1969 and continued to typing, shorthand and other business courses as well as being a sponsor of the FBLA club. Hale and Arawana were members of the Concord United Methodist Church.

Many students remembered Arawana for her kindness and her smile as a teacher. Now teachers aren’t supposed to have favorites but when her daughter took typing she was probably the favorite student that year. Maybe not the best, but the favorite,

Arawana grew up on a farm and there was plenty of room for her many beloved animals. Her earliest photographs were with a cats, dogs, horses and even a pet crow who would beg for strawberries. Later she grew her own strawberries and baked pies for her friends and neighbors. She shared her love of music with her daughter. They know all the words to most movie musicals and the record player or radio was always on at their house. Arawan had a lovely voice and she would sing alto with her father most Sundays at church. She took square dance classes in college and even taught Linda to polka. Again, not the best but her favorite student. She loved her daughter so much she didn’t even complain when Linda decided to give her pet cats a makeover and used the entire tube of her favorite lipstick. Arawana spent hours sewing barbie clothes with tiny little buttons and zippers for her daughter. And she loved to play cards or games. Since Arawana was an only child her favorite card game was solitaire. But she didn’t get to play that very often until Linda went away to college. She was always her daughter’s biggest fan and her best friend throughout the years and Linda loved her with all her heart. 

Arawana slipped away peacefully Tuesday morning January 7 to join her husband and her family in heaven. If we are handing out grades, I can tell you that Arawana Asberry would get an A plus. She was a wonderful woman and she will be missed by everyone who knew her. 

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the loving caregivers of Arawana and also a special thanks to Hospice of Lake Cumberland.

The family requests that donations can be made to Hospice of Lake Cumberland instead of sending flowers to thank them for their compassion and help with Arawana. 

Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery.