Laura Frances Martin Huddleston Link

Published 11:20 am Wednesday, January 7, 2015

After an amazing life of 98½ years, Laura Frances Martin Huddleston Link died peacefully on Dec. 17, 2014. 

She was born to Joseph Thomas Martin and Mary Lee Ellis in Cave City, where she graduated from high school. Frances then attended Western Kentucky University where she earned her B.A. and M.Ed. Frances began teaching in a one-room school at the “Lee Seminary” outside of Cave City. She taught elementary students for over 20 years, ending her career at Dishman-McGinnis Elementary in Bowling Green, where she was revered by her students.

Frances thrived in public service, Democratic politics, leadership and golf. In practically every group, she eventually became an officer, if not the president. Some of the many groups that she belonged to include the Bowling Green Women’s Club, the DAR, the PTO, the Garden Club, the Democratic Women’s Club, the Retired Teachers’ Club, the Victoria Sunday school class at the First Baptist Church, the Pierian Literary Club and the BGCC Ladies Golf Association.

Frances lived in Bowling Green for over 65 years. In 2012, she moved to North Carolina to be near her daughter, Laura. In typical “Frances fashion,” she made friends instantly, started a bridge club and was always the life of the party.

Frances was preceded in death by her late husband, Thomas Link, and her former husband, Paul Huddleston; her sons, Joseph Huddleston and Philip Huddleston; her daughter-in law, Margaret Ryan Huddleston; her daughter, Mary Elizabeth Huddleston Rowe; and her granddaughter, Amy Elizabeth Rowe. Frances is survived by her son, Lee Huddleston of Bowling Green; daughter Laura Huddleston Snyder (Bill) of Raleigh, N.C.; daughter-in-law Heidi Huddleston of Bowling Green; stepsons Ted Link, Jonathan Link and David Link; granddaughters Johanna Towery (Gil), Lisa Loague, Kristina Huddleston, Cameron Lebedinsky (Alex), Robin Bartee (Chris), Elizabeth Snyder, Sarena Roberts (Anthony) and Tiphani Davis (Jesse); grandsons Will Snyder (Laurin), John Rowe (Sara) and Ryan Wermeling (Maddie); and many wonderful great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Frances’ life will be at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the First Baptist Church of Bowling Green. Visitation will be from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the church. Burial will be at 1 p.m. Sunday at Cave City Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that Frances be remembered by a donation to the First Baptist Church of Bowling Green, 621 E. 12th Ave., Bowling Green, KY 42101 or Transitions LifeCare, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607.

Arrangements have been entrusted to J.C. Kirby & Son, Lovers Lane chapel.