Loretta Edith Short Link

Loretta Edith Short Link, 91, of Paducah, Kentucky, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 9, 2025 at her residence surrounded by her family.

 Loretta was born on February 7, 1934, in Salem, Missouri to Roman and Sue Wesmolan Short. She attended Lexington, Missouri public schools and was a majorette in the Lexington High School Marching Band. She also helped maintain her family’s restaurant “Main Steet Café” in downtown Lexington. Years later she worked for “S&K” Industries.

 She married James “Jr” Barnes in 1954 and raised their three children on South Street in Lexington. She later moved to Paducah, Kentucky where “Slick” married William “Bill” Link on September 30, 1995. They enjoyed spending time at Kentucky Lake, traveling, and antiquing.

 Loretta will be remembered for her compassionate heart, kindness for animals (especially her Boston Terrier Sophie), and love of family. Loretta was a beloved baby sitter to many families in the Lexington, Missouri community.

 She is survived by her husband, William “Bill” Link of Paducah; a son, James Barnes and his wife, Mary Anne of Blue Springs, Missouri; a daughter, Tambra Wisdom of Paducah; two step daughers, Stephanie Desecki and her husband, Jared of Brookfield, Illinois, and Katie Bledsoe and her husband, Tim of Paducah; a step-son, Andrew Link of Elkmont, Alabama; seventeen grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren; a sister, Leslie “Sugar” Baugus of Paducah; a friend, Hattie Ussery of Oak Grove, Missouri; several nieces and nephews.

 She was preceded in death by her parents, Roman M. and Sue Wesmolan Short Bradford; a son, Danny Lee Barnes; two sisters, Jean Gaines and Brenda Wood; two brothers, Norman Short and Ivan Short; the father to her three children, James “Jr” Barnes; and many dear family members and friends.

 Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, February 14, 2025 at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.

 Visitation will be held from 12:00 pm until the service hour of 2:00 pm on Friday, February 14, 2025 at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah.

 Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105.