Arlene Waddle Shearer

Arlene Waddle Shearer, 88, of Somerset, Kentucky, died Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at Somerwoods

Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. She was born on July 8, 1937, in Somerset, Kentucky, to parents Dewey P. and Elizabeth "Tommye" Ping Waddle.

When her future husband, Max Shearer, moved to Somerset from Monticello in 1952, one of the first people he met was Arlene; they began dating at the age of fourteen and married in August 1957.

At the time of his death in 2024, they had been married 67 years. They have two children, Lynn

Shearer, of Somerset, and Ralph A. Shearer, of Brighton, Colorado. Arlene was a charter member of Grace Baptist Church, and she loved her church and its ministers.

Arlene sang in the choir and was a faithful Sunday School member. She also enjoyed volunteering in the church office when asked.

As her children were growing up, Arlene was a stay-at-home mom who volunteered each year to be a "Homeroom Mom" for both Lynn and Ralph. She was always ready and willing to pitch in as chaperone for all school and church trips. She really loved being a mother, and her children were truly blessed to have her. In addition, Arlene greatly enjoyed visiting with friends. She was a very kind person who enjoyed helping people, and she could talk with any stranger she met.
Arlene enjoyed traveling with Max after he retired. They visited 47 of the contiguous 48 states, somehow missing Rhode Island. Whenever possible, they enjoyed visiting the state capitals of each state. Arlene also enjoyed playing sports in her younger days; at the age of fifty, she was still playing as catcher on two separate women's softball teams. Arlene enjoyed reading, and found special joy in knitting and doing cross stitch, and she enjoyed playing bridge.

Besides her children, Arlene is survived by brother-in-law Martin (Libby) Shearer, sister-in-law Jan Waddle, nieces Cathy W. Smith, Ellen Waddle, and Suzanne Shearer, and nephews Paul (Rhonda) Baker, Mark (Shelley) Baker, and Tim (Tammy) Baker. Arlene was preceded in death by her husband, parents, in-laws Ralph M. and Mildred Shearer, brother Terry Waddle, sisters-in-law Ida Lee Waddle and Gaynelle Baker, and nephew Dick Baker.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Grace Baptist Church, 340 Oak Leaf Lane, in Somerset. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until the start of the service. Dr. Todd Meadows will officiate. Pallbearers will be Paul Baker, Mark Baker, Tim Baker, David Murray, Mark Fothergill, and Harrison "Hotdog" Childers. She will be buried next to her husband in Somerset City Cemetery.

Arlene's children would like to thank the nurses and aides who work on the second and third floors at Somerwoods Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for taking such wonderful care of their mother during the last several years of her life. We never worried about her because we knew she was in capable hands. Thank you for loving her.

Pulaski Funeral Home is honored to assist the family with arrangements.