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Former Winchester Sun publisher Betty Berryman’s dedication to community journalism leaves a lasting legacy that this newspaper strives to preserve.
Berryman’s funeral service is at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 31, at the Scobee Funeral Home’s chapel with burial following the service at Clairmont Memorial Gardens.

After Berryman passed away peacefully Dec. 25 at her home, local leaders and many former and current employees spoke about the kind of person she was.

“She was committed to the newspaper and knew how important it is for our community. She always strove for excellence and she was a great leader,” said Terah Hatton, a longtime employee and the Sun’s circulation manager.

Sun photographer James Mann, now retired, said Berryman transformed the newspaper from manual production to being computerized in layout and design.

“Betty was such a sweet person and very good for the paper,” he said. “She was a progressive thinker who moved the paper forward in many ways.”
Berryman was the first female president of the KPA in 1986 and was one of the first female press association presidents in the nation. Berryman was inducted into the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame in 1996. She was KPA treasurer for three years and was named as most valuable member three times.

“Betty was the kind of individual who commanded respect from newspaper folk, publishers, owners, editors — all granted her the respect she deserved. Everyone thought so much of Betty,” Kentucky Press Association Executive Director David Thompson said.

Sun Publisher Kevin Smith added, “We mourn the death of a local leader in journalism and a pioneer for women at a time when men dominated the workplace. Her contributions will not be forgotten.”

These tributes to Berryman are important because they establish a gold standard for the Winchester Sun to uphold not only in journalism, but with our commitment to the community.

To ensure that Berryman’s legacy echoes an eternity, we need to redouble our efforts to provide the best newspaper we can for Clark County. Toward that end, we challenge ourselves to do a better job connecting with our readers. We strive to publish stories that not only inform citizens, but to connect our community to the news of the day so that Winchester doesn’t become one of those soulless places that’s a dot on a map where no one knows or cares about what’s going on their backyard.

Let’s be candid — newspapers are struggling in many places, however, the Sun endures because of Berryman’s dedication to duty. Sun’s employees past and present are a testament to that spirit.

Since 1878, the Sun has been chronicling the people and places of Clark County — 52 years or nearly a third of that 144 years of that time with Berryman serving the newspaper and working as publisher between 1988 and 2006. Newspaper has won accolades from the community and state press association. We’ve covered big stories and small matters with each drop of ink printed onto the page and posted onto the web page at winchestersun.com

Inspired by Berryman’s example, we pledge to continue to honor her commitment to journalism and the community by embracing her ideals in a new era that includes not only our print edition, but our growing web presence.

Rest in Peace Mrs. Berryman.