Source: Lawrence County Historical Society Journal
Website : http://www.lchsar.org
J.K. Sexton came to Walnut Ridge in 1878 from Virginia at the age of 24. He was employed by the A.W. Smith Drug Store for eight years. In 1886, he opened Sexton’s Drug Store.
In 1891, he married Mary Catherine Baber and they had six children: Oley, Joe, Eleanor, Pat, Rachel and Marion.
J.K. Sexton died in 1917 and Oley Sexton, who was attending pharmacy school in St. Louis, returned to manage the store.
In 1924, Joe Sexton left the pharmacy business and Pat Sexton joined Oley in the business, which was located on Northwest Front St., this began 44 years in the drug store business for Pat Sexton.
In 1937, Oley and Pat formed a partnership which continued until Oley’s death in 1949.
Sexton’s was sold to Bob Rainwater in 1968 and since the name Sexton is the oldest business in Walnut Ridge, Bob decided to keep the name along with the old slogan “Since 1886”
Bob Rainwater’s grandfather was Bob Cooper (Mose & Lizzie Rhea’s brother). When Bob Rainwater retired he sold Sexton’s to Stan Duckworth who still operates Sexton Drug Store today.
