Local obituaries for Hyden, KY & Leslie County
Carolyn Shepherd
Mar 10, 2026
Carolyn Shepherd, 79, of Smilax, KY, departed this life on March 10, 2026, in Wooton, KY. Carolyn was born on April 26, 1946, to the union of the late Emry and Cindy Burns Hacker.
Carolyn took great pride in maintaining a pristine yard and garden. While gardening was a hobby she enjoyed, it carried on with her nurturing spirt as a...
Earnest R. (Big E) Collett
Mar 5, 2026
Earnest R. Collett, lovingly known by his friends and family as "Big E", of Roark, Kentucky, passed away on March 5, 2026, at Baptist Health in Lexington, Kentucky. He was born on May 17, 1945, in Roark, Kentucky to the late Charlie and Laura Napier Collett.
Earnest's career began at a young age when he started driving a truck, initially for...
Kathryn E. Madden
Mar 2, 2026
Kathryn E. Madden, 59, of Wooton, KY, departed this life on March 2, 2026, in Hazard, KY. Kathryn was born August 2, 1966, to the union of the late Harrison and Zella Woods Kilburn.
Kathryn was a loving wife and mother and cherished her time spent with family, especially her grandchildren. She enjoyed cooking and sewing in her free time. Kathryn...
Theadore "Teddy" Scott Barber
Feb 26, 2026
Theadore "Teddy" Scott Barber, 46, of Hazard, Kentucky born on December 6, 1979 to the late Clayton & Diane Barber. Teddy passed away peacefully on February 26, 2026, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky.
Teddy possessed a great sense of humor and was known as a people person, always bringing joy and laughter to those around him. He had a...
Betty Jean Melton
Feb 25, 2026
Betty Jean Melton, born on April 16, 1962, in Leslie County, Kentucky, to the late Charles and Corsie Lewis Mullins, entered into the presence of the Lord on February 25, 2026, at the Greg & Noreen Wells Hospice Care Center in Hazard, Kentucky at the age of 63.
Jean was a loving and devoted wife to her husband Mike Melton, whom...
Bernadine Morgan
Feb 23, 2026
Bernadine (Smith) Morgan, 83, of London, Kentucky, passed away on Monday, February 23, 2026 at Laurel Heights Home for the Elderly.
Born on September 19, 1942 in Leslie County, Kentucky, Bernadine was the daughter of the late Pearl and Susie (Hacker) Smith. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, sister, and friend whose life was centered around her family and...
Mallie Cress
Feb 19, 2026
Mallie Turner Cress, a devoted wife, treasured mother, and loving Mamaw was born October 15, 1958 to the union of George Turner and Cora Boggs Turner. She was a life-long resident of Leslie County and resided in Yeaddiss, KY. She retired after 38 years of working in the cafeteria for the Leslie County school system. She fed generations of families...
Ronald Keith Braden
Jan 10, 2026
Ronald Keith Braden, 62, passed away at his residence in Hyden, Kentucky, on January 10, 2026. Born on October 14, 1963, in Lake City, Tennessee, he led a life characterized by hard work, passion, and a deep love for his family and friends.
A graduate of Walter E. Stebbins High School in Riverside, Ohio, Ronald embarked on a career as a...
Donna Lynn Jackson
Jan 2, 2026
Donna Lynn Jackson, 51, of Manchester, KY, departed this life on January 02, 2026 at her residence. Donna was born January 12, 1974 in Cincinnati, Ohio to the union of the late Wayne Liford and Connie Burton.
A loving homemaker, mother, and partner, Donna's life was marked with a great love for her family. Cherishing the time spent with her...
Justin Reed Nance
Dec 29, 2025
Justin Reed Nance, 42, of Hardinsburg, KY, former resident of Leslie County departed this life on December 29, 2025 in McDaniels, KY after injuries sustained in an accident. Justin was born January 28, 1983 to the late Gary Reed "Sparky" Nance and the late Donna Pace Nance.
Justin enjoyed music, playing guitar, and fishing. Above all, Justin enjoyed spending time with...
Roscoe Eversole
Dec 19, 2025
Roscoe Eversole, a beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away on December 19, 2025, at the Hazard A.R.H. Medical Center in Hazard, Kentucky, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on May 21, 1953, in Hyden, Kentucky, the middle child of the late McGrew and Laura Rose Eversole.
Roscoe was a talented carpenter with a hard work ethic. He...
Jerry Eversole
Dec 18, 2025
Jerry Eversole, of Metamora, IN, former longtime resident of Hyden, KY, was born on June 29, 1956, in Confluence, Kentucky, the loving son of McGrew and Laura Rose Eversole. He married Joyce Anna Harris on June 29, 1975, in Richmond, Indiana, and together they raised three wonderful sons.
Their love story began at a young age, starting as pen pals after...
Jennifer Lynn Chappell
Dec 7, 2025
Jennifer Lynn Chappell was born on August 18, 1985 in Hyden, Kentucky. Described as one who loved fiercely and had the heart of a servant, ready to help anyone at any given time. Love is what truly describes her ever being, from her family that was so very special, to animals that brought her immense joy.
She grew up surrounded by...
Michael Arthur Lawson
Dec 5, 2025
Michael Arthur Lawson of North Port, AL, former life-long resident of Leslie County was born June 03, 1971 in Hyden, Kentucky to the union of Frances Jones Lawson and the late Jimmy Arthur Lawson.
A life marked by dedication to his family and his career. Michael worked for more than ten years in the lumber business as a skilled lumber grader....
Earl Wayne Johnson
Nov 30, 2025
Earl Wayne Johnson was born in Hyden, Kentucky on April 14, 1953, to the late Earl and Gladys Roberts Johnson. Known for his outgoing and unforgettable personality, he exemplified true character. He was a man of a great sense of humor and lighthearted teasing.
A United States Veteran, Earl Wayne served honorably in the United States Army, as a Private First...
Katherine Asher
Nov 27, 2025
Katherine A. Asher, of Hyden, Kentucky was born on October 19, 1964, in Leslie County, Kentucky to the union of the late Cova & Lula Baker Asher. She filled her years with joy, commitment, and an unwavering love for her family.
Katherine devoted many years of her life to education, working as a Secretary for the Leslie County Board of Education...
Doyle Troy Bowling
Nov 18, 2025
Doyle Dean "Troy" Bowling, age 68, of Hyden, Kentucky, departed this life on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, in Hazard, Kentucky. Doyle was born on March 3, 1957, in Beverly, Kentucky, to the late Raymond and Mary Feltner Bowling.
Throughout his life, Doyle enjoyed cooking, fishing, watching westerns and gardening in his free time. He enjoyed fast cars but overall he thoroughly...
Sandra Lynn Nantz Stidham
Nov 13, 2025
Sandra Lynn Nantz Stidham, passed away peacefully at her residence on November 13, 2025, at the age of 61. Born on January 2, 1965, in Leslie County, Kentucky, she lived a life marked by love, dedication, and service. She was born to the union of the late Julis Nantz and the late Effie Sullivan Nantz.
Sandra's journey through life was defined...
Geneva Boggs
Nov 8, 2025
Geneva Williams Boggs, age 90, of Polls Creek Road in Smilax, Kentucky, passed peacefully from this life on November 8, 2025, at the Greg and Noreen Wells Hospice Center in Hazard, Kentucky—just one day before her 91st birthday.
Born on November 9, 1934, in Leslie County, Kentucky, she was the daughter of the late Oley and Mollie Williams. Geneva was a...
Ellirose Sophia Foreman
Oct 24, 2025
Infant Ellirose Sophia Foreman, daughter of Aaron Foreman and Ami Hoskins of Slemp, Ky passed away at the Hazard A.R.H. Medical Center.
She is survived by her parents; maternal grandparents Russell & Carla Hoskins of Wooton, Ky; paternal grandparents James & Tammy Wilson of Helton, Ky and Stanley Simpson & Carol Smith; siblings Matthew Wilson, Annalise Wilson, Kinsleigh Davidson, and Porche...
