Sallie K. Osborne

Sallie Kathryn Osborne, 84, passed away January 25, 2026, surrounded by family. She was born May 25, 1941, in Georgetown, KY. She was the daughter of the late George & Helen Covington Hughes. She received an RN degree from St. Joseph’s Nursing School in Lexington and was employed in the nursing profession for over 40 years. Her work history included St. Joseph’s Hospital, Eastern State Hospital, Comp Care as well as clinics for our veterans at the VA Hospital in Lexington. A well-known figure in the Kentucky Bluegrass Music community, she helped to found our family Bluegrass Festivals beginning at Woodland Park, Lexington, KY. in 1990. Over the next 35 years, she co-hosted over 65 multi-day, multi-band events including the Red Mile, the Red Mule, the JD Crowe and the New South Festival, the Roots Revue, the Moron Bros Full Circle Frolic and the 32-year Osborne Brothers Hometown Festival in Hyden, KY., among others. She also found great joy in helping to raise Labradoodles for service dogs in Findlay, Ohio. She is survived by her son, Norman Dean Osborne Jr. (Sarah) and two grandchildren: Jesse Dean Osborne and Royce Kathryn Osborne of Hyden, Ky. and daughter Dr. Carmela Gayle Osborne (LTC James Bell) of Findlay, Ohio, father of her children, Dr. Norman Dean Osborne (Linda) as well as a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and close friends. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Anne Langley and Mary Louise Sharp. Ms. Osborne will be remembered for her love and unwavering devotion to family and friends, especially to children Dean and Carmela and their families. She played an integral part in their lives and helped to make many dreams come true. Sallie had a wide variety of talents and interests. She was an avid reader that enjoyed anything old and antique, genealogy, decorating as well as greeting everyone at the festival gate, making them feel special and welcome. She also followed her grandchildren as a super fan of Leslie County sports. She was a member of Porter Memorial Baptist Church in Lexington. 

Visitation will be at Walker Funeral Home, 155 Hickory St, Hyden, KY. on Saturday, Feb.7 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM with the service following at 1:00. Rev. John Newell and Rev. Merle Caudill will be officiating. Dinner will be served at Central Presbyterian Church following the service. The burial will be private at Hurricane Cemetery. Pallbearers will be her son Dean Osborne, son-in-law James Bell, grandchildren: Jesse and Royce Osborne and John Culbertson. Honorary pallbearer is Richard Bennett. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Wounded Warriors Project, online through woundedwarriorproject.org, or by phone: 1 (888) 997-2586 … Or HCTC’s Kentucky School of Bluegrass and Traditional Music through the Leslie County Community Fund online at Leslie County Community Fund or by phone c/o Joel Brashear: 606-672-2344.