OBITUARIES
Hyden, KY Obituaries
Local obituaries for the Hyden and Leslie County, KY areas
David Bailey
Aug 29, 2025
David Bailey, a cherished soul whose roots were firmly planted in the heart of Leslie County, KY, departed this world on August 29, 2025, at the age of 75. Born on December 23, 1949, he forged a path through life that was defined by resilience, warmth, and unwavering devotion to those he loved.
For 23 diligent years, David was a proud...
Vernell Lewis
Aug 28, 2025
Vernell Lewis, a beloved member of her community, passed away on August 28, 2025, at the Wells Hospice Center in Hazard, Kentucky. She was born on March 17, 1936, in Leslie County, Kentucky, to John Lewis and Emily Turner Lewis. Vernell was known for her friendly and warm personality, which left a lasting impression on all who had the pleasure...
Norma Shirley Simpson
Aug 27, 2025
Norma Shirley Simpson was born December 11, 1936 at Stinnett, Kentucky to the union of Pearl Smith and Oma Morgan Smith. Mrs. Simpson was of the Christian faith. She met and married the love of her life, Raymond Milton Simpson, with whom she shared 23 years of marriage. Shirley as she was called by her family and friends, was a...
Benny Lewis
Aug 21, 2025
Benny Lewis, born on August 10, 1941, in Yeaddiss, Kentucky, passed away on August 21, 2025, at the University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville, TN. He leaves behind a legacy marked by his unwavering work ethic and profound love for his family and community.
Benny was known for his commitment to his career as the owner of a trucking company and...
James Wilbert Turner
Aug 20, 2025
Mr. James Wilbert Turner of Nicholasville, Kentucky departed this life on August 20, 2025 at St. Joseph Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. He was 55 years old. He was born March 24, 1970 in Hazard, Kentucky to Ned and Lillian Rose Overstreet Turner. He was a truck driver of nearly 35 years. He enjoyed preaching the gospel many of those years...
Jerry Kyle Hensley
Aug 20, 2025
Jerry Kyle Hensley, a cherished member of the Hyden community, passed away peacefully on August 20, 2025, at the age of 72 in Wooton, Kentucky. He was born on September 24, 1952, in Hyden, where he grew up and later established himself as a devoted son, father, brother, and grandfather.
Jerry was a proud high school graduate who dedicated a significant...
Jeremy Sizemore
Aug 19, 2025
Jeremy Sizemore, a beloved son, brother, and friend, passed away on August 19, 2025, in Roark, Kentucky. He was born on September 25, 1985, in Clay County, Kentucky, and he spent his early years surrounded by the natural beauty of the outdoors that shaped him.
Although Jeremy completed the 9th grade, his education extended far beyond academics. He had a passion...
Denver Lewis, Jr.
Aug 16, 2025
Denver Lewis, Jr., a cherished husband, father, brother, and grandfather, passed away peacefully at his home in Bledsoe, Kentucky, on August 16, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was 78 years old Denver was .born on December 7, 1946, in Leslie County, Kentucky, he was a life-long resident of Leslie and Harlan Counties where he dedicated much of his...
Ula North Gross
Aug 14, 2025
Ula Gross, was born on January 2, 1944, in Leslie County, Kentucky. She passed away peacefully on August 14, 2025, at the Hazard ARH Medical Center in Hazard, Kentucky. She was 81 years old. Ula was a cherished homemaker whose life was marked by her unwavering devotion to her family and her community.
As a member the Full Gospel Church of...
Robert Ohmit
Aug 13, 2025
Robert Ohmit, born on January 13, 1951, in Leslie County, Kentucky, passed away on August 13, 2025, in Oneida, Kentucky. A skilled mechanic and auto body repairman by trade, Robert was known for his impressive expertise, having previously worked at Fred Barnes Body Shop in Hyden, KY. His pride in his work was evident in each auto body restoration he...
Harvey Madden, Jr.
Aug 12, 2025
Harvey Madden, Jr., a beloved father, grandfather, and friend, passed away on August 12, 2025, at Mary Breckinridge Hospital in Hyden, Kentucky. He was 54. He was born on March 6, 1971, in Illinois, and grew to be a dedicated individual who touched the lives of many through his work and passions.
A proud veteran of the U.S. Army, Harvey exemplified...
Lucille "Lu" Smith Caldwell
Aug 8, 2025
Lucille “Lu” Smith Caldwell, of Lebanon Jct., KY, at the age of 77 departed this life on Friday, August 8, 2025. She was born on Thursday, May 13, 1948, in Stinnett, KY to the late Roy and Rose (Collett) Smith.
Lu was a member of the Calvary Holiness Church in Brooks, KY. She was a hard worker and retired from the...
Ernest Forester Slusher
Aug 7, 2025
Ernest Forester Slusher, a devoted family man and former coal miner, passed away on August 7, 2025, at the St. Joseph Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky, at the age of 74. Born on December 21, 1950, he embraced life with an infectious humor and an outgoing spirit that warmed the hearts of all who knew him.
Ernest was not just known for...
Janet Lou Slusher
Aug 6, 2025
Janet Lou Slusher, born on February 8, 1962, in Beverly, Kentucky, passed away peacefully at her residence on August 6, 2025. Janet was known not only for her professional accomplishments as a Finance Director for Red Bird Mission, but also for her unwavering dedication to her family and friends.
She is survived by her son, Travis Slusher and his wife Melanie of...
Thelma Ruth Stidham
Aug 4, 2025
Thelma Ruth (Ratliff) Stidham
November 20, 1937 — August 4, 2025
On Monday, August 4, 2025, Thelma Ruth (Ratliff) Stidham, age 87, died peacefully at her home in Dayton, OH. She was surrounded by family and cradled in love from those near and far.
Thelma was born November 20, 1937 in Hyden, KY to the late Dona (Johnson) and John Ratliff. She and...
Louise Warford
Aug 4, 2025
Louise Warford, a devoted homemaker and cherished family member, passed away peacefully on August 4, 2025, at her residence. Born on March 31, 1941, in Leslie County, Kentucky, Louise lived a life filled with love, creativity, and warmth.
Throughout her life, Louise displayed an extraordinary dedication to her family, nurturing and supporting them in every endeavor. She found joy in the...
Corey Andrew Whittaker
Jul 31, 2025
Corey Andrew Whittaker, born July 18, 1987, the son of Rebecca Key Adams & Andrew Whittaker, passed away at his residence in Wooton, KY. on July 31, 2025 at the age of 38. Corey had been a resident of Leslie County since the age of 12 and was a graduate of Leslie County High School. Corey was a self employed...
Carl Barnes
Jul 29, 2025
*Courtesy Obituary*
Carl Barnes, age 84 of Sizerock, Kentucky passed away peacefully at his home with family present on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. Carl was a lifelong resident of Sizerock, Kentucky except for a period where he and his wife Mary Esther lived in South Lebanon, Ohio while working at GE. Carl owned his own business, Barnes Auto Sales where he...
Randall Keith Cobb
Jul 27, 2025
Randall Keith Cobb, born on May 7, 1976, in Dayton, Ohio, and a beloved member of the London, Kentucky community, passed away peacefully at his residence on July 27, 2025. He was 49 years old. He was a devoted family man, a successful entrepreneur, and a cherished friend to many.
Randall's journey through life was marked by substantial accomplishments. He proudly...
Carole Smith
Jul 25, 2025
Carole Ann Smith, 57, of Hyden, Kentucky, passed away peacefully on July 25, 2025, Hospice of Hazard, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Carole was born on August 29, 1967, in Dayton, Ohio. She was a devoted mother, a proud daughter, a loving sister, and a true animal lover. Her greatest joy in life was her son, Anthony Braden of Hyden,...
