Whitley City — Kathy Brannon, age 57 of Pine Knot, passed away on Thursday, August 19, 2010, at Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital in Somerset, Kentucky.

    A memorial service will be held on Sunday, August 22, 2010, at 3:00 p.m., in the chapel of Pine Knot Funeral Home with Fr. Mike Ramler officiating.  The family will receive friends on Sunday after 1:00 p.m. until time for services at the funeral home.

    Kathy was born in Maysville, Kentucky, on January 29, 1953.  She was the daughter of the late Edward and Mary Margaret Griffith Brannon.  Her parents have preceded her in passing.

    Survivors include two sons, Kyle Brannon and his wife Casey of Bowling Green, Kentucky, and Tyler Brannon of Pine Knot.

    There are four brothers, Charles Edward Brannon and his wife Clara, Timothy Joseph Brannon and his wife Lisa, Mark Brannon, and John Richard Brannon and his wife Stephanie all of Maysville, Kentucky.  She has one sister, Jane Brannon and her husband Jay Richardson of Lexington, Kentucky.

    Kathy graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1975 with a B.S. in Home Economics-Nutrition and Food Science.  She received her Master’s in Management and Family Economics in 1995.

    Kathy had recently retired from the University of Kentucky where she served as the Family and Consumer Science Agent for the McCreary County Extension office.  She had been the agent for more than 33 years.  She had joint responsibility for the 4-H Program as well.

    Kathy’s work in developing and directing the Home Economics Extension Program for McCreary County included organizing and working with numerous homemaker groups, special interest groups, and low income families to improve nutrition, health and family living.  In particular she enjoyed working with the McCreary County Basket Guild, Lake Cumberland Heritage Skills, 4-H Camp, 4-H Project Week, Sew Much Comfort (retrofitting clothing for wounded veterans), and the Master Clothing Volunteers. 

    Kathy was very active in community activities and organizations including McCreary Fest, the McCreary County Fair Board, the McCreary County Health Fair, the McCreary County Chamber of Commerce, Leadership McCreary County, the McCreary County Development Association, the Cancer Coalition, the Thursday Lunch Bunch, the Spay and Neuter Clinic and the Women’s Health Group. 

    Kathy was an active member of the Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Whitley City and served as Church Treasurer for many years. 

    Kathy was a talented artist, gifted at painting, quilting, basket-weaving and crafting of all varieties. 

    In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Lake Cumberland, the American Cancer Society or the McCreary County Christian Care Center.

    Pine Knot Funeral Home is assisting the family of Kathy Brannon in her funeral arrangements.