Karen Adkins Epling

Karen Adkins Epling, 65, of Olive Hill, was set free Sunday, Jan. 19, at UK Good Samaritan Hospital in Lexington, KY, after fiercely fighting a prolonged illness.

Redeemed by the blood of Our Savior, Karen was a member of Hopewell Methodist Church in Grayson, KY, where she especially enjoyed Bible study and fellowship with her church family.

Born to the late James and Mary Jane Adkins in Ashland, KY, she was better known as “Miss. Karen” to hundreds of children during her 20+ years as director and pre-school teacher at ABC Childcare and Learning Center in Olive Hill, KY.

Often serving underprivileged children, Miss. Karen’s heart and even home were a place of refuge, gentleness and hope to any and all, where she instilled the values of family and integrity - accepting nothing less than one’s best efforts.

Passionate for early childhood intervention and learning milestones, she poured herself into the needs of others and often sacrificed herself to ensure each person she met was left better than she had found them.

In addition to her parents, she was greeted in heaven by four brothers, Carl (Laverne) Adkins, Jerry (Joyce) Adkins, Harold (Gail) Adkins and Ronnie (Odie) Adkins; two sisters, Diean (Kenny) Pierce and Debra Hensley; childhood friend Krista Jean Melton; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Those left to navigate her loss include her husband of 49 years, James “Pete” Epling; one son, Eddie (Leigh) Epling, of Morehead, KY; two daughters, Mandy (Braydon) Haas, of La Grange, KY, and Mary Jane Epling, of Westwood, KY; two grandsons, Drew and Jacob Epling, of Morehead; one sister, Anita (Chuck) Daniels, of Ashland; three brother-in-laws, Jerry (Bunni) Epling, of Worthington, KY, and Paul Hensley, of Ashland, Rick (Linda) Epling of Ashland, KY; and one grandpup, Rigby Epling.

Among the community of lives she impacted by boundless love, she will be forever missed by two “daughters-by-choice”, Roberta Meade and Monica Collier, special cousins, Judy (Jim) Jackson-Looze and Roxanna Jackson-Alexander; and close friends, Connie Davis and Lori James Smith.

Visitation for Miss. Karen will begin Friday, Jan 24, at 10:30 a.m. at Duvall & Moore Funeral Home in Olive Hill.

Her service will be led by Pastor Chris Bellew at 12:30, with burial to follow at Rose Hill Burial Park in Ashland on Monday, January 27, 2025.

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