Winsie Kegley Obituary

Winsie Mae Hicks Kegley

January 16, 2026

II Timothy 4:7 – "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."

ERWIN - Winsie Mae Hicks Kegley, age 95, of Erwin, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 16, 2026, at her home while she was surrounded by her family. She was born in McComas, West Virginia to the late George Dewey Hicks and Anna Mae West Hicks, but lived most of her life in Erwin.

She retired from Hoover Ball after thirty years of service where she worked as an Inspector/Packer. Winsie was a member of Central Church of Christ and was the director of crafts for High Rock Bible Camp for several years. Winsie was also a Hospice Volunteer, making Alzheimer activity quilts, neck pillows, hand cushions and walker baskets for hundreds of patients. She was a pillar in the community, a dear friend to many and always a perpetual proponent of the underdog.

In the past, Winsie was very active with the PTA and PTO's fundraising events while her children and grandchildren were in school. She enjoyed photography, basket weaving, oil painting, gardening, fishing and traveling abroad.

Winsie was an amazing cook who was famous for her "Gigi" rolls, coconut and egg custard pies.

In addition to her parents, Winsie was preceded in death by her husband of seventy-four years, Wade Allen "Junior" Kegley, on August 19, 2022; four brothers: George Dewey "GD" Hicks, Jr., Quentin Hicks, Robert Franklin Hicks, and Jim Hicks; two sisters: Jeri Howard and Barbara Stevens; and in-laws: Irene (Regis) Willis, Anna (Cecil) Jackson, Elizabeth (Carl) Renfro, Beatrice Whitson, Marie (Charles) Deyton, Mogene (Roy) Estep, Harold Kegley, Thero (Emma) Kegley, Lee (Pearl) Kegley and Earl (Mildred) Kegley.

Left to cherish many precious memories, her three daughters: Sandi Milam (Matson) of Johnson City, Becky Gentry (Randy) of Telford, Jo Cole (Benny) of Erwin, and Willow her beloved puppy; grandchildren: Joseph Wade (Kylie), Miranda Davis (Chad), Shaina Caldwell (Jason), Ian Gentry, and Andy Cole (fiancé Emily Tapp); great grandchildren: Logan Milam, Cory Hill, Aubrie Caldwell, Alex Caldwell (fiancé Becca Stout), Charley Gentry, August Gentry, Luc Wade and Mason Wade; great-great grandchildren: Kyndal Hill, Londyn Hill, Evelyn Caldwell, and Ryker Caldwell; dear sister-in-law, Erlinda Hicks; brother-in-law, John Stevens; several special nieces and nephews also survive.

The Kegley family will receive friends from 12:00-2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at the funeral home. Minister Tim Hall will officiate at the 2:00 p.m. funeral service. Interment will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Matson Milam, Joseph Wade, Randy Gentry, Ian Gentry, Benny Cole, and Andy Cole. Honorary pallbearers will be Lou Thornberry, Charles McNabb, John Bannister, Gary Jackson, Phil Erwin, Bobby Kegley, Brian Horton, Logan Milam, Cory Hill, and Alex Caldwell.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the medical community that cared for Winsie, including Dr. Jason Colinger and his staff, the staff of Amedisys Home Health and Amedisys Hospice, and a special thank you to Becky Allen, Hospice Nurse, and Alexxis Cloyd, Hospice Aid.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in memory of Mrs. Kegley to: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memorial Department, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105, www.stjude.org.

Online condolences, photos and memories may be shared with the Kegley family at www.ledfordfuneralhomes.com

Robert Ledford Funeral Home, 720 Ohio Avenue, Erwin, is privileged to serve the Kegley family. (423) 743-1380.