Mina Lorene Hash Hedgespeth

Mina Lorene Hash Hedgespeth, 92, of Campbellsville, Kentucky, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on September 5, 2026. She was born on April 1, 1934, the daughter of the late McKinley and Mayme Newton Hash.

Mina made her profession of faith in Jesus Christ on October 18, 1948, at Buffalo Baptist Church and was baptized in Buffalo Creek. Her church membership was later transferred to Corinth Baptist Church in Hodgenville, Kentucky, where she remained a faithful member until her passing.

Mina was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Charles Thurman Hedgespeth. The two were united in marriage on June 1, 1958, and shared 55 years and 10 months of marriage before Charles passed away on Mina’s birthday, April 1, 2014.

She was also preceded in death by her father-in-law, Charles Emmitt Hedgespeth; three brothers, Thomas Jefferson (T.J.) Hash, James Thomas (J.T.) Hash, and William Grant Castello Hash; four sisters, Maggie Mae and James Bell, Nina Cathleen and Phillip (Phil) Stiles, Vera Louise and Fred Krznarich, and June Rose Hash; and three brothers-in-law, James (Jim) Salsman, Eugene (Gene) Underwood, and Ralph Hedgespeth.

Mina leaves behind her brother, McArthur Gowdy and Vienise Hash; two sisters, Billie Salsman and Shirley Ann Underwood; and a family who extended far beyond those connected to her by blood.

Among those closest to her was her great-niece, Chasity Lynn Hedgespeth Warren, whom Mina lovingly raised from the age of eight. She also leaves Chasity’s three children, James Dylan Malone, Jarett McKay Malone, and Mariah Leigh Shivley. Mina is also survived by her nephew, Gregory Todd Hash, who lovingly cared for her needs, along with numerous other nieces, nephews, extended family members, and many dear friends.

Mina was a remarkable educator whose dedication to learning and to young people became a defining part of her life. She graduated as valedictorian of the 1954 Taylor County High School graduating class. She continued her education at Campbellsville College, earning a Teacher’s Certificate in 1956.

Upon completing her teaching certificate, Mina was hired by the LaRue County Board of Education, where she taught seventh- and eighth-grade students at Buffalo High School for four years. Always striving to learn more and become a better educator, she continued her studies at Campbellsville College and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Education in 1960.

For the 1960–61 school year, Mina returned to Taylor County and became one of the teachers at the newly opened Taylor County High School in Campbellsville, where she taught Business Education. Her commitment to education continued throughout her career as she earned a Master of Science degree, Rank I, and Rank IA in School Administration from Western Kentucky University.

In 1966, Mina was promoted from the classroom to the Taylor County Board of Education, where she served as Director of Pupil Personnel. She remained in that position until her retirement in 1994, when she stepped away from her career in education to care for her mother. In all, Mina devoted 38 years of her life to education and to serving the children and families of her community.

Retirement did not slow Mina down. In 2009, she began working as a People Greeter at Walmart in Campbellsville, where her warm personality and love for people made her a natural fit. She continued there until her retirement in 2015.

Mina was a joy to be around. She was outgoing, intelligent, studious, honest, generous, and giving—and above all, she was loving. She lived life fully and gave all she had to the people around her. She believed in serving others, encouraging others, and making a difference wherever she could.

Her contributions as an educator were recognized throughout her career. Mina received numerous awards and honors for her work in education and was recognized by President Ronald Reagan, Martha Layne Collins, the first woman Governor of Kentucky, the Kentucky Senate and House of Representatives, and United States Senator Mitch McConnell for her outstanding performance, leadership, and commitment to supporting education and the youth of Kentucky.

In 1973, Mina was nominated and selected for the first annual printing of Who’s Who: Outstanding Educators in America. That inaugural publication recognized Mina and other educators whose dedication and contributions at the local, county, state, and regional levels helped strengthen American education.

Mina was also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), an organization reflecting her appreciation for family, heritage, and service.

Although Mina never had children of her own, she was a mother to many. She opened her heart and her home to those who needed her and gave love, guidance, encouragement, and care freely. She was a leader, teacher, wife, mother figure, aunt, grandmother figure, and friend. She cared deeply for others and made people feel loved.

Perhaps the greatest measure of Mina’s life was not the titles she held or the honors she received, but the lives she touched. She gave of herself generously, loved without reservation, and believed there was always room in her heart for another person. Mina loved her family, her community, her students, and, in her own special way, the whole world.

Her life was one of faith, service, education, family, and love. Her memory will live on in the many people she taught, encouraged, cared for, and loved.

Visitation is requested from 10:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M., Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at Parrott & Ramsey Funeral Home.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 P.M., Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at Parrott & Ramsey Funeral Home, 418 Lebanon Avenue, Campbellsville, Kentucky. Entombment will follow at Campbellsville Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, 3878 Greensburg Road, Campbellsville, Kentucky.

Mina requested that expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to the Hash Cemetery Fund for maintenance.