Kathy Lynn Earnest Gooslin

Kathy Lynn Earnest Gooslin, 67, of North Matewan, West Virginia, passed away on Monday, February 2, 2026, at Pikeville Medical Center. She was born on September 7, 1958, in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, to the late Charles Earnest and Ida Mae Varney Earnest.

In addition to her parents, Kathy was preceded in death by her husband, William Cecil Gooslin; her sons, Scott Daniel Earnest Hager and Terry Lee “Budd” West, Jr.; her brother, Charles Thomas Earnest; and her nephews, Charles Christian Daniels and Billy Shannon Bolen.

Kathy was a devoted homemaker and worked for many years as a Certified Nursing Assistant. She was a longtime member of the Hardy Church of Christ for many years. She was also a gifted cook and shared her talents while working in numerous restaurants throughout her life. Kathy loved cooking large meals and feeding anyone who came her way. Her cookouts and Thanksgiving dinners were legendary and open to the entire community. She had a deep love for people, especially children, and cherished her own children, grandchildren, and all the kids in her community. Kathy especially enjoyed watching her grandchildren open their Christmas gifts each year. It brought her so much joy to see them happy. Known affectionately as “Nan,” Kathy’s love extended far beyond family ties.

Kathy will be remembered as strong-willed, loving, and kind to everyone she met. She never met a stranger and was always a friend to the friendless, leaving a lasting impression on all who knew her.

She is survived by her children: Kristie West of Hardy, Kentucky; Timothy West of Matewan, West Virginia; Tracy (Nicole) West of Aflex, Kentucky; and Kandace (Tyler) Blankenship of North Matewan, West Virginia. She also leaves behind her siblings: Deborah (Gerald) Epling of Hardy, Kentucky; Donna (Terry) Smith of New Bern, North Carolina; Kenneth (Shelly) Earnest of Davenport, Iowa; John Earnest of Snow Hill, North Carolina; Jack Earnest of Williamson, West Virginia; Glen (Les Gaines) Earnest of Lancaster, Kentucky; and Lisa (Matt) Scott of Frankfort, Kentucky.

Kathy is also survived by her beloved grandchildren: Austin McCoy, Alan McCoy, Barry Duty, Brooke Duty, Tristan West, Edan West, Traci West, Blake Barnette, Hunter Barnette, Landon Gooslin, Haven Gooslin, and Liam “Little Man” Blankenship; and her great-grandchildren: Dylilah McCoy, Mckenna McCoy, Arabella Duty, Ashton Birch, and Octavia Birch. She also leaves behind her special friends Darris Walker, Natasha and Roy Lee Blankenship, Rebecca Thacker, and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 6, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at R.E. Rogers Funeral Home, with Dave Lockard officiating. Burial will follow at Mountain View Memory Gardens in Huddy, Kentucky. Pallbearers will be Tracy West, Timothy West, Gerald Epling II, Matt Scott, Tyler Blankenship, David Michael Earnest, Jonathan (Bean) Earnest, Glen (Bubby) Earnest II, Andrew Williams, and Ryan Hager. Honorary pallbearers will be Adam, Aiden, Alec, Ashton, and Aaron Pierce, and Tyson Cantrell.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the funeral home. R.E. Rogers Funeral Home of Belfry, Kentucky, is serving the Gooslin family. Online condolences may be shared at rerogersfh.com.