Betty McCoy Lundy

Middlesboro - Betty Sue McCoy Lundy ("Gaga"), a resident of Middlesboro, Kentucky, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 30, 2026 at the age of 94.

She was born March 12, 1931, in Pikeville, KY, to the late Ernest and Flora McCoy. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Nathan Bryant (N.B) Lundy, her brother Ernest McCoy, sister Ida Gaye Plum, and her grandson, James King.

She is survived by her daughters, Tracey Lundy Sharpe (Herman Powers), and Julie Lundy Goldman, her granddaughters, Kelsey Rebecca Goldman and Caitlin Campbell Sharpe, a host of nieces, nephews, and special friends, including Frank and Leisa Stewart.

Betty grew up in the hills of Eastern Kentucky in Pike County. A McCoy daughter of the infamous Hatfield-McCoy Feud families, the fighting was several generations over, but the fighting spirit lived on in this special lady.

Betty chose a career in nursing, and attended Norton School of Nursing in Louisville, KY. After graduation, she returned to Pike County to begin her career as a registered nurse at Pikeville Hospital.

As it happened, a young Kentucky State Trooper, named Nathan B. Lundy, was also stationed in the Pike County area at that time. As a joke one night, several of his buddies urged the newcomer to stop a young nurse who was well known for speeding in the area. And he did. (There have been conflicting reports as to whether he actually issued a ticket; he maintained that he was unmoved by a pretty face and did his duty. She reported that she went on her way with only a "warning." That mystery remained unsolved, but what is known is that the trooper and the nurse would meet again and eventually marry.

They shared a love of sports, especially the University of Kentucky Wildcats and could be found on game weekends tailgating in their motor home with friends and family. Summers were spent on Norris Lake, first in a houseboat named "The Sadie Boo" (a nickname from Betty's youth) and later in a lakeside house best known for Saturday night suppers open to anyone who happened by.

After some post-retirement time in Florida and South Carolina, the mountains were calling and it was time to come home to Bell County. After N.B.'s passing, she joined the First Christian Church in Middlesboro, where she was best known for serving as the "Bell Ringer" for Karen Blondell's Sunday School class. Her church family loved her, and she loved each one of them.

The family will receive friends from 12 noon until 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 21, 2026 at the First Christian Church, Middlesboro, Kentucky with a memorial service to follow, Reverend Brian Kearns and Pastor Astor Simpson presiding.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Betty's memory to the First Christian Church, 2130 Cumberland Avenue, Middlesboro, KY or to Owen's Wish Fund, a cause dear to Betty's heart. Use the link provided below and select Owen's Wish Fund from the drop down box.

https://give.uoflhealthfoundation.org/brown-cancer-center