Kathleen Ernie Mink

Kathleen Ernie Mink entered into Heaven on January 21, 2026, at the age of 100. She was born on December 21,1925 to Cornel Louis Yoder and Sarah Ellen Derby, to whom she was the 9th of 10 children. Kathleen went to school until her 9th grade year when she decided to stay home to take care of her family.

She was of the Methodist faith and went on a mission trip to Africa at the age of 89 where she had quite the adventure and even rode an elephant while there. She loved her Lord and Savior, as well as her church family. Family and faith were very important to Kathleen. She retired from Park West hospital where she worked in Central Supply.

Kathleen was predeceased by her parents, Cornel and Sarah Derby, and beloved husband, Henry Leroy Mink. She was also predeceased by her 4 brothers; Walter, Roscoe, Hubert and Leroy and her 5 sisters; Willie Mae, Pearlee, Louise, Viola and Mildred.

She is survived by her great nephew, who she raised and considered a son; Danny Yoder, Sr.

(Susan), and their children, Danny Yoder, Jr. (Amey) and Joshua Yoder (Lydia). She has 2 nieces, Sharon Nichols and Shirley (Yoder) Davis and their children Jennifer Miller, Kevin Frost, Max Roark and Donna Longworth. She is also survived by multiple other nieces and nephews. Kathleen is also survived by her special friends Rebecca and John Bilbra and "Taco".

The family would like to say a special thank you to Legacy Park for taking care of Kathleen for the past 2 years.

The family takes comfort in knowing when she went home to meet her Savior, she heard, "Well done, thy good and faithful servant."

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, January 29th at Highland Memorial Cemetery, 5315 Kingston Pike SW Knoxville, TN 37919 at 1:00 pm in the Mausoleum.