Nellie Katherine Francis Whitaker Obituary

Nellie Katherine Francis Whitaker was born October 28, 1990, in Fort Campbell, Kentucky and passed away November 6, 2023 at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky. She was 33 years old. She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Hiram & Loula Whitaker of Tyner, Kentucky, and her grandparents, Herman & Sherry Brockman, and by Donovan Lakes who loved her as his own. She is survived by her loving parents, Kellie Brockman of McKee, Kentucky, and Stephen & Gracie Whitaker of Tyner, Kentucky, by her older sister Amanda and husband Joshua and nephew Henry Knifley of Lexington, Kentucky, her older brother Jacob and his wife, Paige, her nephews, Reed and Beau Whitaker of Waco, Kentucky and stepsisters, Jes Madden and her husband Jon Madden and Jen Welch both of Gray Hawk, Kentucky. Nellie is also survived by her Uncle Greg and his wife Rebecca Brockman of Sand Gap, Kentucky and her first cousin, Alexis Noe and her husband Andrew Noe of Booneville, Kentucky and her aunt Diane and her husband Darrin Long, by her first cousin Megan Long of Spartanburg, South Carolina and first cousin, Tyler Long of Hilton Head, South Carolina.

Nellie graduated from Jackson County High School in 2009 and entered Eastern Kentucky University where she obtained her bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism. Taking a break from her studies in journalism she acquired a job at Kay’s Jewelry. Her passion for gemology and appraisals of fine jewelry quickly led to a full-time career. She was an employee at Kay’s Jewelry for over 10 years.

She, herself, was a shining gem to all who knew her. From high school and college classmates, teachers and friends’ parents, to her work family at Kay’s, to all the customers she had met along the way it was always obvious to everyone that she was incredibly special. Her outgoing personality, her charm, her passion for everything that she loved shone brightly through her. She was a beautiful person with a beautiful soul. She has left a void that can never be filled in all the lives she touched. She will be deeply and forever missed.

Nellie was a member of Mt. Gilead Baptist Church in Tyner.

In lieu of gifts or flowers, please consider donating to the St Jude’s Hospital in honor of Nellie. This foundation was very near to her heart as a Kay’s Jewelry associate.