Sherry Elaine Horsley

Sherry Elaine Horsley, a wife, mother and lifelong educator, died peacefully at Community Hospice Care Center in Ashland, Kentucky, on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, surrounded by family. She was 54. Mrs. Horsley served 27 years in the public school districts of Greenup and Carter counties, ultimately retiring as the superintendent of Greenup County School District in 2019. Upon retirement, she taught future educators at Kentucky Christian University in Grayson. Mrs. Horsley was born to parents Gaylord and Freda Salley, of Argillite, and grew up on a farm along Route 207. Mrs. Horsley attended Greenup schools. During her junior year, she was diagnosed with leukemia and continued her studies homebound under the guidance of Rachel Newsome. She later became the valedictorian of Greenup County High School’s Class of 1987 and was awarded the Kentucky Teachers Scholarship.

When she returned to school from homebound, she had advanced math with another student who ultimately became her husband, Kenton Horsley. In the same row of the classroom, she sat in the first seat while he sat in the last one. They began dating in college at Morehead State University and were married in 1992.

After graduating from MSU with a bachelor’s degree in 1991, Mrs. Horsley began her teaching career as a teacher at McKell Middle School in South Shore. She finished her first master’s degree shortly before giving birth to her only daughter, McKenna Horsley, in the fall of 1997.

While Mrs. Horsley treasured her time in a classroom, she desired to become an administrator. She was hired as assistant principal at West Carter Middle School in Olive Hill, Kentucky, in 2001 — the same school where she completed her student teaching. Mrs. Horsley later became principal of the school from 2005 to 2011, which received numerous honors during her tenure including being named a “School to Watch” by The National Forum. She encouraged teachers and students at the school to do their best work and signed off her morning announcements over the intercom with the mantra: “Make it a great day or not, the choice is yours.”

Mrs. Horsley later joined the staff of the Carter County Board of Education Office from 2011 to 2014. She worked as director of Curriculum and Instruction, planning personal development for educators across the school district and working on curriculum.

Mrs. Horsley achieved another goal of hers in the summer of 2014 — becoming the superintendent of Greenup County Schools. She led the school district for five years. There, she was named a 2019 Kentucky Superintendent of the Year finalist for leading the school system to achieve a district of distinction and implementing a strategic plan focusing on universal preschool and college and career readiness.

One of her fondest personal achievements was hearing young students refer to her as the “Book Lady” when she visited classrooms as the district’s top administrator to read and distribute books.

Mrs. Horsley retired from the school district at the end of the 2018-19 school year for health reasons but found ways to continue to be an active educator. She taught courses and mentored student teachers at KCU.

Mrs. Horsley attended the Tenth & Vine Church of Christ in Ironton, Ohio. She was on the board of the Jesse Stuart Foundation and was a Kentucky Colonel. She had a love of travel and several hobbies. She was a known crafter throughout her life — from scrapbooking to making wreaths, scarfs and quilts to taking up painting in recent years. She often baked her co-workers treats like blueberry muffins or brownies. She lived in Raceland, Kentucky.

Mrs. Horsley was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Pamela Jean Salley. She is survived by her husband, Kenton, of Raceland, and her daughter, McKenna, of Louisville, as well as her twin brother, Terry Salley, and sisters, Theresa Salley and Regina Chaney; nieces, Kayla Chaney and Kim Smallwood; nephew James Chaney III; and special cousins, Crystal Waggoner and Ashton Moore. Additionally, Mrs. Horsley is survived by dear friends, Carla Weddington and Jenny Knipp, and her family’s loving cat, Lady. Her legacy will continue in the lives of the students she taught and the educators she mentored.

Funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 p.m, Monday, August 5, 2024, at Reed Funeral Home in Greenup by Pastor Bill Haynes. Greenup Superintendent Traysea Moresea will speak, and Wurtland Middle Assistant Principal Melissa Bowling will read a Silas House poem, “Those Who Carry Us.” Burial will be Bellefonte Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home and two hours before the service on Monday. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations of K-12 books for students at Greenup and Carter school districts. Donations will be collected during visitations. The family requests that attendees honor Mrs. Horsley’s memory by wearing the colors or logos of her schools — Greenup County, Carter County or KCU — to the service and visitation. Condolences may be made at www.rlrfuneralhome.com.