Laurel Bryan Padgett

Laurel Bryan Padgett (77), beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully at her residence on Friday, May 17, 2024 after battling multiple health conditions for the past 25 years. Laurel was born the third daughter (of 10 children) of the late George, Sr. and Pauline (Thomas) Bryan on July 28, 1946 in Rineyville, KY. Laurel married the love of her life, Greg Padgett, in 1967. She was a devoted mother to their five children, always mentoring, educating and encouraging. She would often say that her greatest accomplishment in life was that her children loved one another. Laurel cherished the Lord and was a devoted member of St. James Catholic Church for over 51 years. She actively spread the Gospel with her smile, generous heart, and compassionate spirit. She sang with the St. James Resurrection Choir and ministered to the sick and homebound as a Eucharistic Minister through her church. She was also a member of the local chapter of Church Women United, and she and Nga Le were instrumental in starting the Parish Twinning Program that joined St. James with its sister parish of St. Marc's in Haiti in 1991. Laurel took great joy in making homemade cards, voraciously reading anything she could get her hands on, and watching the birds out her window when she could no longer physically enjoy the outdoors. To those blessed to know her, she had a great laugh, a smile that could light up a room, and a gift for bringing beauty in some of the most unlikely places. Laurel was preceded in death by her parents, brothers (Kerry and George, Jr.), and sisters (Janice Bryan and Karen Cardinalli). Those left here to carry on her great legacy are her loving husband of 56 years, Greg Padgett; children and grandchildren - Patrick (Suzanne) Padgett of Owensboro, KY and their children Jack (Avery), Hannah, Bailey, Leo, Calvin, Wesley, and Stella; Jeremy Padgett of Springfield, KY; Anne (Ron) Kelly of Lexington, KY and their children Reid and Andrew; Emily (Aaron) Pennington of Colorado Springs, CO and their children Lillie, Jonathan, Avery and Madison; and Lucy (Tony) McCormack of Union, KY and their children Liam, Molly, Hazel and Jude. Laurel is also survived by her sisters, Jennifer (Joe Chaudoin), Monica (Kevin Hardy), Valerie Bryan, Michele Bryan (Steve Watson), and Stacy (Steve Dailey). Visitation will take place at Brown Funeral Home in Elizabethtown from 4 PM to 8 PM on Monday, May 20th, 2024. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 AM on Tuesday at St. James Catholic Church in Elizabethtown. The Mass will be live-streamed at: St. James Catholic Church Youtube Page. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to either of the following St. James ministries: the St. Vincent de Paul Society or St. Marc's Haiti.