Phyllis Hunt Tourism director passed away at 77, Pike County mourn
Phyllis Hunt Tourism director passed away at 77
Phyllis Hunt Death – Phyllis Hunt, who was 77 years old and lived in Pikeville, Kentucky, passed away on January 2. Friends, past coworkers, and a previous employer all claim that Hunt had a strong connection to the community she worked in. Judi Patton, a former First Lady of Kentucky and the current Chairwoman of the Pike County Tourism CVB, stated of her successor that “she was so kind and so sweet.” “She loved Pikeville and she loved Pike County. She loved her family and she loved her friends, but she loved her church more than anything else.” The growth of tourism in Eastern Kentucky can be directly attributed to Hunt’s efforts.
Executive Director of the Pike County Tourism CVB, stated
During her tenure as the executive director of Pike County Tourism, which spanned 11 years, she worked hard to raise awareness about the many benefits that Eastern Kentucky has to offer. Especially the well-known conflict between the Hatfields and the McCoys. Tony Tackett, the current Executive Director of the Pike County Tourism CVB, stated that “The [Hatfield-McCoy] peace treaty, that was Phyllis, that was one of her very prominent projects, bringing the descendants home to Eastern Kentucky and the West Virginia border, that is the staple in this community of who you are is what you carry with you.” Phyllis was responsible for this project, which was one of her many prominent endeavors.
Information from Tackett
Hunt showcased the heritage, history, and people of this region. “She was the one who really got tourism going… to showcase our territory and our people,” said Patton. “She was the one who really got things going.” When Tackett was just getting started in the tourism industry, Hunt served as a mentor to him. Now, he wishes that one day he would be able to take Hunt’s place. According to Tackett, “as someone looking up to hope to fulfill other people’s shoes, there will only be one Phyllis Hunt.” Patton went on to say that the impact that Hunt had on tourism would be felt for many years to come.
Photo credit: WYM
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