Earnestine (Barnett) Gross, age 84, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 29, 2025 at the Baptist Health Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. Born on November 12, 1941, in Hazard, Kentucky, she lived a life rooted in faith, service and devotion to her family and community.
A proud high school graduate, Earnestine dedicated much of her life to caring for others both professionally and personally. She worked as a cook at Riverside Christian School, where she nourished generations of students with warmth and kindness. Later, she served as a cleaning lady at the Breathitt County Senior Citizens Center and embraced the role of homemaker with grace and diligence. Her commitment to helping others extended beyond her work—she was also a devoted volunteer with Helping Hands Christian Outreach.
Earnestine’s faith was the cornerstone of her life. As a founding member of Panbowl Full Gospel Church in Jackson, she helped build a spiritual home that nurtured many over the years. Her love for church was matched by her joy in singing hymns, reading her Bible and sharing fellowship with others.
In addition to her spiritual pursuits, Earnestine enjoyed scrapbooking cherished memories and spending time with loved ones. Her home was often filled with music and laughter—a testament to the love she poured into every aspect of her life.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 38 years, Donald Gross; her parents, Robert Fulton and Mary Mildred (Campbell) Barnett; brothers, Bobby Jo Barnett, Dan Barnett and Jerry Lee Barnett and sisters, Dorothy Mea Harvey and Beulah Fay Hicks.
Earnestine is lovingly remembered by her daughter, Donna Michelle Gross; her sons, Arnold Robert Gross, Dennis Gross, Wade Gross and Michael Gross; grandchildren, Andrew Gross, Justin Gross and Tiffany Noble and three great-grandchildren who brought immense joy to her later years.
Her legacy lives on through the lives she touched—with compassion in service, strength in faith, and unwavering love for family.
Visitation for Earnestine will be held Saturday, January 3, 2026 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Breathitt Funeral Home Chapel with funeral service scheduled at 1:00 PM with Gary Bellamy officiating. Burial will follow in the McDaniel Day Cemetery at Lothair with Bret Vaughn, Marshall Hayes, Zeth Vaughn, Andrew Gross, Scottie Lykins, Dennis Gross serving as pallbearers.
May her memory bring comfort to those who knew her.
Proverbs 31:26: “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.”
