Samuel Casebolt

Jonathan Samuel Casebolt, age 84, passed away Sunday, February 26, 2023. Samuel was born July 25, 1938 in Wheelwright of Floyd County, Kentucky to Ulan and Pearl Casebolt. After leaving for Ohio to find work, he met the love of his life, Dorothy Lee Spears, also of Floyd County. They were married on October 31, 1959 in Clintwood, Virginia. They moved to Fords Branch in 1962 to be close to his ailing father and mother. In 1963 Dorothy was baptized at the Ford's Branch Church of Christ where she insisted her husband attend church with her. Sam would be baptized a few years later and would start a ministry that would last over 50 years. He pastored Churches of Christ across Kentucky and Virginia including Ford's Branch, Van Lear, Virgie, Shelbiana, Jenkins, Breaks, and Big Rock. He baptized hundreds into Christ, and united even more into Holy Matrimony. During his ministry, Sam held a full-time job with CSX Railroad. He was boss over the work train and an expert at operating all heavy equipment. After retiring from ministry, Sam enjoyed time with his family and visits to the Shelby Valley Senior Citizen Center where he met up with his buddies for a good game of checkers and pool. He devoted much of his free time to working on Casebolt Mountain where his two sons live. Samuel is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Dorothy Lee Casebolt, and their two sons, who he affectionately referred to as “my boys”, Samuel Dean (Carol) Casebolt and Jonathan Keith (Jamie) Casebolt; six grandchildren, Natasha Newsome, Sammy Casebolt, Kasey Casebolt, Jessica Casebolt, Austin Casebolt, Kamron Casebolt; two great grandchildren, Keylee and Bristol Newsome; five sisters, Lillian Hampton, Frances Hampton, Lennie Mattingly, Spicy Bartley, and Rosa Hall. Samuel was preceded in death by two brothers, Crawford and Louis Casebolt and five sisters Evelyn Richardson, Delphia Cruz, Fayetta Thacker, Inez Workman, and Esther Newsome. He was a member of the Pikeville Masonic Lodge for over fifty years. Sam will especially be remembered for his love of God the love of his family, his love of outside work, and yes, the love of a good home-cooked meal from his wife. Visitation will be Tuesday from 7p.m. to 9p.m. at the Ford's Branch Church of Christ. Funeral services will be Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at 11a.m. at the Ford's Branch Church of Christ with Billy Dean Ford officiating. Burial will follow in the Ford's Branch Cemetery.