Dean Osborne has asked us to share this obituary. We express our condolences for their loss.
Sallie Osborne, 84, passed into the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday morning, January 25, 2026. Sallie was the mother of bluegrass performer and HCTC Kentucky School of Bluegrass and Traditional Music Director, Dean Osborne, and Dr. Carmela Osborne.
A well-known figure in the Kentucky bluegrass music community, she helped to found our family bluegrass festival’s beginning at Woodland Park, in Lexington, KY in 1990. Over the next 35 years, she co-hosted over 65 multi-day, multi-band events, including the Red Mile, the Red Mule, the JD Crowe and the New South Festival, the Roots Revue, the Moron Bros Full Circle Frolic, and the 32-year Osborne Brothers Hometown Festival in Hyden, KY, among others. She was a special person with a wide variety of talents and interests, making everyone coming through the gate feel welcome.
Sallie had been doing very well, was preparing for a trip prior to the snowstorm last week when she suffered a massive aneurysm. Her passing was highly unexpected as she was very active and kept a schedule of someone half her age! She would have celebrated her 85th birthday in May.
Thank you to everyone for their love and prayers.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 7, 2026, with visitation at Walker Funeral Home in Hyden from 11:00 to 1:00 p.m. Services will follow at 1:00 p.m.
Dinner will be served after the service at Central Presbyterian Church next door to the chapel. God Bless you all.
