George Lee Whitehead was born on October 11, 1972, in Pineville, Kentucky. As a boy, he loved running up and down the hills of Stoney Fork and always claimed the Bell and Harlan County line as his home. In 1997, George met Melissa Sue Philpot, and their love grew into a marriage on October 11, 1998, and a family with three children, the pride of his life: George Gray, Jr., Savanna Gray, and Rachel Smith (Gray).
Anyone who knew George knew three things: he was a great friend, a hard worker, and one heck of a storyteller. From his tales of hitchhiking in his twenties to his many adventures as the self-proclaimed “Mayor of Flat Lick,” there is no doubt in the minds of those who knew him that his was a life well lived.
George was a Christian and shared a special relationship with Christ. He was a member of many churches throughout his life, but he always felt closest to God sitting in his chair, playing his guitar, and singing gospel music.
George leaves behind his loving, patient, and faithful wife of 28 years, Melissa; his son, George, and his fiancée, Vanessa; his daughter, Savanna, and her partner, Jason; and his youngest (and favorite) child, Rachel, and her husband, Cody. He is also survived by his grandchildren; his sister, Ludina; and many extended family members and friends.
George would never forgive us if we forgot to mention his dogs, Mack, Duke, Otis, and his favorite buddy, Rocky. While there are far too many to name, he will surely be missed by his many friends, his pocket knife trading community, and anyone who had the privilege of sharing a conversation or a laugh with him. While we will miss him, we find comfort in knowing that he is now reunited with his father, Willard, whom he lost when he was only 12, and his mother, Jewell, with whom he shared so much in common, especially his stubbornness and his way of giving it to you straight. He will also get to see his sister, Fern, again and sit on an old milk crate with his beloved dogs, Spike and Bandit, by his side.
George, we will miss you more than words can express, and we will honor your life and love with each day that passes. We hope Heaven has a yard that needs cut and a riding mower with plenty of gas. We know that if Heaven doesn’t have a Facebook bid site, you’ll set one up shortly.Thank you for the laughs, smiles, and memories that we will all cherish until we see you again.
We love you.
Visitation and Celebration of Life
Family and friends are invited to gather to remember and celebrate George’s life. Visitation will be Monday, November 9, 2026 from 5:00–8:00 PM and Tuesday, November 10, 2026 from 11-1 PM. His Celebration of Life service will begin at 1 PM on Tuesday, Nov 10th. Following the service, George will be laid to rest at his home in Flat Lick, Kentucky.
Pallbearers will be George Gray Jr., Jason Steptoe, Cody Smith, Tyler Collins, Bobby Jones, Billy Collins Sr., Billy Collins Jr., and Logan Collins, with Martin Crawford and Melton Tinsley serving as honorary pallbearers
To the Whitehead family, the staff of the Hampton-Hutton Funeral Home would like to offer you our heartfelt sympathy during your time of bereavement.
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