Barbourville, Ky. – Wilma Inez Baker Miracle, 100 years old, a long-time resident of Barbourville and Knox County, Kentucky, died Sept. 3, 2026. She was born in Harlan County, at home, in Black Star Coal Camp, Alva, Kentucky on March 13, 1926, one of three children and the only daughter of William Edgar Baker and Beatrice Steele Baker.
Wilma matriculated through elementary school at Black Star, then Evarts High School, and graduated from Knox Central High School. Subsequently, she earned a Teaching Certification from Union College and Eastern Kentucky University. She earned a variety of honors and academic awards throughout her school years.
One of her proudest achievements was earning Third Place for her oboe solo at the National School Music Competition Festival in Nashville in 1942. She was a life-long learner, as an adult taking violin, banjo, swimming, and painting lessons. She loved to read and was a fan of author Jesse Stuart. She was current on all the latest news & technology and a master of her iPad. She was also a life-long teacher and educator in that she strived to open the world to her sons and pass on important family history and stories.
Wilma was united in marriage on June 26, 1948, to Dr. Herman William Miracle, Sr. at Swan Pond Baptist Church, followed by a honeymoon at Cumberland Falls. She bore three sons: Will and twins Britt & Malcolm.
Her finest moments were caring for others, for example her mother-in-law Matilda Baird Miracle in the nursing home, her own mother Beatrice Baker in Beatrice’s home, and her husband Herman at home and in the nursing home. For her three sons, she made countless loving sacrifices throughout her life.
Her career included teaching in one-room schoolhouses at Lower Little Brush Creek for two years and three years at Kay Jay, Kentucky. She also worked at the Naval Ordinance Station in Louisville while her husband attended dental school at U of L. Upon returning to Barbourville, she worked as the office manager and dental assistant for Dr. Miracle, and also as a homemaker. She was enthusiastic in the community, serving as a Den Mother in Cub Scouts, a member of the Knox County Hospital Auxiliary (where she was the volunteer gift shop manager for over 35 years), and the Younger Women’s Club, where she was presented a 50-year membership award.
It would be remiss to not include that when she was a young girl in Black Star, Wilma read about Girl Scout Camp and so very much wanted to go. There was no local troop, so a resolute Wilma simply started her own Girl Scout Troop and sold cookies door-to-door to attend camp two years in a row.
It should be mentioned that loving pets were important to Wilma, including dogs Flicka, Romeo, and Andy and her parrot Leroy. She taught her sons to care for a wide variety of pets throughout their childhood.
Wilma was preceded in death by her husband, Herman William Miracle, Sr., her parents, William Edgar Baker and Beatrice Steele Baker; two brothers: Wendell and Melvin; and father-in-law & mother-in-law John & Matilda Miracle, among other significant relatives.
Wilma leaves behind to mourn her passing three sons: Herman William Miracle, Jr. of Barbourville, KY; Robert Britt Miracle of Cincinnati, OH; and Dr. Malcolm Baker Miracle (Jaisa) of Nicholasville, KY; three grandchildren: Charles Jacob Miracle (Nikki), Malin Miracle, and Emma Miracle and great-grandchildren: Hudson, Jasper and Vivian Miracle. Those mourning also include her sister-in-law Betty Jo King and many beloved nieces and nephews.
A special thanks to Wick, Wayne, Lynn, Susie, her special friend, Julie Stevens, and her “honorary daughter” Mary Congleton for their loving support.
In summation, Wilma was steadfast, loving, determined and an inspiration throughout and until the very end of her life. Being an avid UK basketball fan, when asked for advice on how to live a long life, she quoted UK Coach Pope, “Keep fighting. Stay in the game!”
The Miracle family will receive friends and family for visitation at Hopper Funeral Home, Tuesday, September 8, 2026 from 12:00 PM until the funeral hour of 2:00 PM. Reverend Kent Gilbert will officiate. Margaret Pridemore will perform a musical tribute. The family has chosen as casket bearers: Wick Baker, Christopher Baker, Britt, Malcolm, and Will Miracle, Herb Miracle, Jacob Miracle, Dr. Kris Chilukuri, and Rusty Pope. Honorary Casket Bearers are Wilma’s nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren – all of which she loved as her own. Interment will follow the funeral service in the Corinth Cemetery Corbin, Kentucky.
For beloved friends and family of Wilma Inez Baker Miracle who are unable to attend her funeral service in person, Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at Hopper Funeral Home, it will be Live Streamed on the Hopper Funeral Home Facebook Page at 2:00 PM. Please follow Hopper Funeral Home on Facebook to watch the funeral service.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her name, “Wilma B.Miracle”, to the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging at the University of Kentucky. There are 5 funds to chose from at the link and please enter her name at “Gift Instructions.” If you prefer, there is also a mailing address. Information: https://medicine.uky.edu/centers/sbcoa/philanthropy-council.
The Hopper Family, Victoria Hopper York and Sally Hopper, and the staff of Hopper Funeral Home: Mrs. Lorena Blankenship, Mrs. Brenda Johnson, Ms. Quinlyn Chrisco, Mr. Robin Reese, Mr. Reid Brewer, Mr. Daren West and Mr. Steven Walker express sincere condolences to the family and friends of Wilma Inez Baker Miracle.
Hopper Funeral Home, Inc., established over 100 years ago, is in charge of servicing all arrangements for Wilma Inez Baker Miracle.
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