Ulyess Lankford

Ulyess Lankford, 80 of Pineville, Kentucky, passed away on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, in Tazewell, Tennessee. He was born in Fields, Kentucky on November 2, 1944, a son of the late Willie and Winnie Lankford. Ulyess was a second-generation coal miner.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sons, Ulyess Lankford and Houston Lankford; brothers, Junior Lankford, Sheryl Lankford, Ray Lankford, Coy Lankford, Curt Lankford, and Russel Lankford; three grandchildren, Dakota Lankford, Austin Lankford, and Carrie McCullough; and his wife, Donna Sue Lankford, the mother of his children.

Ulyess is survived by his daughters, Eunice and Jeff Bailey, Shannon and Red McCullough, and Heather and Wayne Bailey; brother, Gene Lankford; sisters, Joyce Helton, Wanda Morrison, and Patsy Heath; grandchildren, Robin Shepard, Travis and Kristyn McCullough, Patricia and Dustin Krenkel, Jacob and Beth McCullough, Jenifer and Pat Derr, Shelby Bailey, Kendra and Tristin Reid, Payton Bailey, Dewayne Bailey, III, Jeffrey and Sarai Bailey, Melissa Sue Lankford, and his favorite person, Houston “Bub” Lankford; 11 great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives; and his family would like to express a special thanks to Ms. Gertrude Brock, for being his best friend and girlfriend.

Graveside services will be at 2:00 PM on Friday, October 3, 2025, at the Lankford Cemetery in Fourmile. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.

Arnett & Steele Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Pineville is honored to serve the Lankford Family.