Yevette Haskins

Yevette Haskins of Campbellsville, Kentucky, was born on May 20, 1946 in Campbellsville and

spent her youth in the community she would later serve with distinction. She was a devoted

wife, loving mother, cherished sister, aunt, cousin, and a beloved mother figure and friend to

many. Known for her grace, faith, and leadership, she was loved by all who knew her and had a

lifelong dedication to education, young people and community service.

She was a loving daughter of Harriet Curry Penick and James C. Penick, and sister to James

David Penick. Yevette professed her faith in Christ at an early age at First Baptist Church in

Campbellsville. In 1999, she moved her membership to Pleasant Run Baptist Church in

Greensburg, Kentucky, where she remained a faithful and dedicated member. There, she

served with devotion as financial secretary, chairperson of the culinary committee, regularly read

morning announcements, and wrote and printed the weekly church bulletins, allowing her faith

to guide both her service and leadership.

Yevette had a distinguished record of leadership and service at the local, state, and national

levels. A strong advocate for education, she served in key leadership roles in several important

educational institutions, including making history as the first African American and first woman to

serve on the Warren County Board of Education. Her service also included the Board of

Regents of Kentucky State University, Western Kentucky University, Simmons College (now

Simmons University), and the Board of Advancement of Campbellsville University.

Dedicated to her community, Yevette held numerous leadership roles, notably serving as past

chair of the Lake Cumberland Area Development District and as the inaugural chair of the Lake

Area Foundation. Her commitment to local stewardship also included her service as president of

the Crown Hill Cemetery Board. She was deeply proud of her roots at Durham High School,

where she was valedictorian of the last graduating class in 1963, and later served as president

of the Durham High School Reunion Committee, helping preserve the school’s legacy.

Beyond her civic duties, Yevette was a devoted mentor to young women. Her decades of

service with America’s Junior Miss—now Distinguished Young Women—took her across the

country as a judge, culminating in the honor of serving as a national judge in 1999. She also

appeared in public service announcements and the television documentary Breaking Barriers

for Women in Sports, and was appointed in 1987 as an inaugural member of the Minnesota

Amateur Sports Commission.

Yevette was chair and one of the founding members of Greater Campbellsville United, a

community organization dedicated to promoting equal opportunity, equity, and positive relations

among all racial, ethnic, socio-economic, religious, gendered, and political groups within the

Campbellsville community. She also served as chair of a task force that chronicled African

American heritage in Campbellsville–Taylor County.

Yevette was united in marriage for 60 years to her beloved husband, Clem Haskins, with whom

she shared a lifetime of love and partnership. Following Clem’s successful ten years in the

National Basketball Association and his 23 years coaching college basketball, they returned toCampbellsville. They were the proud parents of three children—Clemette, Lori, and Brent—each

a reflection of her legacy with their accomplishments in their respective careers.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harriet Curry Penick and James C. Penick, and her

son, Brent A. Haskins. She is survived by her husband, Clem Haskins; her daughters, Clemette,

Lori; her brother, James David Penick; and a host of loving cousins, nieces, nephews, extended

family, and dear friends.

To honor the life and legacy of Yevette Haskins, and in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions

may be made to the Yevette Haskins Legacy Community Leadership (LCL) Award. Donations

may be given using the QR code, link provided, or delivered to Citizens Bank & Trust Company,

Campbellsville, Kentucky. Please make checks payable to Yevette Haskins LCL Award.

Donation Link: https://venmo.com/u/Yevette-P-Haskins

Venmo: @Yevette-P-Haskins

Arrangements have been entrusted to Hayes Brothers Funeral Home, 710 East Broadway

Street, Campbellsville, KY 42718.

A wake will be held on Friday, December 26, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. EST at First Baptist

Church, 704 East Broadway, Campbellsville, KY 42718.

Funeral services will take place on Saturday, December 27, at Campbellsville University,

Ransdell Chapel, 401 N. Hoskins Avenue, Campbellsville, KY 42718. Visitation is scheduled

from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EST, followed by the funeral service at 1:00 p.m. EST.

Interment will immediately follow the funeral service at Crown Hill Cemetery, Elkhorn Road,

Campbellsville, KY 42718.

A repast for family and guests will be held immediately following interment services at Swan’s

Landing, 2930 New Columbia Road, Campbellsville, KY 4271

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