Nell B. Bland

 Nell B. Bland, age 91, of Timberwood Trail, Morehead, KY passed away Monday, April 13, 2026, at her home.  

She was born December 23, 1934 in Tracy City, TN and was the daughter of the late William Franklin and Ruby Walker Butner.  Besides her parents she was preceded in death by six brothers, James Edward, Douglas, Billy Frank, Samuel Lee, Donnie and Carl David Butner all of Monteagle, TN; and four sisters, Ruby Aline Wilkerson, Doris Thomas Foshee, Lynda Kay Bennett and Connie Sargent of TN.        

Nell is survived by her husband of 47 years, Kenneth E. Bland; one daughter, Rebecca Lynn Prather of Morehead, KY; two sons, Charles Wendell Prather (Leigh Ann) of Monteagle, TN, John Francis Prather (Nicole) of Cincinnati, OH; six grandchildren, Charles Brandon (Kristen), Joshua Kenneth (Tiffanie) Prather of Morehead and Ashley Marie (Anthony) Hoskins of Hazard, KY; Nicholas B. Prather of Florence, KY, Luke B. Prather of Arlington, VA, and Claire Ballaban Prather of Cincinnati, OH. 

Other survivors include six great grandchildren, Bentley Raylan Prather, Madison Grace Prather, Mavrick Rhett Prather, and Eleanor Gray Prather (children of Joshua and Tiffanie) and Lauren Nicole Prather and Hudson Garrett Prather (children of Brandon and Kristen). Others to cherish her memory include several nieces and nephews in Tennessee, as well as Donna Noble Dixon, mother of Brandon, Ashley and Joshua.

Nell graduated from Morehead State University in July 1997. She also retired from Morehead State University after spending 15.5 years as Administrative Assistant to Porter Daily, Vice President for Administration and Fiscal Services.

Nell was active in the Morehead Woman’s Club for many years and was installed as President in 1982.  She was also the first female to become a member of the Morehead Optimist Club. She was of the Episcopal faith and was a member of Saint Albans Episcopal Church in Morehead.

She was very devoted to her husband, and was a wonderful and loving mother to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday, April 17, 2026, at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Mary Kilbour Huey and the Rev. Dr. Keila C. Thomas officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers: Brandon Prather, Joshua Prather, Nicholas Prather, Luke Prather, Randy Butner, and Bill Snipe.

Honorary pallbearers:  Porter and Pat Dailey, Larry and Sandy Coldiron, Marvin and Lucy Moore, Dr. David Victor, Bill Redwine, and Mike Walters.

Visitation is from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals, 400 Fraley Drive, Morehead, KY 40351.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to Saint Albans Episcopal Church, 145 5th Street, Morehead, KY.

View memorial tribute or sign online guestbook at www.northcuttandson.com

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