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Memorial service for Phyllis George, former Kentucky First Lady, to be livestreamed on KET Monday


KET will livestream the memorial service for Phyllis George, the former Kentucky First Lady, Miss America and pioneering female sportscaster, on Monday (May 25) at 3/2 p.m. at KET.org.

George, who died May 14 of complications from a rare blood disorder, became one of the first women to have a prominent role in televised sports when she was hired by CBS Sports in the 1970s. In 1979, George married John Y. Brown Jr. and served as Kentucky’s first lady after Brown’s successful run for governor later that year.

Lincoln, Phyllis George, and Pamela (Family photo provided)

Monday’s memorial service in Versailles is a private event with attendees observing social distancing restrictions and will feature remarks from George’s family and friends, including son Lincoln Brown and daughter Pamela Brown Wright, as well as singing from Everett McCorvey, director of University of Kentucky’s Opera Theatre.

KET is Kentucky’s largest classroom, where learning comes to life for more than one million people each week via television, online and mobile. Learn more about Kentucky’s preeminent public media organization at KET.org, on Twitter @KET and at facebook.com/KET.

In his daily briefing, Gov. Andy Beshear paid tribute to the life of the former Kentucky First Lady ahead of her private funeral on Monday. George also was a groundbreaking sports broadcaster and former Miss America.

The Governor said a small private ceremony would be held in the Capitol this weekend and that it would be livestreamed on KET.

“This is a former First Lady who served an amazing role here in Kentucky,” Beshear said. “We’ve requested you tune in to KET to watch the funeral. It’s a private service, but it’s the way we can try to honor a former First Lady at a time when this coronavirus is still prevalent.”

Beshear honored her life and sent condolences to her friends and loved ones, including her children Pamela and Lincoln.


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4 Comments

  1. A natural bright light of Jesus shined in Kentucky with the presence of Phyllis George Brown and the Kentucky Gentleman John Y. Brown. They both brought presence to Kentucky in the new World of Economic growth and development of the free enterprise system. Her inner strength and faith carried her through the termoils of politics and business. Northern Kentucky was deeply involved in John Y Browns campaign for Governor through two young bright and intelligent young men one from Simon Kenton High school, Bruce Lunsford and the other Lanny Holbrook from Saint Henry’s High school both great basketball players with great competition and great desire to win and make a positive mark for Northern Kentucky and they had a seasoned political war horse as a advisor who was a no nonsense do it the right way political institution called John J O’hara Commonwealth Attorney for Kenton County and all became a powerful team in John Y Browns and Phyllis George Brown’s rise to the stars of Kentucky History. I loved being a small part of this brave new adventure and I have been friends and admired their continued growth and their devotion to Kentucky and I remember the last time I sang My Old Kentucky Home for them in Frankfort at the Dr. THOMAS CLARK HISTORY MUSEUM. TODAY I WILL SING FOR OUR FIRST LADY PHYLLIS GEORGE BROWN WHOSE SMILE WAS ALWAYS SHINING OVER THE MOUNTAINS OF EASTERN KENTUCKY INTO THE PLAINS OF WESTERN KENTUCKY AND WHOSE HEART OPENED THE GATEWAY OF NORTHERN KENTUCKY TO THE SOUTH OF KENTUCKY AND ENLIGHTEN THE BEAUTY OF THE BLUEGRASS AND THE CORPORATE CULTURE OF DERBY TOWN THE VILLE , LOUISVILLE. SHE WAS KENTUCKY AND WE LOVED HER AND WILL MISS HER BUT NEVER FORGET HER. SHE IS SMILING FOR ALL OF US IN HEAVEN RIGHT NOW. ARE YOU READY?
    DR. JOHN STEPHENSON FORMER SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION FOR THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY.
    WE LOVE YOU.

  2. Ronald Sutton says:

    Remember Ms George as the first ‘Girl’ on CBS’ NFL Today!

  3. Roger Auge says:

    The brightness, charm and compassion of Phyllis George Brown will be deeply missed, by each and every one of us. When I was an assistant to Gov. Brown, Phyllis always was kind and supportive of me. I wish all of her family the warmth they deserve at this time.

  4. Donald Clark says:

    I was employee of Kentucky Revenue for almost 40 years. Gov Brown brought a lot to government. His wife Firdt Lady of Kentucky made Kentucky her home and did everything to make Kentucky a welcoming place for all who visit the Commonwealth. My brother Larry Clark was a State Rep for 32 years. My brother Danny Ross was a Union Liaison to the governor in the 90’s. The Brown’s continued to do everything to help Kentucky even when they were out of office. I will always remember the children and parents as being true Kentuckians.

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