Flatwoods, KY - With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Ninette Zoe Gilley Amis on July 18, 2026, at the age of 92. She was born July 20, 1933, in Cheap, Kentucky, now known as Flatwoods, Kentucky, a daughter of the late William Wirtland Gilley and Della Mae McKenzie Gilley.

In addition to her parents, Ninette was also preceded in death by her husband, Brown Amis, five brothers, Garold Gilley, Maurice Gilley, Ronald Gilley, Raymond Gilley and Bill Gilley, and four sisters, Gwendolyn Gilley, Marie Clark, Lillian Turley and Hannah Thompson.

Ninette was Salutatorian of the Russell High School Class of 1951. Her love for education led her to pursue a teaching degree from Morehead State Teacher's College (Morehead State University), where she earned a bachelor's degree in English and Mathematics, and later, a master's degree with a rank I designation in secondary education. Ninette returned to Russell High School in downtown Russell in 1955 and began a successful and impactful teaching career that spanned across 38 years, touching the lives of thousands of Russell students, until she retired from full-time teaching in 1993.

She loved teaching and she loved her students. The local author, Jesse Stuart, quoted "I am firm in my belief that a teacher lives on through his (her) students. Good teaching is forever and the teacher is immortal". Ninette (Mrs. Amis) was the epitome of the dedication and passion required by a teacher who wanted to make a difference in the lives of her students. Beyond the classroom, she was known for helping organize the senior trip each year and was always seen taking up tickets at the football and basketball games.

Ninette was later honored as one of the first inductees into the Russell High School Alumni Hall of Fame. As a lifelong resident of Flatwoods, Ninette was also extremely knowledgeable of the history of the city. Born in the Gilley House, which now stands in the Flatwoods City Park, she presented historical addresses during the Flatwoods Homecoming Celebration and the Gilley House Dedication Ceremony.

In 2021, Ninette was appointed Grand Marshall of the Flatwoods Christmas Parade and recognized as a Kentucky Colonel. Her other activities included the Greenup County Retired Teachers Association, Delta Kappa Gamma Society for Key Women Educators (Epsilon Chapter) with 40 years of membership. Ninette was a lifelong member of Advance Methodist Church, where she sang in the Jubilee Choir and had served as Sunday School Superintendent for many years. She loved to entertain with her wassail and homemade goodies and was known to make many wedding cakes for her family celebrations.

Above all else, Ninette will be remembered for the love she poured into the people around her. Her family was the center of her life, and she treasured every moment spent with them, extending that same unwavering devotion to her church family, her friends, and the community she so faithfully served. Selfless by nature, she consistently placed the needs of others before her own, offering a listening ear, a helping hand, and a compassionate heart wherever she was needed. She was an extraordinary caregiver to her siblings, providing them with steadfast love, strength, and support through every season of life. Her kindness, humility, and servant's heart left a lasting impact on all who knew her, and the legacy of her love will continue to inspire those blessed to have shared in her life.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Anita Zoe Mattingly (Bryan) of Rush, and son, Kevin Brown Amis (Felicia Ann) of Dauphin Island, Alabama; her grandchildren, Tristan Ann Amis of Mobile, Alabama, Christopher Jay Amis of Mobile, Alabama, and Kali Zoe Mattingly (Andrew Madden) of Cleveland, Ohio; and one great-grandchild, Trevor Wade Taylor of Wilmer, Alabama; and a host of nieces, nephews, friends, former students and former caregivers who will mourn her passing.

Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 PM, Friday, July 24, 2026, at Advance Methodist Church in Flatwoods, Kentucky, with Pastor Sean Shroll Officiating. Burial will follow at Bellefonte Memorial Gardens.

Serving as Ninette's pallbearers are Bill Thompson, Samuel Atkins, Jacob Atkins, Greg Stevens, Phillip Cleaver and Dave Parker.

Visitation will be from 6:00 PM till 8:00 PM, Thursday July 23, 2026, at Advance Methodist Church (1007 Bellefonte Rd, Flatwoods, KY 41139).

All arrangements for Ninette Zoe Gilley Amis are under the direction and care of Carman Funeral Home, 2301 Argillite Rd. Flatwoods, Kentucky 41139.