Congratulations to our first place winners in the 2026 Knox County's Best contest!
We've shared the complete list below. If you purchased an ad or sign, you'll find a graphic attached!
If you make your own post and graphic celebrating your win, please tag us @ The Mountain Advocate!
We will be sharing the runners-up shortly following this post.
RELIGION
Pastor Tyler Shields
Church First Baptist Church
Choir First Baptist Church
(Write-in) Devan King
RECREATION
Community Festival Daniel Boone Festival
Club/Organization Jr. Woman’s Study Club
SCHOOL
Principal Jeff Frost
Elem. School Teacher Mindy Lake
Middle School Teacher Brittany Irvin
High School Teacher Jeremy Abner
College/Univ. Professor Sarah Abner
College/Univ. Staff Clay Butler
Teacher’s Aide Dinky Phipps
Best High School Barbourville High School
Best Elementary School Barbourville Ele. School
Best Middle School Barbourville M. School
(Write-in) Bus Driver - Nora Faithing
SCHOOL SPORTS
Coach Marcus McKeehan
Referee Michael Hartman
School Sports Team KCHS Boys Basketball
Athlete Jathan Collins
Elementary Athlete Jase Lake
Middle School Athlete Abram Smith
High School Athlete Caiden Miracle
College/Univ. Athlete Baylee Keck
Cheer Squad Barbourville High School
Dance Team Barbourville High School
(Write-in) Amy Messer - Girdler Elem. Secretary
BANKING/FINANCE
Bank/Credit Union PNC Bank
Bank President/Manager Tim Davis
Loan Officer Tim Throckmorton
Teller Bridget Mills
Finance Company Southeast Financial
Mortgage Company Top Flite
Title Company Commercial Bank
(Write-in) Tim Davis - VP, PNC Bank
HEALTH CARE
Clinic / Practice Access Health
Assisted Living Barbourville Health & Rehab.
Doctor Dr. Thomas Ashburn
Nurse Practitioner Barbara Bargo
Nurse / RN Leslie Vaughn
LPN Melissa Collins
Pediatrician Dr. Goutham Habblenath
CNA Sally North
Physical Therapist Anne Pedersen
Emergency Med. Tech. Kiersten Dunaway
Pharmacy Knox Professional Pharmacy
Pharmacist Frankie Abner
Pharmact Technician Melissa Abner
Dentist Henry Hays
Dental Assistant Paige Hobbs
Optometrist Dr. Cynthia Corbin
Fitness Center Knox Fitness
Chiropractor Dr. Kendra Hubbard
Massage Therapist Jessica McBee
Behavorial Health Family Pride
(Write-in) Stuart Mac, PA-C
BEAUTY CARE
Hair Salon Flossie’s
Barber Shop Kilgore’s Barber Shop
Stylist Jess Smith
Barber Stacy Warren
Nail Tech Samantha Thomas
Makeup Taylor Horvath
Tanning Salon Salon Perfection
Tattoo / Piercing Tamara Henson
Waxing That Glow
Aesthetics/Skin Care That Glow
(Write-in) Braid - One Eyed Jacks
GOVERNMENT
City Council Member Jacob Rose
City Gov’t Employee David Thompson
County Gov’t Employee Chandler Smith
Court Judge Skip Hammons
Attorney Shaw Owens
Magistrate Jeff Ketcham
Constable Dinky Phipps
WORKPLACE
Place to Work Hampton-Hutton Funeral Home
Manager/Boss Roger Hutton
Secretary/Receptionist Vickie Abner
Customer Service KCEOC
Friendliest Staff KCEOC
FUNERAL / MEMORIALS
Funeral Home Knox Funeral Home
Funeral Director Roger Hutton
Funeral Home Emp. Rev. James Vandy
Monument Co. Parkway Monument
HOME IMPROVEMENT
Building & Plumbing Supplies Pope Lumber
Electrical Supplies Pope Lumber
Heating & Air Centers
Furniture Crawford’s Furniture
Agriculture Store Tractor Supply
Contractor/Carpenter Andrew Walker
Lawn Care Hawkeye Lawn Care
Concrete/Brick Layer Jeremy Bargo
Flooring Southeast Floor Supply
Plants / Gardening Hammons
(Write-in) Brad Bargo - Plumber
GROCERY
Grocery Store Savealot
Grocery Employee Devin Mills - IGA
Produce Stand Countywide Produce
AUTOMOTIVE
Auto Parts Store Epp’s Auto Parts
New Car Dealership Legacy Chevrolet
Used Car Dealership Mark Motors
Car Salesperson Steve Farmer
Mechanic EG Abner
Oil Changes Bingham Tire & Oil
Tires Denny’s Tires
Body Shop Smith’s Body Shop
Wrecker Service Smith’s Body Shop
PROFESSIONALS
CPA / Accounting Mills Hensley
Insurance Agency Mt. Valley Insurance
Insurance Agent Rachel Liford
Real Estate Agency Creative Realty
Realtor Joey Abner
Auctioneer Greg Helton
Photographer Justin Matlock
Wedding Planner Glen Farmer
Day Care Jack ‘n Jill
Event Venue The Swan House
Parcel/Mail Delivery Michael Doolin - USPS
(Write-in) The Swan House - Wedding Chapel
RETAIL / MISC.
Floral Shop Knox Florist
Tobacco Store Fast Lane Tobacco
Clothing Bombshell Beauties
Boutique Blue Willow
Liquor / Spirits Knox Street Liquor
FOOD / BEVERAGES
Fast Food McDonald’s
Home Cooking The Oven Mitt
Sandwiches Countywide Produce
Mexican Los Primos Mexican Restaurant
Chinese / Japanese Hua Ming
Best Overall Restaurant The Oven Mitt
Restaurant Manager Melinda Hobbs
Breakfast McDonald’s
Coffee McDonald’s
Lunch Countywide Produce
Burgers & Fries Hamburger Hut
Hot Dogs Tommy’s Rootbeer Stand
Pizza Oasis
Ice Cream Crave
Cakes Sweets by Ella
Catering Countywide Produce
Food Truck Junior’s Hibachi
BBQ Flying Pig BBQ
Specialty Drink Barbourville Nutrition
LAW ENFORCEMENT
State Police Trooper Trp. Shane Jacobs
Sheriff’s Deputy Dep. Darain Abner
City Police Officer Winston Tye
Det. Center Employee Billie Ferguson
(Write-in) Tony Smith - Forest Ranger
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