MSU Mourns Alum and Former Employee Denise Gamble Trusty

Denise Maria Gamble Trusty, former director of financial aid at Morehead State University and advocate for student success, passed away at her home in Salyersville on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, at the age of 50.

Trusty, originally from Magoffin County, Kentucky, was a dedicated member of the MSU community. She worked there for the past eight years and brought three decades of experience in higher education to her role.

A 1992 Magoffin County High School graduate, she earned an associate degree in science and a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting. In 2008, she graduated from MSU with a Master of Arts in Adult and Higher Education.

Vice President for Student Affairs Russell Mast reflects on his experiences with Trusty.

“I could call her at any time with students who had financial aid needs,” Mast said. “She would help them and find financial aid solutions for them. She always put students first.”

Beyond her professional contributions, Trusty loved traveling and spending time with her family. She is survived by her husband, David Trusty; her son, Michael Trusty, of Salyersville; her daughter, Allie Trusty, of Morehead; her parents, Kermit and Barbara Fay Phipps Gamble; two sisters, Garnett (Carl) Pence of Wolfe County and Wanda (Eddie) Porter of Salyersville; three nieces and four nephews. She was preceded in death by her infant brother, Michael Ray Gamble.

With Larry Morris officiating, funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025, at the Magoffin County Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in the Gamble Family Cemetery at Buffalo, Salyersville, Kentucky. Friends may visit the funeral home on Monday, Jan. 27, from 5 to 9 p.m. and any time before the funeral services.

To view her obituary, visit https://www.magoffincountyfuneralhome.com/obituary/denise-trusty.