Catherine Keathley's Obituary
Mary Catherine Thompson Keathley passed away peacefully with her daughter at her side on January 24, 2015 at Baptist Memorial Hospital. Born in Bemis, Tennessee, on July 18, 1923, Catherine was the only child of Herman and Clara Steele Thompson. She moved to Memphis with her family at age 9 and was a student at Snowden School. Following graduation from Central High School, she enrolled at Memphis State, now the University of Memphis, where she was known as “Kitty”. She was a member of Sigma Alpha Mu, was included in Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities, and was coordinator of several musical revues at the college, having studied dance all her life. She married the love of her life, Richard Franklin Keathley, on January 10, 1944, and they enjoyed 59 happy years of marriage prior to his death in 2003. A gracious Southern lady, Catherine was a former member of Duration Club, Dur-Arts, and the Lena P. Hart King’s Daughters Circle, where she served as sponsor of the junior circle. A lifelong member of Evergreen Presbyterian Church, she previously served as a circle leader and Sunday school teacher and was a MIFA volunteer. Although she and Richard spent several happy years living in Franklin, Tennessee, Memphis was always her home. Catherine was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her son Barry Wayne Keathley. Survivors who mourn her are daughter Susan Keathley Johnson, son-in-law Darryl Johnson, grandchildren Amanda Johnson Walker (Mark) of Nashville, Evan Johnson (Brandi) of Austin, Texas, and Bradley Johnson (Neela) of Nashville. She is also survived by great-grandchildren Cate and Ben Walker of Nashville and Mack and Miles Johnson of Austin. The family wishes to thank Kathryn Feinstone, Maxine Macklin and the staff of Attendant Care Services for their care and support. Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 29, 5-7 p.m. at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 5668 Poplar Avenue. Following a private burial, a memorial service for Catherine will be held on Friday, January 30 at 2:00 in the Chapel at Idlewild Presbyterian Church, 1750 Union. The family requests that memorials be sent to the Dixon Gallery and Gardens or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38119, “Behind the Stone Wall.”
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