Katherine Ireys Diehl's Obituary
Katherine Ireys Diehl passed away in Ellicott City, MD, a suburb of Baltimore, on the morning of Sunday, February 8, 2026. Born in Memphis, TN on July 23, 1946, she lived most of her life in Nashville, TN before spending her remaining years closer to family in Ellicott City. She dedicated her life to serving others, both professionally as a nurse for over 25 years and personally as an active member of her churches in Nashville, Westminster Presbyterian Church and Bellevue Presbyterian Church prior. She is survived in death by her two sons, Charles Edward Purple and his wife, Kathryn; Robert George Purple and his wife, Carly; her brother, William Hunt Diehl; and her three grandchildren, Charlie, Amelia, and David Purple.
A celebration of life will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church on Saturday, February 14 with a visitation starting at 10:30am followed by the memorial service at noon. She will be buried on Sunday, February 15 at Memorial Park and Cemetery in Memphis, TN. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Bellevue Presbyterian Church Sunny Day Club, the Stone & Holt Weeks Foundation, the Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, or a charity of your choosing.
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