Mary Katharine Fergeson Keathley was born in Havana, Arkansas, on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 1924, and died in Houston, Texas, on All Saints Sunday, 2019.

The middle child of Olive James and Ovie Holland Fergeson,

Katharine and siblings Virginia and James grew up in Havana; Baltimore, Maryland; and Fort Smith before moving to Main Street in Danville.

At age 16, Katharine graduated as Danville's salutatorian and entered Hendrix College, where she became President of the Student Senate and was selected to Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities. Her English degree enabled her to begin her teaching career in Walnut Ridge in 1945.

In 1946, Katharine married Robert Compton Keathley, and the newlyweds moved to Honduras. When they returned to Danville, Katharine taught English and was the high school librarian for 20 years. Teaching literature and writing, directing plays, chaperoning senior trips, initiating book fairs, publishing yearbooks, and working concession stands gave Katharine lasting relationships with students and their families. She was delighted when they returned to share memories and express appreciation of her compassionate and diligent work.

After receiving her Master of Library Science from the University of Oklahoma, Katharine became head librarian of Arkansas River Valley Regional Library in 1962. For 25 years, she worked with local citizens and county, state, and federal government to bring libraries out of courthouse basements and attics, establish programs to teach adults to read, provide quality programs for children, improve bookmobile routes, house local history, and connect the region with technology. Ten library branches were built during her tenure, and the 1988 addition to the headquarters library was named in her honor. She received the first Distinguished Service award from the Arkansas Library Association in 1979 and was a member of Arkansas's Committee of 100.

Following her retirement and Bob's death, Katharine found new purpose again in libraries. She became base librarian at Little Rock Air Force Base, served as librarian for Danville Elementary School, and accepted the invitation to develop the Family Services Library at Arkansas Children's Hospital.

Katharine's devotion to family exceeded her dedication to literacy. She and Bob were strong partners and loving parents whose unconditional love modeled duty, perseverance, and hope. Aunt Kay was a family favorite, and the household she and Bob created was the hub for holiday celebrations. As their beloved grandmother KK, she hosted private Danville vacations for each grandchild, complete with shopping, late night movies, and riding lessons.

Katharine is survived by her daughter Mary Frances Brown and son-in-law Tom; grandchildren Elizabeth Brown, Robert Brown and his wife Rachel, and Meredith Perkins and her husband Matthew; great-grandchildren Penelope Brown, Henry Brown, and Benjamin Perkins; nieces Linda Morgan, Claire Dunn, Sue Keathley, and Kay Wray; nephews James Fergeson and Clint Morris, great-nephews Ollie Morgan and Alex Morris, great-niece Paige Morris, and many friends.

Following a private interment, a memorial service will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, November 16, 2019, at Danville United Methodist Church, where Katharine was a lifelong

member. The family will receive friends at a reception following the service. For those desiring, memorials may be made to Arkansas River Valley Regional Library or Danville United Methodist Church.