Kathryn "Mamaw" Deaton

Mamaw and I developed such a strong connection in our 18 years of knowing each other.  We both have a passion for good juicy gossip and chocolate.  I sure am going to miss her!

Sweet Words - Written by my husband Matt who did her eulogy

(don't read them unless you want to start sobbing uncontrollably) 

Mamaw thank you, thank you thank you.  I don’t know if you want the other grandkids to know this or not, but thanks for all those $20 bills you gave me over the years when I was growing up, for no reason, when it wasn’t my birthday or Christmas or anything.  I always knew that I was your favorite.  And you had a way of making us all feel like your favorite.  We were so loved by you.  You were always giving us everything you had.  And we know you’re really going to love heaven, a place where there’s nothing but love. You’re going to fit right in, because there was nothing but love in you.  Thanks for that.  Thanks for showing us how to laugh, especially how to laugh at ourselves.  You were great at that.  When Mackenzie fixed your hair in the hospital a couple weeks ago when we thought you were dying, and you just laughed, because your silver hair looked so pretty even though it was messy, that was a beautiful moment.  And when you told the teenage girl grandkids, “I was almost gone forever, girls.  But I’m not.”  And you laughed.  That was a beautiful moment.  And you’re still not gone forever.  Thanks.  And thanks for always wanting us to stay longer no matter how long we had stayed.  Thanks for putting in a pool for us, even though you hated to swim, because that’s how bad you wanted your kids and grandkids to be at your house, in your back yard.  And thanks for always wanting us to come over.  And always telling us to come back soon.  And always having to kiss us before we leave, you and Karen.  And always telling us how much you love us.  And always wanting us to be safe out on that dangerous road.  And caring so much about us.  And worrying so much over us.  Thanks.  We wish we could have kept you here with us longer.  Our family won’t be the same without you.  But we’re happy for you.  We’re happy that you’re in heaven now.  We’re happy that you taught us to believe in heaven, to believe that death is only a temporary good bye.  That we get to go to heaven when we die.  Thanks for believing that and helping us believe that.  Thanks for reminding us over and over and over again that you were ready to die when it was your time, and that when your time came on Wednesday, you were ready to go and went quickly.  That you died in the arms of people you love so much, your beloved Karen Lou and Ben Douglas.  And that you left behind so much love and so much joy.  That you taught us that God and people matter most, that God and people are all that really matter.  Thank you, Mamaw.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  We love you so much.  And we loved being loved by you so much.  And we can’t wait to see you again one day on that beautiful, peaceful shore of heaven, when we cross over that river, when we get to go home to where you are now, with God and Jesus and the angels and your family in heaven.  You will live on in heaven and you will live on in us, in our memories and our stories about you and the way we love each other and in the way we laugh.  Thanks for laughing so much.  Even on the hard days.  Even when you didn’t feel good.  Even when your head had been hurting for two years.  Thanks for laughing until the end.  We can’t imagine someone living a better life than you lived.  Thanks.  We love you.  And we will miss you.  Some people who were really close to God like you talked about there being thin places in the world.  Places in the world where the line between heaven and earth gets really thin.  Places where you can feel God.  Mamaw, you were one of those thin places.  We could feel God in you. Words can’t express how much we love you and will miss you.  Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.  We will count the days until we see you again.

Kathryn Smith Deaton, 85, of Bowling Green, passed away Feb. 5, 2014, at her home. 

She was born Sept. 3, 1928, in Wayne County, a daughter of the late Menifee and Maude Smith. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Gene Deaton. 

She is survived by her children, Jacqueline Gibson, Colvin Deaton, Larry Deaton, Karen Deaton, Royce Deaton and Dawn Coleman; 16 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Kathryn worked at Holley Carburetors for 17 years. She was a member of Community Church of Christ and was loved by all.

Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Community Church of Christ in Bowling Green. There will be a celebration of life following visitation.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to The Community Church of Christ.