Kathleen Woosley Blakely

Kathleen Woosley Blakely, only child of William Craig and Hazel Worthington Woosley was born October 12, 1929. She graduated Salutatorian from Prescott High School, continued on to State Teachers College of Arkansas and finished as an honor graduate from the University of Arkansas with a degree in Spanish and French. She and Shell Blakely married in 1950. They were honored by friends and family at both their 50th and 60th wedding celebrations. Kathleen loved life, her family, friends, her community, tennis, water skiing, and swimming. She was a member of Alpha Sigma Tau at STCA, included in Outstanding Women of Arkansas, President of the Searcy chapter of American Association of University women, a member of PEO, and Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. She is survived by her husband, Shell Blakely, her three daughters, Kathy Lightle (Steve) Kim Eubanks, and Ann Blakely Katz (Rob). She is also survived by six grandchildren, Blakely Howell (Chris), Taylor Wolfe (David), Randall Lefler (J.K.), Shell Eubanks, Hannah Katz, and Sophie Katz and four great-grandchildren, Brayden Wolfe, Maitland Gann, Bax Howell, and Payne Howell. Kathleen was known for many talents, including being an excellent knitter and teacher of dozens of new knitters, and avid water skier so once again, an avid teacher of over 107 new skiers, saved many birds who crashed into her super clean windows, and made unbelievably wonderful strawberry preserves. She was always a daredevil, learning to snow ski at 50 and going down the steepest slopes, parasailing in Mexico, and riding on Rebel, "her horse," until she was eighty, and sledding with her children in the snow. She loved bluebirds, snakes (because she was terrified of mice), freshly pressed sheets, sunsets on the lake, entertaining, any stray animals, Perry Como, Ferris wheels (but not roller coasters), painting Santas, and swimming. One of her passions was to teach adults to read. Her grandchildren remember her as having so much style, making the best Mickey and Minnie grilled cheese sandwiches, playing hours in the attic with them, making sure they could play Solitaire, and picking muscadines at the lake. One of her best stories was the night she dyed a baby chick pink because Ann's had died. She slept with it under her arm all night to keep it warm to keep Easter special. After her children and grandchildren said, "I love you," she always said, "I love you more." She wanted all her friends and family to know her favorite saying, "I shall pass this way but once. Therefore, any good that I can do, or any kindness that I can do, or any kindness I can show, let me do it now. For I shall not pass this way again." Visitation will be Saturday from 10:00 until 11:00 am at the Searcy First United Methodist Church. Memorial services will follow at 11:00 am at the church. The family has requested memorials be made to the Searcy First United Methodist Church or the Searcy Humane Society.

Kathleen Woosley Blakely

October 12, 1929 - June 23, 2016