Kathryn Williams Katy Mitchem

Kathryn (Katy) Williams Mitchem moved to her heavenly home on Saturday, July 21, 2012 after battling ovarian cancer. She went peacefully to be with the Lord Jesus after living a life of love and grace. Katy's life is an example of a Proverbs 31 woman, gracious to family, friends and strangers. She would not say an unkind word about anyone and was a good witness of God's mercy and compassion in her life.

She was born in Henderson, Texas on May 18, 1934 to Edna and Palmer Williams. Her family later moved to New Iberia, Louisiana where she graduated from high school and then went on to Southwest Louisiana Institute in Lafayette (University of Louisiana Lafayette) graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. She started her career in New Orleans at Oschner's Hospital as a surgical nurse. Later she met Miles Mitchem, a young dental student at Loyola Dental School. They fell in love and were married July 5, 1959. Upon graduation from dental school they moved to Paris Island, South Carolina for a commitment to the Navy. After fulfilling that commitment they moved to Lake Charles, La. where they have lived 50 years.

Katy was active in church throughout her life, teaching Sunday school, working with college students, Girls in Action programs, Vacation Bible School as well as serving on various committees. She was always willing to host parties and fellowships. She served as an officer in the Dental Auxiliary, P.E.O. and many other community programs. She was an active member of Bible Study Fellowship (BSF). She had been a member of Sale Street Baptist for over 20 years.

Katy was extremely creative and loved to do all types of activities, crafts, painting, sewing and gardening.

Katy is survived by husband of fifty-three years, Miles Randall Mitchem DDS, daughters, Myra Starkey (Taylor) of Victoria, TX, Susie Mitchem of Houston, TX and Cindy Lemmons (Charlie) of San Antonio, TX. She has five grandchildren who will miss her: Miles Harrell Starkey, Hannah Marie Starkey-Smith (Ben), Spencer Mitchem Starkey, Kathryn Patricia Lemmons, Leah Mitchem Lemmons and grand-dogs. Siblings Wayne Williams, Jan Williams Sparks and Linda Williams Cooke and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held at 2 pm on Sunday, July 29 at Sale Street Baptist Church in Lake Charles under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Reverend Randy Edwards will officiate. Burial will be at Highland Memory Gardens following the service. Visitation will be at Johnson Funeral Home on Saturday, July 28 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm.

Pallbearers will be Paul Hay, Bob Green, Gene Hay, Rick Humphrey, John Rhoden and Nolan Moore.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Gideons International, P O Box 5942, Lake Charles, LA 70606.