Mrs. Katherine Hemphill, 88, passed away on Sunday, July 1, 2012, at the Winston Medical Center Nursing Home in Louisville, Mississippi. Visitation will be Monday, July 2, 2012, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Nowell-Massey Funeral Home in Louisville, Mississippi. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 3, 2012, at Nowell-Massey Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Charles Rook and Rev. Bobby Joe Butler officiating. Interment will be in Sardis Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mrs. Hemphill was born March 4, 1924. She was a member of Crystal Ridge Baptist Church where she was an active member of the church until her health failed her. One of her most pleasurable times was going on tours where she enjoyed visiting with everyone on the tour. She was energetic and always had a smile on her face. She was also a member of the Eastern Star and was a food service worker with the Louisville Public School system.
Mrs. Hemphill is survived by her daughter, Sandra Clark, of Louisville, Mississippi. She is also survived by five grandchildren: Peggy Ward and husband, Rod; Dianne Cunningham and husband, Carter; Tommy Clark; Angela Rivera; and Jodie Lynn Andrews. She has 14 great-grandchildren: Coleman Ford; Rion Blevins and wife, Leslie; Roland Ray and wife, Bonnie; Janie Ward; Mariah Clark; Mallie Jane Rivera; Alexander Ward; Colin Ward; Cassi Ward; Aaron Rivera; Jakob Cunningham; Scotty Cunningham; Jessie Edwards; and Evan Edwards. Mrs. Hemphill also has six great-great-grandchildren: Will Ford; Austin Ray; Lily Ford; Tori Blair; Tommy Ray; and Hunter Blevins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Willie Burkes Hemphill; her parents, Noah and Alpha Sullivan Hollis; her brother, Milton Hollis; her son, Jodie Donald Hemphill; her daughter, Melba Hemphill; her granddaughter, Martha Manning; and four infant children. She was also preceded in death by her grandson, James Randall Hemphill Reed; her great-grandson, Kyle Clark Ray; and her great-great-grandson, Jacob Ray.
Pallbearers will be Tommy Clark, Rion Blevins, Coleman Ford, Doug Sullivan, Jerry Sullivan, Evan Edwards, and Danny Sullivan. Honorary pallbearers will be her great-grandsons. Memorials may be given to Crystal Ridge Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Amanda Eaves, 2305 Crystal Ridge Road, Louisville, MS, or to Sardis Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Glenda Thomas, 215 Thomas Road, Louisville, MS. Arrangements are under the direction of Nowell-Massey Funeral Home, 724 N. Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.