Katherine Elder

Katherine Freeda Elder, youngest daughter of Fannie Melton Turner and Coy Turner was born in Wooten, KY on July 2, 1931.  She passed away September 25, 2023 in Athens, GA where she moved to spend her last years close to her daughter Kathy White, with whom she had a very special relationship.

As a child Katherine attended Annville Institute, in Annville, KY.  A private Christian school, Annville allowed her to work her way through school and she developed a strong work ethic from those early days.

Katherine attended Medical Technology School. She and her husband Earl Walker later established the Walker Academy Medical Technology School.
After moving to the Atlanta area in the early 1960s, she was named Medical Technology Director at Doctor’s Hospital in Tucker, GA the first women to hold that position.

When their mother could no longer live alone, Katherine and her three sisters shared the responsibility of caring for her. She found this to be a joy and pleasure as she returned the love her mother had always shown her.

After retirement, she and her second husband Paul Elder traveled widely, and enjoyed hunting for and selling antiques. Her passion was for fine jewelry and linens. Katherine loved making necklaces and had a special talent for perfect layout and design.  She enjoyed knowing her work was worn and appreciated by those who purchased it.

Katherine enjoyed going on trips with her daughter Kathy and her friends, with one of Kathy’s many dogs occasionally accompanying them.  Her favorite mother-daughter trip was to Yellowstone National Park.

Later in life when mobility issues kept her from moving about, she spent many happy hours cuddling with her grand dogs, Gertie and Babe.  They both officially belonged to her daughter but it was hard to tell when they were with Katherine.  Gertie was the special one but they both became an important part of her days and gave her more joy than she ever imagined.

For many years Katherine was a strong supporter of the Junior and Senior Fishing Rodeos as well as the Easter Egg hunts at A. H. Stephens State Park.  She found great pleasure in providing assistance for positive outdoor activities for young people.

Katherine was always known as a kind and gentle woman, one who was interested in others and unfailingly polite to all she met.  She was a gracious lady who made anyone around her feel welcomed and appreciated.  “A classy lady” perhaps best describes her and she will be missed by those who knew her.

Those who survive her include her daughter Kathy White and son-in-law Jack; Sisters Elise Moore (98); Frances Hensley (96); June Campbell (94); numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to any well-established canine assistance program of your choice.  A service for family and close friends will be held at a later date.