Kathy Bartholomew
Mary Kathy Greenway Bartholomew, devoted Christian, loving mother and wife, and valued educator, relocated to her heavenly home Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023. She was 71.
She was born in Chicago, Ill., to the late Albert and Katherine Harris Greenway Elkins on Jan. 7, 1952. She graduated with the last class of Jackson High School in Jackson, Tenn., with the Class of 1970 and earned a teaching degree from the University of Tennessee at Martin in 1980. Children and education being her passions, Kathy spent her professional life shaping the minds of students in Obion, Carroll, Gibson and Henderson counties, retiring in 2013, having received the Henderson County Teacher of the Year award in 2010.
Kathy married David Bartholomew Nov. 24, 1970, and they were together until his death in 2018. They had two children, Susan and Kevin, and spent their marital years in Union City and, later, Lexington, Tenn.
A music lover, Kathy loved to sing and played the piano beautifully. Over the years, she was a member of several singing groups in churches she attended. Additionally, she served as the regular pianist from her youth through the remainder of her adult life in the many churches where her husband was on staff. She was actively engaged in teaching Sunday School for children, assisted in youth worship, served as the director of Vacation Bible School for a number of years, and willingly served the Lord at every opportunity. She loved her community and served as a volunteer for the Henderson County Election Commission, was a member of the Library Board and worked as a volunteer tutor at South Haven Elementary.
Kathy was the living embodiment of 1 Corinthians 13. She was patient and kind, humble, she never spoke ill of others and never sought praise for her many accomplishments in life. A lifelong follower of Christ, she always worked towards truth, and did so with love in her heart.
Kathy was preceded in death by her husband, David Bartholomew; parents, Albert Greenway and Katherine Greenway Elkins; and stepfather, Larry Elkins. She is survived by daughter, Susan Metheny (Tommy) of Huntsville, Ala.; son, Kevin Bartholomew (Britney) of South Fulton; grandchildren, Christopher Friend (26), Dyana Metheny (25), Meghan Metheny (22), Jacob Hanna (19), Harper Bartholomew (14) and Maddox Bartholomew (4); brother and sister-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Danny (Pam) Greenway; sister-in-law, Linda Bartholomew; stepbrothers, Doug (Brenda) Elkins and Howard Elkins; stepsister, Sonya (Jason) Dugan; and several beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Services for Kathy were held on Monday, Sept. 18, at 2 p.m. at Pafford Funeral Home in Lexington. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to Middelfork Road Baptist Church or Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy.
Published in The Messenger/9.20.23