Kathie Pritchett, born Sarah Kathleen Gilliam on September 13, 1929, in Van Zandt Co. Texas, passed away the evening of November 30, 2022.
Her parents were Lawrence M. Gilliam and Katie Van Zandt Paschall, both members of pioneer families of Van Zandt County, Texas. Kathie attended Fairview school and graduated from Wills Point High school in 1947. While working for the Lone Star Gas Company in Dallas, she met William C. Pritchett an electrical engineer with Atlantic Richfield Company as they both attended the Oak Lawn United Methodist Church. They married on July 1, 1951, in Wills Point and honeymooned in Mexico. In 1968 they moved from Dallas to Plano, Texas where she enjoyed gardening, raising her four children and eventually spoiling her grandchildren.
Kathie was a member of Van Zandt County Genealogical Society, where she contributed family sketches for the Van Zandt County History Books period after making an inventory and recording names of all head stones in Wesley Chapel Cemetery, located near Canton, Texas. Her relentless efforts resulted in a Texas Historical Marker being installed in 1997 for this cemetery.
As a member of Plano Fine Arts League, she promoted arts and music in schools. In 1973, She worked with others to preserve and set up the Heritage Farmstead and she proudly served on many of its committees. While petitioning for a Collin County Community College, she received her BA from the University of Texas at Dallas in 1981. Not one to rest, she was also a member of the Dallas Geological and Geophysical Auxiliary, and the United Methodist Women.
Kathie went in front of the Plano City Council as she and Bill proposed and promoted a special Veterans Memorial in Memorial Park in Plano. Completed in May 2010, it includes the names of all known Plano servicemen killed in several wars. During one memorial service there was a special dedication of a plaque that was installed at the park in appreciation of their efforts.
Kathie was well traveled and took trips with Bill to Mexico, Japan, Indonesia, Singapore, Russia, Hawaii and cruised the Northwest Passage. She enjoyed reading and traveling with family to Washington, D.C., the Grand Canyon, Colorado, California, Canada, France, England, and other places. There were many fun family summer retreats at Rockport, Texas, and as well as at the cabin with boating on Lake Texoma.
Kathie and Bill shared their lives together until his death in 2013. She is survived by her children, son John Lawrence Pritchett, along with his wife Shirley and their sons John Dylan and Jarod Cole; Jean Marie Pritchett Villacampa, along with her husband Philippe Villacampa and daughters Valerie Annick and Anna Kathleen along with her great-granddaughter Josephine Jean; son William Ray Pritchett, along with his wife Tammy and their children William Christopher and Crystal Marie; son Lloyd Winston Pritchett along with his daughter Sydney Meredith, as well as many other beloved family members.
A Memorial Service & Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, December 7, 2022 at 1:00 PM at the First United Methodist Church of Plano at 3160 E Spring Creek Parkway, Plano, TX.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heritage Farmstead Museum or the charity of your choice.
Ted Dickey Funeral Home in Plano, Texas has charge of arrangements.
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