Mary Kathleen McClain Graeber

She was born May 9, 1931, in Shelbyville, Indiana, to the late George and Dorothy McClain. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Max Charles Graeber; and by her sons, Stephen Graeber and Charles Graeber. She is survived by her brother, George McClain and his wife, Linda of Huntington, West Virginia. She is also survived by her daughter, Susan Coston and her husband, Chip, her son, Jeffrey M. Graeber and his wife, Mary Marshall, and her youngest daughter, Marianne Wild and her husband, Scott. She leaves behind six grandchildren, Andrew Coston and his wife Victoria, Amanda Coston and her fiancé Siddharth Ancha, McClain Graeber, Thomas Graeber, Abby Wild, Jake Wild, and Rosemary Wild.

Kathy, as she was known to family and friends, was a lifelong learner and leader in her community. She was elected Governor of her high school, Hoosier Girls’ State, in 1948, a role which gave her the opportunity to shake the hand of President Truman at the White House. During her studies at Indiana University, she was elected to Mortar Board and became a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority. She cherished the lifelong relationships she made with her sorority friends. After graduating from Indiana University with a degree in Education, she and her husband moved to San Antonio, Texas, where he served in the Air Force and she began her decades-long career of teaching. She taught at high schools and universities in Texas, Indiana, Ohio and Virginia. She was named Outstanding Lecturer at the Evening School of the University of Richmond, and she was elected to Best Teachers in America in 1994 by students of Central Virginia Community College. Kathy also earned a Master’s Degree from the University of Richmond in Speech and Communication. She was honored to serve as Vice Rector of Longwood University’s Board of Visitors, Chairman of the Bedford County Regional Library Board, and President of the American Association of University Women in Bedford, VA, and Bowling Green, Ohio.

Teaching was her passion and her family was her love.

She was a wonderful, caring mother and a very supportive wife. A great cook and an avid reader, she also enjoyed gardening and loved birds and dogs.

A memorial service will be held at noon on Friday, February 10, at Second Baptist Church at the corner of Gaskins and River Road. Burial to be private at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association.