Kathleen Murphey Provost

Kathleen Provost was born on 12/11/1944 in Hazelhurst, MS to Walter Wilson Murphey and Helen Sims Sexton.

She received a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Religion at the University of Southern Mississippi in 1966, a Masters in Philosophy at Emory University in 1970 and a PhD in Philosophy at Emory University in 1971.

She led a distinguished academic career teaching Philosophy at University of Nevada in Las Vegas, and then at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. She taught at Emory University for eight years before moving to New Iberia, LA to pursue a writing career.

She traveled extensively in her younger years, once noting that her passport had been stamped repeatedly by a robot run amok. One notable experience involved visiting Greece during the time when Turkey invaded Cypress and witnessing the collapse of the Greek Cypriot military junta. Many of her personal experiences inspired her writing. Combine that with being an ardent feminist and an incorrigible romantic, Kathleen developed a knack for penning romance novels, becoming somewhat of a local celebrity with such titles as the Triumph of Andrea, The Rose and The Sword, and Cajun Lover, written under the name Katherine Sargent. She published several novels featuring strong heroines who did things for which women had not traditionally been given credit by historians.

Kathleen spent her later years teaching English in the Lafayette Parish School System before retiring in 2007.

Kathleen had an insatiable appetite for books and music, collecting an extensive library on Greek history and philosophy, religion, English literature, and opera and classical music. She frequently traveled to New York City and Houston, Texas to attend various opera and Broadway performances.

She loved cats and all things feline. She and Edward welcomed many fur babies into their home over the years.

Kathleen had been a resident of New Iberia Manor South since December 2021.

Kathleen is survived by her husband, Edward Provost of New Iberia, LA; sisters, Helen Austin of Little Rock, AR, and Estelle Campagna of New Orleans, LA.

A gathering of family and friends will be held at Evangeline Funeral Home Friday December 22, 2023 from 9:00 am until time of services. A celebration of Kathleen’s life will be held at 11:00 am, with The Very Reverend Anne B. Etheredge officiating. Following services, Kathleen will be laid to rest at Beau Pre Memorial Park Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, please make charitable donations to preferred organizations.

Relatives and friends are encouraged to share their memories and condolences with the family by visiting Kathleen’s memorial page at www.evangelinenewiberia.com

Evangeline Funeral Home of New Iberia is in charge of arrangements.