Palestine High School Alumni Association

03 / 05 / 1930  –  03 / 13 / 2014

Services for Katie Griffith Wilson, 84, of Palestine will be held on Sunday, March 23, 1:30 p.m., at Lone Pine Baptist Church with Dr. Ron Sloan officiating. Burial will follow in Roselawn Park. Arrangements are under the direction of Bailey & Foster, Palestine.

Mrs. Wilson ‘Katie’ died Thursday at East Texas Medical Center.

Micah 6:8 (The Message) But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, And don’t take yourself too seriously— take God seriously.

Katie was born March 5, 1930, in Anderson County to Karl Cook Griffith and Mattie Mae ­­­­­­­­Carr Griffith.   From the age of 12 she took these words from Micah as a serious call on her life. Wherever she went and whomever she encountered, Katie was working to make the world a more beautiful and compassionate place.

She was the owner of Bouquets by Katie for many years, was a member of Yaupon Garden Club, was a life time member of Texas State Garden Club, and organized countless beautification projects around Palestine. Katie also worked as a receptionist for Bailey & Foster Funeral Home for numerous years.

Katie was an active member of Lone Pine Baptist Church. Along with her husband, she volunteered in mission work all over the states of Texas, Oklahoma, and Missouri. This work ranged from cooking for various mission trips, working for 12 years at The Stockpot (a local kitchen serving the less fortunate), helped construct and manage Hospitality House in Tennessee Colony, taught in Backyard Bible Clubs and at Piney Woods Baptist Encampment, served on the Crisis Board of Anderson and Cherokee counties, organized and conducted Bible school in Smith Point, co-managed a shelter for abused women and children’s shelter, served as director of Saline Association WMU (Women’s Mission Union), taught Sunday School, and advocated tirelessly for countless other local, national, and international mission efforts.

Matthew 25:21 (New International Version) “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

Katie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 40 years, Edward ‘Ed’ Wilson; son, Brett Wilson; grandson, Ethan Hartzog; brothers, Jack ‘KC’ Griffith, Robert Griffith; and a sister, Pauline Mehaffey.

Katie is survived by daughters, Kathie Hartzog, Becky Kitcher and husband Ronnie Kitcher, Lisa Johnson, and Kim Inglish; two brothers, Kenneth Griffith and Tommy Griffith; nine grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Chad Rampy, Ryan Hartzog, Reed Hartzog, Ross Rampy, Booder McWhorter, and Jason Wilson. Honorary pallbearers will be Katie Hartzog, Kori McWhorter, Haley Hartzog, Jayden Rampy.

Condolence calls will be received Saturday, March 22, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., at Bailey & Foster Funeral Home, Palestine.

In lieu flowers donations may be made to a mission or outreach project of your choice.