Kathryn Laverne Barchard Callaway

Published 6:12 pm Monday, February 17, 2014

Dr. Kathryn Laverne Barchard Callaway, 83, known lovingly to all as “Kitty,” went to be with the Lord on Feb. 16 to reunite with her family gone before.

She was born Jan. 9, 1931, in Foley, to Myrtle Marie Morris and Col. Frank Vernon Barchard Jr., former owners and publishers of the Onlooker newspaper in Foley.

Born and raised in Foley, she followed her career to several states but lived in Verbena for 20 years as she taught at Univeristy of Alabama at Birmingham.

She returned to Foley to live the past four years until her recent illness and moved to Billingsley with her granddaughter Rhea Paladino Burnett.

She was an active member of Verbena Methodist Church in Verbena and when Kitty moved back to Foley she faithfully attended Summerdale Baptist Church in Summerdale and Fishermen’s Church in Bon Secour.

Callaway graduated from Foley High School and earned her bachelor’s degree in secondary education; her master’s and doctorate degrees in educational psychology, all from the University of Alabama. She taught at Monmouth College, the University of South Carolina, and University of Alabama at Birmingham.  As a prolific researcher she was recruited and served as Director of Research and Development for the School of Nursing Research program at University of Alabama in Birmingham in the 1970s through the 80s, where she taught advanced statistics and research methods and procedures. She served on numerous collegiate boards and advisory committees. She attended the Piaget Institute and was one of 12 in the USA honored to receive training under the direction of the renowned developmental psychologist and philosopher, Jean Piaget.

Teaching was a calling for Callaway. She spent many years teaching; work experience Baldwin County Board of Education, Monmouth College, New York State College, University of South Carolina, UAB, University of Alabama, Auburn University in Montgomery, Troy and everywhere she went ex-students and student family members would greet her and she remembered them all. She was a wonderfully loving, caring person who had a joyful spirit and generous heart.

She encouraged all to get an education and once on the education track she continued to motivate them to complete their academic goals.

She recently encouraged and consulted a family member as they conducted research and wrote their dissertation to complete their doctorate in Education Leadership and then traveled to Texas to attend the doctoral graduation ceremonies.

She was very proud of her great-grandchildren’s academic and extracurricular activity accomplishments.

Kathryn was survived by her cherished granddaughter, Rhea Kristan (Derrick) Burnett; great-granddaughters Alexis Jordan, Britney Dianne, and Lindsey Michelle Burnett of Billingsley and Chyanne, Shalya and Kathyrn Barchard, of Clanton; step-daughters Carolyn (Scott) Grossberg of California, Debra Hartviskson; stepsons, David Callaway and Bob Callaway and nine step-grandchildren; brother-in-law Norwood Earl Thames of San Antonio, Texas; niece Marilyn Marie Thames McCaig (David) and nephews Norwood Earl Thames Jr. (Yolanda), Marion Thomas Thames (Tina), Dale Alan Thames (Jeannie) and Richard E. Thames (Daisy) all from Corpus Christi and San Antonio, Texas and numerous other relatives and friends.

Dr. Callaway is preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Myrtle Barchard; brother, Dr. Frank Vernon Barchard Jr.; sister, Myrtle Marie Barchard Thames; daughter, Pamela Kathryn Danial (Kathy) and husband, Nolan Chester Callaway.

Viewing will be Feb. 19 at 1 p.m. with service to follow at 2 p.m. at Verbena Methodist Church in Verbena.

A graveside service will be held Feb. 20 at 11 a.m. at Pine Rest Cemetery in Foley.