Katherine Simpson Bethune, age 84, passed peacefully at home in Centreville, AL, on December 24, 2024, with family by her side. She was born October 29, 1940, in Columbus, MS, to Willie Aubrey Simpson and Eva Mae Beard Simpson.

Katherine led a long and happy life with her loving husband, Charles. She loved spending time with family, and had a passion for flowers, gardening, and caring for her cat, Spooky. She was 19 and working as a waitress when she met Charles Bethune, the love of her life. They married November 26, 1959, and moved to Memphis, TN, where Charles attended barber college. They later moved to Aberdeen, MS, where they made their home for 50 years. During this time, Katherine worked at making custom drapes, and then helped her husband open Bethune's Plumbing and Heating, where she was co-owner, secretary, and bookkeeper. After retirement, they moved to Centreville, AL, to be closer to family.

Katherine was a Christian who knew her Lord and Savior. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles C. Bethune, in 2022, daughter Brenda Lynn Bethune, parents Willie Aubrey Simpson and Eva Mae Beard Simpson, sister Willie Mae Durrett, and brother Leroy Simpson.

Survivors include her daughter, Melinda Jean Bethune of Tuscaloosa, grandson Michael Charles Lloyd Prewitt (Laura), and 2 great-grandsons, Tristan Charles Prewitt and Gavin Sheppard Prewitt, of Vestavia Hills, AL, sisters Shirley Ann Holladay (Louis), Rose Ellen McMillian, Etoy Palmer, and Loventrice Crossley, brother Troy (Tommy) Lee Simpson, and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service to honor Katherine Simpson Bethune will be held December 28, 2024, at Dowdle Funeral Home in Millport, AL. Visitation will be from 10:00 -11:00 a.m., with funeral immediately following. Interment will be in Wofford Cemetery, Vernon, AL. under the direction of Dowdle Funeral Home.

Pallbearers are Louis Holladay, Terry Roberts, Michael Lane, Robert Holladay and Michael Charles Lloyd Prewitt. Honorary Pallbearers are Michele Roberts, Elizabeth (Paige) Hauck and Jason Drummond.  The family would like to give special thanks to Hospice of West Alabama.