Funeral services for Mary Katherine Huffstetler McDaniel will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 19, 2022 at Beulah Baptist Church, 12777 Highway 585 in Oak Grove, with visitation taking place at noon before service. Kathy passed away Monday, Dec. 12, 2022, at her home in Oak Grove. She was 73.
Known as Yaya, Aunt Kathy, and Mrs. McDaniel, Kathy was born Aug. 29, 1949, to Bonner DeLoss and Louise Huffstetler. She was the second oldest of seven children. Danny, Robert and Betty, as well as her parents, preceded her in death.
She is survived by siblings Cliff (wife Kathy) Greg (wife Martha),and Judith (husband Bobby). She and her family grew up in Eudora, Ark., and she graduated from Eudora High School. Kathy enjoyed calling and texting her siblings, and Louise lived next door to her for over a decade before she died in March 2020.
Kathy married Wayne McDaniel, of Lake Providence, on May 16, 1969, and was happily married until he died in April 2016. During their marriage, they enjoyed traveling when given the chance, visiting Florida, Alaska, Hawaii, New Mexico and much of the southeastern part of the United States. During his later years, Wayne developed dementia and Kathy was a loving, devoted and dedicated caregiver, advocating for his care passionately.
The couple had one child, Judith McDaniel Roberts, who is married to Kyle Roberts. They reside in Ruston and have two daughters, Alice and Penny. Kathy loved spending time with her family, especially her two granddaughters. In 2021, she took two trips with them, visiting family in Baton Rouge during the summer and Dallas for New Year’s. She loved those two girls, as well as Judith and Kyle, fiercely and enjoyed having them over at her house.
Kathy was a devout Christian, wanting to serve the Lord and learn more about Him throughout her life. She was an active member at Beulah Baptist Church until health issues interfered and kept her from attending. She also had a nearly 25-year career as a teacher at Pioneer Elementary School and Epps High School after graduating from the University of Louisiana at Monroe.
The family would like to give specific thanks to Kathy’s in-laws through Wayne, Billy McDaniel and Barbara and Don Bass, who were as caring and compassionate to her as she was to Wayne.
Pallbearers will include her son-in-law, Kyle; her brother-in-laws Billy McDaniel and Bobby Kellebrew; and her nephews, Jacob Huffstetler, Scott Huffstetler, and Bryce Kellebrew.
