Katherine Lucille (Meeker) Conaway, former Blackwell resident, passed away on Monday, July 5, 2010, in the Hospice of the Upstate in Anderson, South Carolina, at the age of 99 years.

Katherine Lucille (Meeker) Conaway was born on January 30, 1911, to Ione and May Belle (Hamilton) Meeker at their home near Belle Plaine, Kansas. Her mother died when she was seven years old, and she went to live with her grandparents, Gary and Ida K. Meeker of Wichita, Kansas. She attended Wichita Public Schools until 1924 when she moved back with her father and siblings to a farm near South Haven, Kansas. She graduated from South Haven High School.

On September 7, 1930, she married Ned Conaway in Arkansas City, Kansas, and they made their home on a farm northwest of Nardin, Oklahoma. In 1937 they moved to a farm east of Hunnewell, Kansas, and in 1940 they moved to a farm in the Round Grove community, west of Ponca City, Oklahoma, where they remained until their retirement. In 1973 Katherine and Ned moved to a home on Fairview Avenue in Blackwell.

While living in the Round Grove community she served her family as a homemaker and assisted with farming operation. She was also active in community affairs, a member of the Round Grove Extension Homemakers, and assisted with 4-H Club leadership. She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Blackwell, the Kum Dubl Sunday School Class and the UMW Service Group. She also served as a volunteer with the Cherokee Strip Chapter of the American Red Cross. She enjoyed playing cards, especially pinochle, and enjoyed attending community and senior dances. She was an avid reader, especially in later years. Katherine was a woman of deep faith and was known for her kind and gentle spirit.

In 2005 she moved to Anderson, South Carolina, to live with her daughter and son-in-law, LaRita and Ross Hackler, and for the past two years has been a resident of Summit Place of Anderson Assisted Living.

Survivors include her daughter, LaRita Hackler and husband Ross of Anderson, South Carolina; a brother, William Meeker and wife Pearle of Springfield, Missouri; seven grandchildren; fifteen great grandchildren; and five great great grandchildren. She is also survived by a step-granddaughter; three step-great grandchildren; and one step-great great grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; a son, Charles Conaway; a granddaughter, Kathy (Conaway) Purkey; three brothers, Glenn Meeker, Harry Meeker and infant brother, Jimmy Meeker; and two sisters, Vona Belle Wilson and Nellie Chambers.

Her life will be celebrated at a service at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, July 10th in the First United Methodist Church in Blackwell with the Rev. Larry Adkisson of Collinsville, Oklahoma, officiating. Burial will follow in the Mt. Olive Cemetery in Nardin, Oklahoma.

Memorial contributions in Katherine's honor can be made to the First United Methodist Church in Blackwell or Hospice of the Upstate in Anderson, South Carolina in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.