Katherine (Piggee) Bedell was born November 29th, 1922 in Brownstown, AR. After traveling many roads the Lord called her from her labor to reward on Sunday, October 18th at 5:40 pm at the Pleasant Valley Rehabilitation Center in Garland, TX. Katherine was the oldest child of Harry Washington and Ella (Smith) Piggee. During her early childhood years the family moved to Idabel, OK where Katherine attended Richland Elementary School and three years of her high school education at Slater High. She moved to Springfield, MO in 1941, completing her high school education at Lincoln High. Katherine married Leo Eugene Bedell in 1942. They were married for 31 years and to this union 12 children were born. Katherine confessed Christ at an early age. While residing in Springfield she was a member of Washington Ave Baptist Church, Metropolitan Baptist Church, and Mt. Olive Baptist Church. When she relocated to Phoenix, AZ to reside with her daughter Mildred (Jeanne') and husband Larry Small, she was a member of Progressive Baptist Church and founding member of God's House of Worship Baptist Church. Katherine loved serving the Lord. She has served in the mission department, taught Sunday school and sung in the choir. At the time of her passing she was a disciple of Berean Bible Fellowship Church in Plano, TX. Katherine always enjoyed traveling and being with family and friends. She always smiled when she watched and listened to her children and grandchildren play music, sing and dance. She also enjoyed a good game of bingo and playing "Chicken Foot" with her grandchildren. Katherine loved attending Springfield's Park Day and was a member of the Springfield Reunion Club for over 25 years. This past summer was only her second time missing Park Day. When asked what she loves the most about Springfield, she simply answered, "The people." Katherine leaves to cherish her memories; sisters Clara Miller of Las Vegas, NV, Angie Duckett, Broken Bow, OK, and Mildred Piggee of Oklahoma City, OK; children, Anna L. Smith, Arlington, TX, Tommy E. Bedell (Esther), Springfield, MO, Larry Small (spouse of the late Mildred L.), Phoenix, AZ, Genella Bond, Sachse, TX, Joe Bedell (Delois), Richardson, TX, Patsy S. Givens (Greg), North Richland Hills, TX, Ernie R. Bedell (Helen), Springfield, MO, Larry E. Bedell (Hazel), Fort Smith, AR, Ronnie Bedell, Kansas City, MO, Tonya Bedell, Sachse, TX, and Marshell M. Johnson (Zebedee), McKinney, TX; 38 grandchildren, 91 great grandchildren, 23 great-great grandchildren, a host of nieces and nephews, special adopted children Shirley Bedell, Richard Allen, Crystal Shannon, Michelle Johnson, and a host of relatives and friends. Preceding Katherine to the land of the living were her parents Harry and Ella Piggee, sister Geraldine Lovejoy Jennings, and brothers McCoy Piggee and Joe Lovejoy; her husband Leo, daughter Mildred, son David Meryl, one grandchild and one great grandchild. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2015 at Turning Point Baptist Church (formerly Washington Avenue Baptist Church) at 9:30 am. Burial will follow at Hazelwood Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 6-7 pm on Friday, October 23, at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. There will also be a visitation from 9:00-9:30 am Saturday morning at the church. Katherine's words of wisdom are "Live right, eat well, pray and stay out of other folks business."