Kathleen “Kathy” Atherton, 76, of Owensboro passed away Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, under the care of Hospice of Western Kentucky. She was born in Champagne, Illinois, on April 11, 1949, to the late Fletcher Edwards and Evelyn Fisler Edwards.
Kathy was a 1967 graduate of Pekin Community High School in Pekin, IL and a member of Marquette Heights Southern Baptist Church in Pekin, IL. She retired as a secretary and bookkeeper from Mechanical Consultants, a business she proudly owned and operated alongside her husband. Kathy found joy in life’s simple pleasures, including reading, fishing, cooking, playing golf, traveling, spending time at the lake, and enjoying card games with those she loved. She was known for her warm smile, quick wit, and spirited sense of humor, as well as her deep love for her family. Organized, confident, and never afraid to be assertive, Kathy embraced life with purpose and heart. She especially cherished planning the annual trip she shared with her cousins, a tradition that brought her great happiness.
Along with her parents, Kathy is preceded in death by her husband, Billy Atherton; her sister, Janice Hays; her brother, John M. Edwards; and her nephew, Rick Edwards.
Those left to cherish her memory include her step-children, Tammy Atherton-Gillaspie (Jimmy) and Mark Atherton (D.J.); grandchildren, Logan Atherton, Lily Lee (Ross), Maddie Atherton, Grace Atherton, and Lucas Gillaspie (Maegan); great-grandchildren, Jay Atherton, Rae Lynn Atherton, Jack Lee and Sadie Gillaspie; nieces and nephews, Melissa Edwards, Robert Edwards, Chad Edwards, Jodie Brown, Mandy Prado, Brad Hays, Brian Hays, Bethany Hays; siblings James D. Edwards (Rhonda), and Richard L. Edwards (Jacquelyn); cousins, Susan Beaulin and Judy Marlowe. The cousins took yearly summer trips together.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, at Haley McGinnis Funeral Home & Crematory, with Pastor Brian Tilman officiating. Burial to follow the service at Pleasant Grove Baptist Cemetery. The family will receive visitors at the funeral home from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Kathy’s honor to the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Kentucky and Southern Indiana Chapter, Kaden Tower, 6100 Dutchmans Lane Suite 401, Louisville, Kentucky 40205. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
The family would like to extend special thanks to the devoted caregivers of Mrs. Atherton—Doris, Traci, Emily, Sandy, and Erica—for their compassionate care and support. Heartfelt appreciation is also extended to the nurses and staff of Hospice of Western Kentucky and Owensboro Health Regional Hospital for their kindness and dedication.
Haley McGinnis Funeral Home & Crematory is honored and privileged to be entrusted with the care of Kathleen “Kathy” Atherton. Please leave condolence messages for the family of Mrs. Atherton and sign their virtual guestbook at www.haleymcginnis.com.