Retired Lt. Col. Mary Kathryn “Katie†Booth Butrum was called to her Heavenly Home Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
Born Dec. 4, 1953, in Pulaski, Tennessee, she was the beloved daughter of the late DeWitt Edwin Booth Sr. and Helen Joyce Weatherman Booth.
Katie dedicated her life to service — service to her country, her community and all those fortunate enough to know her. After attending nursing school at Vanderbilt University, she answered the call to serve her country by joining the United States Army Sept. 29, 1978.
She was honorably discharged from active duty Oct. 31, 1987, yet her commitment to the military continued.
Katie went on to serve in the Tennessee Army National Guard beginning in March 1987, working with the 300th MASH in Smyrna, Tennessee, until Feb. 1989.
On December 3, 2013, she was awarded her Certificate of Retirement, marking thirty-five years of faithful and devoted military service. On June 13, 1987, Katie married Mr. Jack P. Butrum Sr., with whom she shared nearly 30 beautiful years until his passing Oct. 10, 2016. Their life together was filled with love, partnership and devotion.
In addition to her parents and husband, Katie was also preceded in death by two step-daughters, Beverly A. Pritchard and Nanci McGarvey.
Alongside her military career, Katie continued caring for others through her work as a part-time surgical nurse at Macon County General Hospital, a role she held for 20 years. Her compassion, skill and gentle spirit touched countless lives, and she was known by many for her unwavering heart of service.
Katie was a dedicated and active member of Lafayette First Baptist Church, where she lovingly served as church clerk for many years. She was also a proud member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Lafayette Chapter #379 and the Ladies Auxiliary to VFW Post #7135. Her faith, patriotism, and generosity defined her daily life and left a lasting impact on her church family and community.
Katie leaves behind a profound legacy of kindness, selflessness and steadfast service. Her memory will forever live on in the hearts of her family, friends, church community and all who were touched by her steady grace and compassion.
She will be dearly missed, but her light will continue to shine through the many lives she enriched.
Katie Butrum is survived by her step-children, Jack P. Butrum Jr. and wife, Joan Jeffery R. Butrum and wife, Teresa, Cheryl Parrish and husband, Edward and Leanne Pitts and husband, Richard; brother, Dewitt E. Booth Jr. and wife, Elaine; nephews, J.T. Booth and wife, Britney and Patrick Lancaster; niece, Amanda Smith; 11 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were conducted Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, from the Lafayette First Baptist Church with Pastor Ron Mathis officiating. Interment with full military honors followed in the Underwood Cemetery.
Alexander Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements, 615-666-2189, .
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