Katherine Dye Obituary

Jessie Katherine Smith Dye, age 93, passed away on April 6 at Baptist Memorial Hospital – Union County, New Albany, Mississippi. She is survived by her son, Donald Luther Dye, Jr.; daughter, Rebecca Dye Salazar; one granddaughter, Marisa Dye Acevedo; two great granddaughters, Charlotte Layla Gonzalez and Lillian Marie Acevedo; two brothers, Lawrence "Larry" Russell Smith and Curtis Cannon (Betty). She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Luther Dye, Sr.; mother Lillian Ester Russell Cannon; two sisters, Cheri Cannon and Dorthy Porter; two brothers, Patrick and Michael Cannon; and one sister-in-law, Dorothy Smith. Katherine was born on September 4, 1931 in Blue Mountain, Mississippi. In 1949 she married Donald Luther Dye, Sr. They lived in Blue Springs, Mississippi until 1969 when they moved to New Albany. She continued her education earning a Bachelor's Degree in Art and English from Blue Mountain College and a Master's Degree in Art Education from the University of Mississippi at Oxford. She taught art and remedial reading for many years in the New Albany School system. Katherine was a gifted artist, having illustrated three published children's books. In 2015 she completed and published her book, Life – Changing ABC Scriptures with Stories. Later in life she taught ESL (English as a second language) for several years. She had a vision of turning a swampy area beside the Tallahatchie River in to a park. With a lot of work and determination Park Along The River and Mississippi Arboretum was born. Today it has become much larger hosting something for everyone. Katherine would be very proud to know that a grant was received recently for park improvements. Katherine's love for art and beauty will forever live on. A visitation will be held at United Funeral Service on Saturday, April 12, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. until the funeral service at 1:00 p.m. Bro. Andrew Chesteen will officiate. United Funeral Service is honored to be entrusted with these arrangements. For online condolences and guest registry, please visit www.unitedfuneralservice.com To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Katherine Dye, please visit our floral store.