Mary Kathryn Bedsworth, 98, of Independence, Missouri, passed from this earthly life on Saturday, May 13, 2017, at her home, surrounded by her loved ones. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 19th at New Salem Funeral Home, Independence; burial in New Salem Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until service time at the funeral home.
Born Mary Kathryn Corum on September 17, 1918 in Mount Pisgah, Arkansas to Arthur and Lorine Corum, she was the 2nd of 13 children. Her family relocated to Kearney, Missouri during her childhood. In 1942, she began writing to a young man named Lawrence Lee Bedsworth while he served in New Guinea during WWII. Lawrence returned home 2 years later, in December of 1944, and they were married on January 23, 1945, after much persistence from Lawrence. They were happily married for nearly 49 years, until the time of his passing in November of 1993. They had three children, Thomas Lee, James William and Mary Kathryn. In the early 1980’s, Kathryn retired from Lake City Army Ammunition Plant, where she had worked for many years. She loved spending time with her family and working in her flower beds. On a nice day, you could drive by and she would be in front of her house, in her floppy hat and long sleeves, pulling weeds. Sometimes strangers would even stop to admire her flowers! She was also a fierce domino player. Few people could best her in a game of dominoes, and those who did hold that as quite an accomplishment!
Kathryn’s love for the Lord was the guiding principle of her life. She and Lawrence were baptized into Christ in their early 30’s, and remained faithful Christians throughout their lives, raising their children to have the same love for the Lord. She was a member of Southside Church of Christ in Blue Springs, MO at the time of her passing. Proverbs 31:25-26 states, “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” Those who knew Kathryn knew her to embody those qualities. She is remembered as a patient and wise teacher, gentle caregiver and loving family member and friend. The most important thing to her was to know her family would have eternity in heaven. Even in her last days, Kathryn was working tirelessly for the Lord, talking with those she loved about their spiritual condition. Now she is resting from that work. She has fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the faith.
Kathryn was preceded in death by her husband Lawrence Bedsworth, grandson Donny Cox, son Jim Bedsworth, daughter-in-law Anita Bedsworth, granddaughter Dawn Taff, 2 great-great-granddaughters, 4 brothers and 5 sisters. She is survived by her son Tom Bedsworth; daughter Mary Taff (Wayne); daughter-in-law Sherry Bedsworth; 5 grandsons: Tommy Bedsworth (Vicky), Jim Bedsworth, Jr. (Sheri), David Taff (Jetaime), Rick Bedsworth (Mary), and Patrick Bedsworth; 5 granddaughters: Shanna Drake, Kathy Faiva (Sam), Jana Bedsworth, Kristi McBee (Steve), and Angie Baker (Brad); 27 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by 3 sisters: Judy Stutesman (Lew), Florence Ramseyer (Chuck), and Flora Swartz (Mark); and sister-in-law Emogene Corum.
Kathryn will be sorely missed by those of us left behind, but we do not grieve as those who have no hope. Kathryn was a faithful Christian, and a wonderful example to all who had the privilege of knowing her.
“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
Arrangements: Royer’s New Salem Funeral Home, Independence MO 816-796-8600