Kathleen Castleberry's Obituary
Kathleen Lois Smith Castleberry, 93, of Longview, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 23, 2025, in Longview, Texas.
Born April 22, 1932, in Harris County, Texas, Kathleen was the seventh of nine children born to parents Walter Alton Smith and Esther Marianna Measday Smith. Kathleen graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School in Houston where she was head cheerleader; she met her first husband, Jack Henry Smith, in civics class her senior year. Kathleen earned a bachelor’s degree from Stephen F. Austin State University later in life; she was committed to learning and taught Sunday school for several years. Her collection of Biblical commentaries was a testament to her love of the study of God’s word.
After the end of her first marriage, she returned to Houston and taught elementary P.E. before going to work at Rohm and Hass Chemical Company where she met her husband of forty-two years, Robert Castleberry. They moved to Longview in December of 2004 to be closer to her daughters and grandchildren. Kathleen and Robert are members of Mobberly Baptist Church where she sang in the choir for many years. They are also members of the Norwood Friends Class.
Kathleen was an avid tennis player. She played team tennis at Chancellors Tennis Club in Houston and played in the Senior Olympics. Kathleen was an active member of USTA and the Longview Tennis Association into her mid-80’s.
Kathleen is survived by her husband, Robert Castleberry, of Longview.
Daughters: Julee Smith Rachels and husband, Darrell, of Longview; Alease Smith Copelin and husband, Rayford, of Center; Stepson Randy Castleberry and wife Cindy, of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Grandchildren: Alyssa Rachels Butler and husband, Josh; Cameron Copelin and wife, Chelsea.
Great grandchildren: Eden Butler, Carson Copelin, Camille Copelin and Ryleigh Pittman
Surviving siblings: Cora Smith Starnes of Katy, Texas; and Audrey Smith Eckleman, as well as a host of nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Tuesday, May 27, from 4-6pm at Rader Funeral Home. Kathleen will be interned at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery in Houston, Texas, on Wednesday, May 28, at 1pm, resting beside her parents and other family members. Memorials in her memory may be made to the Benevolence Fund at Mobberly Baptist Church or to East Texas Alzheimer’s Alliance, 3122 Nealy Way, Ste. 203, Longview, TX 75605.
A Special Thank You to the nurses and CNAs at Pine Tree Lodge and Accent Hospice for their compassionate care of our precious mother over the last two months.
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