Kathy Rene Leathers Koechel's Obituary
Kathy passed peacefully from this life into her loving Father’s arms on Saturday, July 24 at her home in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas.
She was born October 15, 1958, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Kathy grew up in Longview, Texas graduating from Longview High School in 1977. She was preceded in death by her birthmother, Shirley Jean, adopted mother & father: Phyllis & Oris Leathers, & sister: Brenda Smallwood.
Kathy is survived by her two sons: Dustin Freeman (fiancé Dayna Miller) and Jacob Koechel (wife Hannah), her 5 precious grandchildren: Dylan & Jaden Freeman, and Evan, Abigail, & Braxton Koechel. Survivors also include her sisters: Debbie Barnett (husband Jerry), Janet Bruce, & Kay DeMoss (husband Lewis) as well as nieces and nephews: Cindy Marks, Oris Smallwood, Kelly Phipps, Lisa Barnett, Joshua Maynard, Trace Pemberton, & April Pemberton-Brown. Also left behind to cherish her memory is her lifelong friend: Robin Crump Williams.
Ms. Koechel was many things in life – a devoted and loving mother and grandmother, an artisan, a prankster, a hard-worker, and a nurturer & lover of animals – to name a few. She also loved plants, reading books, watching Lifetime movies, & cooking.
A celebration of Kathy’s life will be held at Rader Funeral Home in Longview on Thursday, August 12, 2021, at 2:00 p.m.
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