Austa Kathryn Rodgers McCormick

Austa Kathryn Rodgers McCormick, age 89, of Dardanelle, passed peacefully into eternity at her home on Wednesday, December 9, 2020. She was born September 11, 1931, in Pea Ridge, Arkansas, to Mal Rodgers and Erma Tucker Rodgers.

Kathryn graduated from Rogers High School and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Home Economics from the University of Arkansas, and a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Arkansas Tech University.

She began her professional career in Danville, as a Home Economist for the U.S. Home Extension Service, where she met her husband of forty-six years, Herman D. McCormick. Throughout her professional career, Kathryn was part of Danville’s first Head Start Program, served as an adult education instructor, and taught in the Danville Public Schools for almost three decades as an elementary school teacher until her retirement in 1993.

While never an athlete herself, she was one of the most ardent supporters of Danville High School sports during the late 1960s and through the 1970s, cheering on the Little Johns through rain, sleet or snow, and seemingly never missing a track meet, or football, basketball or baseball game in which one of her three sons participated.

Kathryn was a Christian and an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Dardanelle, Arkansas. She was also active in the Dardanelle Garden Club, the Dardanelle “Red Hat” Club, Delta Kappa Gamma, and the Daughters of the American Revolution—being never shy to proudly assert her maternal family’s lineage to John and Priscilla Alden.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Herman, and siblings Austin Rodgers, Carolyn Rodgers Foster, and Jean Rodgers Cupps. She is survived by one sister, Ann Margaret Rodgers Benton of Petal, Mississippi, and one brother, Warren Rodgers of North Little Rock; her three sons, David (Cheryl) McCormick and Dee (Dawn) McCormick of Dardanelle, and W.A. (Suzanne) McCormick of Little Rock; seven grandchildren, Katie (Brett) Papasan, Andrew McCormick, Mallory (Tim) Onarecker, Hannah (Scott) Grubb, Will McCormick, Caroline (Zach) Madel, and Natalie McCormick; and six great grandchildren.

Graveside service will be held on Sunday, December 13, 2020, at 3:00 p.m. at the Brearley Cemetery in Dardanelle, with Reverend Jim Benfer and Bro. Scott Grubb officiating. The State of Arkansas COVID-19 directives: masks and social distancing are requested. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Dardanelle, Arkansas, 100 North 2nd Street, Dardanelle, AR 72834.

Arrangements by Davis-Smith Funeral Home of Glenwood, with an online guestbook at www.davis-smith.com.