February 22, 1934 - August 18, 2024
Katherine Dodd Hanna’s life was intertwined with music from an early age. Born to William Howard Byrd II and Rachel Muriel Dye Byrd on February 22, 1934, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, she was introduced to music by her grandparents, both lifelong musicians. They arranged for her to have piano lessons from an outstanding classical pianist, a family friend, for a year. Her parents continued the lessons for one more year. In the 7th grade, she began accompanying a voice teacher in downtown Chattanooga, a role she continued even during her college years at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. She also served as a staff musician for the PE department at the University of Tennessee.
Katherine taught school in Chattanooga, where she met and married a military man, James K. Dodd and moved to San Antonio, Texas, where he was stationed. While in Texas, she completed a Bachelor of Arts degree at Our Lady of the Lake College for Women. Her husband completed ten years of service with the USAF, a Bachelor's degree in Business, and a law degree. After the birth of their first child, Becky (Joseph Murr), they returned to the south, to Chickamauga, Georgia, so that they could raise Becky and two more children, Kenneth (Linda) Dodd and Lisa (James) Schmidt, near their families. Katherine also had a biological son, Rex Rayborn Rogers, in Charleston, South Carolina, whom she met several years ago and loved as well.
While a homemaker with three children at home, Katherine taught art and piano and was a Girl Scout leader and church musician. She was named Homemaker of the Year by the Chickamauga Homemaker's Club. She returned to the workforce in 1976, teaching first grade for over 20 years. During this period and beyond, she was the pianist for Post 95 East Ridge American Legion Band, where she played for over 30 years. This group played swing music and the big band sound in the Chattanooga area, traveling around the country for annual conventions and other events. She was the organist for Elizabeth Lee United Methodist Church for ten years and Chickamauga Presbyterian Church for over 20 years. Katherine taught 1st grade at Osburn Elementary School (Walker County Schools) for over 20 years.
In 2017, Katherine moved permanently to Colorado to live with her daughter and son-in-law, Becky and Joseph Murr. She enjoyed being near her three grandchildren, their spouses, and six great-grandchildren. She maintained her home on the edge of the historic Chickamauga Chattanooga National Battlefield as an Airbnb and visited there several times a year.
Even at 90 years of age, Katherine's passion for music and community activities remained undiminished. She continued to serve as the pianist for Rim Rock Church in Bailey, was an Associate Member of the International Western Music Association, Colorado American Saddle Horse Association and Rocky Mountain Horse Show Association. She enjoyed participating in the church and Round Up Riders of the Rockies family events. She attended many National Western Stock Show events, horse shows, camping, and traveling to the Gulf of Mexico and Chickamauga for vacations. Katherine played piano for many luncheons, dinners, happy hours and parties.
During the Pandemic, Katherine recorded and shared a piece of music almost daily on several Facebook sites to spread a bit of cheer. She continually shared music on the Facebook page "Miss Kitty's Keyboard" for those who enjoyed following it. Katherine spent her last week in Gulf Shores, Alabama, with family and friends and took the stairway to heaven as she was about to depart the Gulf. She will be greatly missed by so many whose lives she enriched.
The funeral service, a time to celebrate Katherine's life and the joy she brought to all who knew her, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 31, 2024, at First Presbyterian Church, with Bridgett Wadell officiating. Burial will be at Chickamauga City Cemetery immediately after the service. In Lieu of flowers please make donations to Chickamauga Presbyterian Church, 700 7th St
Chickamauga, GA 30707, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org. The family appreciates your prayers and support during this difficult time. An Online guest book can be found at www.wilsonfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are by Wilson Funeral Homes—J. Avery Bryan Chapel, Chickamauga.
