Kathryn Louise Hesse

Kathryn Louise Cotten Hesse, 78, of Arkadelphia, Ark. passed away on January 15, 2014. She was born in Cisco, Texas on September 21, 1935 to the late Earl and Kathryn Cotten. She leaves to cherish her memory, husband, Dr. Earl J. Hesse; children, Robert Earl Cotten Hesse of Arkadelphia, Valaree Kathryn Cone Russell (Ronny) of Heber Springs, Ark., Joe Marc Hesse (Lynn) of Plano, Texas, Michael Daven Hesse (Renee) of Plano, Texas; sister, Margaret Shirley of Myrtle Beach, S.C., 12 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and a host of family and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Phyllis Earl Cotten. Kat was a member of the New Life Church in Arkadelphia. During her life she had many opportunities to wear several different hats. She served as director and founder of the Crowell, Texas Wildcatettes. In 1963 she was director of the CJC Wrangler Belles. During this time she also served as a model at Neiman's in Dallas. In 1965 she founded and directed the award winning Goddard High School Rockettes drill team. In 1970, she moved to Arkadelphia, Ark. and became Administrative Assistant for Student Affairs at Henderson State University and office manager for the Dean of Men and Women. She was member and sponsor for Alpha Xi Delta sorority for several years. In 1980 she joined former Sen. Ray Thornton at the Joint Educational Consortium. After leaving JEC, she went to work as an insurance agent and was awarded "Rookie of the Year". In 1983, she became a receptionist at Siplast, Inc. a French manufacturing company. Eventually she worked into Collections and Finance Officer with the company. When Siplast, Inc. moved their business offices to Dallas, she went to work for the Arkadelphia Human Development Center as a Purchasing Agent. After three years at the AHDC, she decided to go to work as a Finance Officer for the State of Arkansas. After tiring from the commute to Little Rock, she returned to Henderson State University to serve as Administrative Assistant to the Dean of the School of Education. She became involved with the Miss America pageant and became a judge with the Miss Arkansas program. She established the award winning Reddie Pom-Pom squad at HSU. In 1997, she retired to spend time with her children, grandchildren and the love of her life, Earl. She continued to travel with him to the many musical events that he was performing in and she was always the "life of the party". The family wishes to express special thanks to Baptist Hospital Arkadelphia, Baptist Hospital ICU Little Rock and sincere gratitude to the wonderful, caring staff at Twin Rivers Health and Rehabilitation Center in Arkadelphia. The funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, January 20, 2014 at Second Baptist Church of Arkadelphia with Rev. Joe Burt and Rev. Stan Parris officiating. Speakers will be Dr. Michael Kelly, Lynette Byrom, Marc Hesse, Meaghan Hesse (granddaughter) and Stellan Cantu (great-grandson). Pallbearers will be Kaki's handsome grandsons, Jordan Hesse, Joshua Hesse, Corbin Hesse, Logan Hesse, Dillon Hesse, Collin Hesse, Jonathan Hesse and Mason Hesse. Interment will be at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at Oakwood Cemetery in Cisco, Texas. The family will receive friends for a visitation from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, January 19, 2014 at The Welch Funeral Home in Arkadelphia. To sign online guestbook please visit: www.welchfh.net. Arrangements made by Welch Funeral Home, Second Baptist Church and Kimbrough Funeral Home.