Kathryn Ann McKennon Brockmann

Kathryn Ann McKennon Brockmann, 87, known as Katsy to family and friends and Kaki to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, passed away on Tuesday, July 5, 2016, at her home. Before moving to Fayetteville in September of 2015, she was a long-time resident of Little Rock and Maumelle. Katsy was born February 3, 1929, in Ft. Smith, Arkansas, the daughter of A.M. and Willeen Jernigan McKennon. She graduated from St. Ann's High School in Ft. Smith. After a year at Hendrix College, she transferred to the University of Arkansas and graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration in 1950. She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Robert G. "Bob" Brockmann; two daughters and their husbands, Jane and David Gearhart of Fayetteville and Beth and Larry Wilkins of Springdale; five grandchildren: Katy Gearhart Hunt and her husband Justin, Brock Gearhart and his wife Lindsey, Bo Wilkins and his wife Jennifer, Drew Wilkins and Carlie Wilkins Tapley and her husband Jason; six great-grandchildren: Ben Hunt, Ellie Hunt, Caroline Gearhart, Lily Gearhart, Tate Tapley and Tripp Tapley and extended family to whom she was very close. She was preceded in death by a son, Mark McKennon Brockmann and a brother, A.M. "Bub" McKennon, Jr. Katsy retired from the Arkansas Office of State Purchasing after a 23 year career. She was a faithful volunteer at the Arkansas Children's Hospital Playaway Gift Shop from 1993-2015. She was named its Volunteer of the Year in 2002. She celebrated 50 years in P.E.O. this spring having joined Chapter AG in Harrison in 1966. She also belonged to Chapter AK in Little Rock and Chapters S and AT in Fayetteville. The granddaughter of a United Methodist minister, Katsy was a devoted to her church. As a member of Trinity United Methodist in Little Rock, she served on the Altar Guild, volunteered in the church office and participated in numerous other activities. She was an avid bridge player and belonged to scores of foursomes and clubs in the various cities where she lived. She and Bob loved to travel and visited many places in the United States and around the world. One of her favorite places was Gulf Shores, Alabama, where she and Bob hosted the entire family for an annual week on the beach, a tradition that continued for 35 years. Katsy was the planner, organizer and chief chef for those trips which everyone loved. It was a special time particularly where her cooking was concerned. She was an excellent cook. Katsy was equally well known for her wit. She could amplify or diffuse any situation with a well-timed line that was always on target. Special appreciation goes to caregiver Angie Sandbothe for her kindness and compassion. A memorial service will be held Friday, July 8, at 1 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church in Little Rock with Dr. Don Hall officiating. A reception will follow in the church Narthex. Memorials may be made to the McKennon-Brockmann Endowed Scholarship in Nursing at the University of Arkansas, Gift Services, UNHS 300, 1 University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Ark. 72701 or Trinity United Methodist Church, 1101 N. Mississippi, Little Rock, Ark. 72207. To sign the online guest book please visit www.nelsonberna.com.