Katherine Quinton McLain

Katherine Quinton McLain, 100, of Sherwood, passed through the gates of Heaven on December 22, 2019. Katherine was born in Winfield, Kan., on May 20, 1919. She was adopted at the age of six months by the late E. S. and Hiley Quinton. She grew up in Sayre, Okla. and graduated from Northeastern State College with a teaching degree. She married Thomas McLain, Sr. in 1948, and they moved to North Little Rock, Ark., where they raised their family. Katherine taught English and reading at Jefferson Davis Junior High and later, Jones Junior High for 7th graders. She learned to drive a car at the age of 50 and bought her first and only car, a 1977 Chevy Impala. She was often seen driving over the speed limit on McCain Blvd. and only the bravest of souls would agree to ride with her. Katherine had a lifelong love of photography and, as a result, the family has hundreds of pictures that she took while her children were growing up. While we got tired of posing for pictures, we are grateful to have those photos and will cherish them forever. She became a photographer for Shepherd Center and continued long after retirement. Katherine was a longtime member of Park Hill Christian Church, where she participated in many activities through the years and made lifelong friends that she treasured. She loved the Razorbacks, Miss America Pageants, Dancing With the Stars and Anne of Green Gables. She will be remembered for her beautiful smile, her laugh and her love for God. She practiced the Golden Rule her whole life and it served her well. She was proud she lived to be 100, but was ready to greet her family and friends in Heaven. She was the best mother anyone could have and will live in our hearts forever. Katherine is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Thomas McLain, Sr.; brother, Charles Quinton; and her granddaughter, Janet McLain. She is survived by sons: Thomas McLain, Jr. of Tampa, Fla., Mark (Tendi) McLain of Modesto, Calif.; and daughter, Marilyn (Ed) Hawley of Sherwood, Ark.; grandchildren, Michelle Buie (David) of Bigelow, Ark., Laura McLain (Sam) of Chicago, lllinois, Johnny and Richard McLain of Modesto, Calif., and Chad Hawley of Charlotte, N.C.; nine great-grandchildren; and her special niece, Becky (Jerry) Truster of Broken Arrow, Okla. Special thanks to her church family and friends, Birdye Farmer, Miles Cook, Rebecca Meek, Lottie and Johnnie Forrest, Bob and Rita Choate, Brooksie Read-Duncan, Shirley and Burt Burrow, Jan and Kin Taylor, Ellen Brown, Erin Schudar and Cathy McKinley. Memorials may be made in her honor to the Shepherd Center at Park Hill Christian Church, 4400 JFK Blvd., NLR, Ark. 72116. A Celebration of Katherine's life will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, December 30, at Park Hill Christian Church with a visitation following the service. Please share your memories of Katherine with her family at www.griffinleggettresthills.com