Mary Katharine Fergeson Keathley

Mary Katharine Fergeson Keathley, born in Havana, Arkansas, on November 27, 1924, died in Houston, Texas, on November 4, 2019. The middle child of Olive James and Ovie Holland Fergeson, Katharine and siblings Virginia and James moved to Danville as elementary school children. Katharine was a graduate of Hendrix College and earned the Master of Library Science from the University of Oklahoma. In 1946, Katharine married Robert Compton Keathley. After living the early years of their marriage in Honduras, they returned to Danville, where Katharine taught English and was the high school librarian for 20 years. Teaching and many extracurricular responsibilities gave Katharine lasting relationships with students and families. She was delighted when they visited to share their accomplishments and their appreciation for her diligent and compassionate work. In 1962, Katharine became head librarian of Arkansas River Valley Regional Library. For 25 years, she worked with local citizens and county, state, and federal government to bring libraries out of courthouse basements and attics and improve services. Ten library branches were built during her tenure, and the 1988 addition to the headquarters was named in her honor. She received the first Distinguished Service Award from the Arkansas Library Association in 1979 and was a member of Arkansas's Committee of 100. Katharine is survived by her daughter Mary Frances Brown and son-in-law Tom; grandchildren Elizabeth Brown, Robert Brown and his wife Rachel, and Meredith Perkins and her husband Matthew; great-grandchildren Penelope Brown, Henry Brown, and Benjamin Perkins; several dear nieces and nephews, and many friends. Following a private interment, a memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 16, 2019, at Danville United Methodist Church, where Katharine was a lifelong member. The family will receive friends at a reception following the service. For those desiring, memorials may be made to Arkansas River Valley Regional Library or Danville United Methodist Church.