Kathy Prewett

Mary Kathryn Griffin Prewett, known affectionately as “Kathy,” “Kat,” “Mother,” and “Mamie,” age 87, passed away on August 6, in Memphis, TN. 

Kathryn said her life really began at 25 when she met Bill Prewett on a blind date, in El Paso, TX. Her love of travel lined up perfectly with the military moves required of a young Army lieutenant. Kathryn was the consummate military wife of the 1960s: perfectly coiffed, gracious hostess, doting mother, impeccable manners, and grammar hawk. That said, Kathryn had a wicked and sassy sense of humor and enjoyed dinner shows, dancing, music, and casinos. Often the life of the party, Kathryn never met a stranger. 

Kathryn held the family together during Bill’s service in both Korea and Vietnam, with her last child being born after Bill’s return from Vietnam. She managed her family’s moves to Ft. Sill in Oklahoma, Ft. Bliss in Texas (twice), Ft Richardson in Alaska, Ft. Leavenworth in Kansas, NORAD in Colorado Springs, Redstone Arsenal in Alabama, settling in 1977 in Martin, TN. Bill and Kathryn learned of the small town from their next door neighbors in Colorado Springs—Joe and Verneal Johnson—who were like second parents to their children. During Bill’s second career in ag services, they enjoyed frequent overseas travel. 

Kathryn loved to read, to work both crossword and jigsaw puzzles, to play bridge, and to dote on the many special dogs she had over the years (Piper, Mandy, Griffin, Lady and Mr. Darcy). She was active in the First United Methodist Church in Martin, and loved her work administering GEDs at the University of Tennessee at Martin. After her husband’s death, Kathryn moved to Union City, TN, to live next to her daughter and granddaughters. 

Mrs. Prewett was born on July 26,1936. Raised half in Benton, Arkansas, and half in Quincy, California, Kathy was the baby of four children, and is survived by her sister Joan “Jo” (Griffin) Rainbolt of La Jolla, CA. Kathryn was preceded in death by her beloved husband Lt. Col. William A. Prewett (married 37 years). 

In addition to her husband, Kathryn was preceded in death by her parents Thomas Burkett Griffin and Minnie Ola (Koon) Griffin, and two siblings, Thomas B. Griffin, Jr.  and Rita Mae (Griffin) Gordy.

She is survived by her three children: Dr. Mary Camielle Fishel (Eric) of Memphis, TN; William Clark Prewett (Monica) of Dickson, TN; and Cecelia Joan Prewett (Will Nuckols) of National Harbor, Maryland; five grandchildren, Hailey Camielle Fishel, Mary Cameryn Fishel (Robert Morris), William Adrian Prewett III, Mason Eric Prewett, and Ava Camielle Nuckols. 

Kathryn helped raise two people who claimed special places in her heart: Paul Ryne Wilson of Martin, TN, and Suzanne Pritchett of Martin, TN.

She spoke with each of her children and grandchildren almost daily and leaves a deep legacy of love for family with them and her grandchildren. 

A Celebration of Life in Martin, TN, will be Saturday, December 30, 2023, from 10am-12:00 noon.   In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be given to the First United Methodist Church in Martin, TN, in memory of Mary Kathryn Griffin Prewett. ❤️