Kathy Lynn Boone Woods of Holly Springs, Mississippi, passed away after a long illness on Thursday, November 27, 2025.
Born on June 10, 1952, to Thomas Marcus Boone Jr. and Bertie Jewel Tomlinson Boone, Kathy graduated from Holly Springs High School before attending Mississippi State University. In her early career, she edited The Marshall Messenger before joining the Mississippi Medicaid Bureau as a case manager, retiring after decades of dedicated service to the families of Marshall County.
There was never a child or an animal Kathy encountered who did not bring her joy. One morning, outside the Medicaid office in Holly Springs, Kathy met a black stray named Lucy, who lucked into a rarified canine existence with Kathy and predeceased her owner by one month. One of Kathy’s most defining and beautiful character traits was her unstinting love, appreciation, and care for all of God’s animals, from cows to goats to horses foisted into her care by her brother-in-law. Kathy especially doted on her many dogs, which included George, a black-haired mixed breed who loved chasing cows out at her family’s farm; Lizzie, a beautiful long-haired white-and-black spotted bird dog; and her beloved chocolate Labrador retrievers, Hershey, Snickers, and Beau.
The other primary beneficiaries of Kathy’s love and generosity were her family members, especially her beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, whom she supported in all of their sporting, scholastic, and creative endeavors. She was generous with material gifts and her world-class cooking, and, more notably, in the time she spent with them as children and young adults. The bonds she nurtured with her nieces and nephews will always be a source of strength, confidence, and unconditional love for them.
Kathy did not suffer fools gladly, and her quick wit made her a lot of fun to be with. She could gossip with the best of them, and she laughed often. She attended First Baptist Church in Holly Springs, though perhaps not as often as her mother preferred.
Kathy was predeceased by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Boone, Jr., whom she cared for until their deaths; her older sister, Susan Elaine Boone Jordan of Holly Springs; and her nephew, Brennen Thomas Boone of Madison. She is survived by her sister, Martha Ellen Ferrell (Keith) of Hernando, and Thomas Marcus Boone III (Dawn) of Madison.
May we take comfort in knowing that the timing of her passing spared her from witnessing Ole Miss winning the national championship.
Kathy Lynn Boone Woods of Holly Springs, Mississippi, passed away after a long illness on Thursday, November 27, 2025.
Born on June 10, 1952, to Thomas Marcus Boone Jr. and Bertie Jewel Tomlinson Boone, Kathy graduated from Holly Springs High School before attending Mississippi State University. In her early career, she edited The Marshall Messenger before joining the Mississippi Medicaid Bureau as a case manager, retiring after decades of dedicated service to the families of Marshall County.
There was never a child or an animal Kathy encountered who did not bring her joy. One morning, outside the Medicaid office in Holly Springs, Kathy met a black stray named Lucy, who lucked into a rarified canine existence with Kathy and predeceased her owner by one month. One of Kathy’s most defining and beautiful character traits was her unstinting love, appreciation, and care for all of God’s animals, from cows to goats to horses foisted into her care by her brother-in-law. Kathy especially doted on her many dogs, which included George, a black-haired mixed breed who loved chasing cows out at her family’s farm; Lizzie, a beautiful long-haired white-and-black spotted bird dog; and her beloved chocolate Labrador retrievers, Hershey, Snickers, and Beau.
The other primary beneficiaries of Kathy’s love and generosity were her family members, especially her beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, whom she supported in all of their sporting, scholastic, and creative endeavors. She was generous with material gifts and her world-class cooking, and, more notably, in the time she spent with them as children and young adults. The bonds she nurtured with her nieces and nephews will always be a source of strength, confidence, and unconditional love for them.
Kathy did not suffer fools gladly, and her quick wit made her a lot of fun to be with. She could gossip with the best of them, and she laughed often. She attended First Baptist Church in Holly Springs, though perhaps not as often as her mother preferred.
Kathy was predeceased by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Boone, Jr., whom she cared for until their deaths; her older sister, Susan Elaine Boone Jordan of Holly Springs; and her nephew, Brennen Thomas Boone of Madison. She is survived by her sister, Martha Ellen Ferrell (Keith) of Hernando, and Thomas Marcus Boone III (Dawn) of Madison.
May we take comfort in knowing that the timing of her passing spared her from witnessing Ole Miss winning the national championship.
A graveside burial will be held in Holly Springs at Hill Crest Cemetery on Monday, December 15, 2025, at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorials to Canopy Children’s Solutions serving the children and families of Mississippi:
A graveside burial will be held in Holly Springs at Hill Crest Cemetery on Monday, December 15, 2025, at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorials to Canopy Children’s Solutions serving the children and families of Mississippi:
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