Kathryn Bell Wainwright

As the words to one of her favorite hymns say "Some glad morning when this life is over, I'll fly away to a home on God's celestial shore" that is what Kathy Wainwright did on October 24, 2024. She passed away peacefully from her earthly home to her heavenly home surrounded by her loved ones.

Funeral services for Kathy Wainwright will be held on October 27, 2024, in the chapel of Way-Watson Funeral Home, Ellaville with Rev. David Chapman officiating. Visitation will begin at 2:00 with services starting at 3:00. Burial will follow at County Line Baptist Church cemetery on Hwy 240. Pallbearers will be Henry Atkins, Thomas Atkins, John Atkins, Steve James, Jonathan Hughes, and Michael Wainwright.

Kathryn Lorene Windham Bell Wainwright was born July 6, 1949, at home in Potterville, Georgia. She was the daughter of the late Dovie Lorene Childree Windham and the late Allen Benjamin Thomas Windham. She was the third born of five siblings. Her brothers and sisters are the late Allen Windham, the late Marvin Windham, James Windham, the late Audrey Windham Carpenter, and Wanda Windham Atkins Locklin. 

Kathy married the love of her life, Elder Wayne Bell, on December 12, 1965. They were married for 37 years until his passing. Kathy and Wayne were blessed with two children—Jordan Cecil Allen Bell and Alisa Helen Bell. Cecil and Alisa then blessed her with four grandchildren, Jordan, Zoe, Cole, and A.J., that gave her the name Mimi. Her children and grandchildren held a special place in her heart. 

For many years, Kathy worked as a seamstress at Spilene and Triple S Pleating. She then joined her beloved husband Wayne Bell as a truck driver. They traveled all over the country together as they worked to provide for their family. 

 Kathy fell in love again when she met William Wainwright. They were married on May 16, 2015. They worked together doing long-haul transport until they both retired. 

She gained two children with this marriage—Dawn Bullock (husband Kyle) and Mike Wainwright (wife Tammi). She was blessed with more grandchildren—Marie, Tyler, Ashanti, Gabby, Ray, Alia, Kevin, Kylie, Amanda, Patience, and Michael. She was also blessed with 9 great-grandchildren. 

 Kathy enjoyed cooking, gardening, and mostly spending time with her family. She was always a strong-willed woman who would do whatever came to mind that needed to be done. She has been one to put others first through her life. As a young girl, she helped raise her younger siblings. She continued to take care of family and others throughout her life. She opened her home on several occasions for those in need, to provide them with a home and food. She was a devoted Christian who was a member of Shema Baptist Church. She attended church regularly and sat on the front row praising God every chance that she could. If you asked what her favorite Bible verse was, she would say she did not have one but sometimes would say, "I like it all." Proverbs 31:25-31 describes Kathy--"She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.' Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gait."

Kathy Wainwright is survived by her husband of 9 years, William Wainwright; her son and daughter-in-law Cecil and Laura Bell of Ellaville; her daughter and son-in-law Alisa and Adam Martin of Bonaire; grandchildren Jordan Martin, Zoe Bell, Cole Bell, and A.J. Martin; sister and brother-in-law Wanda Atkins Locklin and Garth Locklin; brother and sister-in-law James and Catherine Windham. She is also survived by her family she gained from her marriage to William. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Pawsome Southern Rescue, 163 Davidson Road, Bonaire, GA 31005, or the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org