Catherine Reilly ''Katie'' Steele

Catherine Reilly “Katie” Steele, age 93 died peacefully at her daughter Barbara’s home on Tuesday, June 6, 2006. Born in Wilmington, NC, she moved to Gatlinburg with her family in 1940. She and her husband William owned and operated Steele’s Sundries until 1955. She was then employed by Pigeon Forge Pottery and several retail stores and restaurants until her retirement at age 75. Since arriving in Gatlinburg, she attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church and is believed to be the oldest parishioner as well as the longest in attendance. A lovely and elegant lady, she set the standards of grace and kindness to all those around her and she will be greatly missed. She enjoyed a full life until her illness in April. She was preceded in death by her husband William B. Steele, son William Reilly Steele, brother Edward Joseph Reilly, sons-in-law Joseph Willard Blackwell and William C. Stevens. Survivors: Son: Clyde Edward Steele of Gatlinburg Daughters and sons-in-law: Barbara S. Stevens of Gatlinburg, Alice S. and David Hairrell of Cleveland, TN, Mary S. and Joe Scudder of Wilmington, NC, and Theresa S. and Tom Prince of St. Louis, MO Grandchildren: Tina Nelson, Amy Bales, Patrick Maples, Angie Brown, Chris, Doug, and Mike Hairrell, April Scudder, Brandy Falcone, Mark and Dexter Juvinall, Kerrie, Bucky and James Steele Great-grandchildren: Chad, Aaron, Nathan, Kendra, and Jada Ogle, Madison, William, and Catherine Brown, Eva Hairrell, Will Hairrell, Caitlin, Claire, and Caroline Hairrell, Jacob and Grace Juvinall, and Steele Falcone Great-great-grandchildren: Dawson Werner and Reece Ogle Many special friends, including: Elizabeth Fragge, Judy Flanagan, Karly Feltz, Ed and Pauline St. Pierre In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church (for the needy), 304 Historic Nature Trail, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, or Covenant HomeCare Hospice Fund, 1901 W. Clinch Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37916. The family will receive friends Friday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Gatlinburg from 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM. For those wishing to participate, the rosary will be recited in Catherine’s honor at 11:30 AM with a funeral mass immediately following around 12:00 noon with Father Philip F. Thoni officiating. She will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband at Smoky Mountain Memory Gardens in Pigeon Forge following the mass. Pallbearers will be her grandsons Patrick Maples, Chris, Doug, and Mike Hairrell, Mark and Dexter Juvinall. Honorary pallbearers will be Bucky and James Steele. Arrangements by Atchley Funeral Home, Sevierville. (www.atchleyfuneralhome.com)