Kathie McCulloch Tallant

Kathie McCulloch Tallant, 72, died on February 2, 2025, at her residence in Knoxville, Tennessee, as a result of glioblastoma (brain cancer). She and her husband Thomas had recently returned to Knoxville after having spent the last seven years enjoying their retirement in Anchorage, Alaska.

Kathie's parents, who preceded her in death, were Jack Duggan McCulloch, a submariner during World War Il, and Jeannette McCulloch Cross. Jack and Jeannette took their infant daughter home to ALCOA workers' housing in 1952. Kathie grew up in North Knoxville in the St. Mary's Hospital neighborhood. She graduated from Fulton High School in 1970 and later earned B.A. (English and History) and M.A. (English) degrees from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.

Her professional career was spent primarily at the U.S. Department of Energy sites in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, as a technical editor and writer. In her younger years she worked briefly at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, as a U.S. Senate science intern.

Kathie was a life-long Presbyterian and an avid reader who relished discussing books with her friends in the UT faculty women's book club and beyond. She loved to listen to music, particularly the harpsichord, and to play the piano. She also loved modern and classical dance and ballet.

She is survived by her husband, Thomas; children, Robert McKeehan (Ann) and Margaret McKeehan (Tate Hornbeck); and granddaughters, Helen and Frances McKeehan. Her daughter, Mary McKeehan, preceded her in death.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., at First Presbyterian Church, Knoxville, Tennessee. A private burial service will follow the worship service. Donations can be made in Kathie’s name to First Presbyterian Church, Knoxville, or to The Glioblastoma Foundation.