Katelyn Kiley Groda, 17, of Lavaca/Greenwood, Arkansas went to be with our Lord and Savior on Friday, May 13, 2022. Katelyn excelled academically in school. She was in the gifted and talented program, she took AP classes, she was so bright that she completely skipped her 11th grade year. She had been accepted into the University of Arkansas, and had received multiple scholarships. She was going to study education to become a principal.
Katelyn had a friend that could only talk in sign language and Katelyn became proficient at signing. Katelyn worked at Spartan’s trampoline park, where she was in charge of the party rooms. She was able to use her sign language skills with children that were hearing impaired. She had a great work ethic and her employer praised her. Throughout her school years she was on the cheer and dance teams. She loved sitting at the special needs lunch table and making those students feel more accepted.
Katelyn was a Christian from a young age, she loved God and said church camp was her favorite place to go every summer. She was involved in a bible study with her dentist, Dr. Terry Jennings for the last six weeks of her life. Katelyn was an organ donor and although she lost her life, she gave the gift of life to many.
She was a precious young lady and was dearly loved by many. She touched many lives and made an impact on everyone she met.
She is survived by her parents, Victoria and Aaron Price and Bryan and Monica Groda, two brothers, Wesley Jeffers and Blake Groda; three sisters, Lyncoln Groda, Lyla Wibbing and Kaylle Price; grandparents, Rosemary and Glenn Groda, Kerry and Bill Kizziar, Helen Calos, Victor and Diane Darris and Jeff and Glynieta Price and great grandmother, Evelyn Spivey.
Funeral service will be 10 a.m., Thursday, May 19 at Greenwood First Baptist Church with burial at Liberty Cemetery under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home of Greenwood. Viewing will be Wednesday from 2 – 7 p.m. at the church, where the family will visit with friends from 5 – 7 p.m.
Pallbearers will be Bill Williamson, Joshua Groda, Jackson Groda, Phillip Howard, Cody Darris, Shane Darris and Tony Duschinsky. Honorary pallbearers will be Will Dawson, Joshua Couch, Jackson Groda, Wesley Jeffers and Sebastian County EMS.
