Kathryn Gen Lumpkins

Kathryn was born in Houston, on the 25th of July 1984. She was a precocious child - pensive, perceptive, and lovely. Her parents, Kristi and David, called her Kate and she quickly corrected anyone who called her Katie. “Just Kate,” she said! Only later did she decide to go by Kathryn.

She was a conscientious, diligent student from the very beginning. In 2003, she graduated as one of the valedictorians at Memorial High School. Active in sports, she was the captain of so many teams in middle and high school one coach called her “Captain Kate!” In high school she was honored with the Houston Chronicle Student-Athlete Award. Her senior year, her classmates voted her ‘Most Likely to Win the Nobel Peace Prize’ - an acknowledgment of both her intellect and compassion.

Kathryn's academic interests were not just for personal growth but also to enrich the lives of others. In 2010, she earned a bachelor’s degree in religious studies from the University of Virginia and became a research assistant at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture in Charlottesville. She actively participated in Reformed University Fellowship and Strategic Ministry Bible Study. She was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. With her servant's heart, Kathryn applied her compassion and sense of service by mentoring students from Yellowstone Academy, leaving a lasting impact on many young lives.

Kathryn treasured spending time outdoors. She spent many happy days riding horses at her family’s farm in Round Top, Texas, and summers in Colorado. She loved her family including her sister-in-law Presley who brought her three beautiful nieces.

Kathryn passed away at the age of forty after a 20-year battle with schizophrenia. The second half of her life represents the tragic narrative of so many suffering with mental illness. Although we love her so much and will miss her every day, we take solace in knowing she is now healthy and whole in the presence of our Lord.

Kathryn Gen Lumpkins is survived by her parents, Kristi and David Lumpkins; her brothers, Paul and Blake; sister-in-law Presley; and three nieces, Palmer, Elliott, and Griffin.

We’d like to express special gratitude to her Aunt Kari Curtin and special friend Patty Smith for their constant devotion to her wellbeing.

A memorial service is to be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Friday, the 20th of September, at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Road in Houston.

For those unable to attend, virtual attendance may be obtained by selecting the “Join Livestream” icon in the “Services” section.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent Bagby Parish Hall.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in Kathryn’s name be directed to The Hope and Healing Center or The Monarch Community by simply selecting the link below under "Donations".

We invite you to take a few moments to share fond memories and words of comfort and condolence with her family by selecting the “Add a Memory” icon below.