Catherine O'Kelley Wikle

Catherine was born March 16th, 1937, to the late George H. O’Kelley and Catherine G. O’Kelley. Catherine grew up in Atlanta, Georgia where she attended Christ the King High School. She graduated from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in 1958 and began her career as a Registered Nurse.

After moving to Macon with her husband, Bill, in 1965, she worked at Parkview Hospital and then moved to Middle Georgia Hospital where she spent the rest of her nursing career. Affectionately known by many co-workers as “Granny”, she supervised the Intensive Care Unit and Area for over twenty years. She loved the nurses and doctors she worked with, and especially loved the patients she cared for, until she retired from nursing after 45 years in 2002. Catherine was also active in the Macon AA community and very proud of her 35 years of sobriety. Between decades of nursing and community support of AA, she positively impacted the lives and families of countless people.

Often called “Tat” by her husband, family, and close friends, she loved music and dancing. She enjoyed spending time at the lake with her family and friends. She excelled at horse riding in her younger years. She was very involved in her children’s many activities. She often served as “Team Mom” to one of her children’s many sports teams, and served as a Cub Scout Den Mother for several years. In her retirement, she loved to cross stitch, garden, travel, and dote on her many Shih tzu puppies. Catherine was a lifelong parishioner at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and enjoyed participating in the Saint Vincent dePaul Society.

Catherine was predeceased by her parents George and Catherine O’Kelley, son George Robert Wikle, brother Edward O’Kelley, and sister Marianna Miller. She is survived by her husband Bill, daughter Connie, sons Billy and John, and grandsons Clay and Nate Oliver, Xan and Caleb Wikle, and George, Garrett, Joshua, and Jake Wikle.

A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church at 830 Poplar Street at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, June 3rd, followed by a graveside service at Rose Hill Cemetery. There will be a viewing where the family will greet friends from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon at Snow's Memorial Chapel at 746 Cherry Street. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Visit www.snowsmacon.com to express tributes. Snow’s Memorial Chapel, Cherry Street, has charge of arrangements.