Kate Sellers

Katie was born in August 1937 in McColl, South Carolina to Thomas and Susannah Hazeltine Boykin. She attended Winthrop College, and after graduation, she married Hardy James Sellers, Jr (Jack) in August 1958. They have celebrated 66 years of marriage. Jack remained the love of her life, and even after 66 years, Katie’s face would light up when he came in, and when sitting together, she would reach for his hand. As newlyweds, they settled in Columbia, SC where Jack was in the Army. They had two children, Julia (Judy) Taylor and Hardy James Sellers III. She was a proud grandmother of 6 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter and another on the way. Katie’s motherly and grandmotherly love was not limited to her children but extended to many close friends of the family as well as her many students.

Katie loved the Lord and her church. She and Jack were members of First Presbyterian Church of Columbia, SC for more than 48 years. Katie was involved with the Women’s Circle and taught 4-year-old Sunday School for 20 years. Her love for the Lord and others was evident in everything she did.

Katie was a lifelong teacher. She began teaching at Schneider School in Columbia until her first child was born. When her youngest started school, she began teaching 5th grade at Hammond Academy. She thrived teaching at Hammond, loving the students and fellow teachers, remaining there for over twenty years. While still teaching, she took classes and received her Master's in Library Science from the University of South Carolina once her children started college. Katie later taught at Crayton Middle School until her retirement.

Most of all Katie loved her family and friends. She and her sisters and brother (Thomas Rives Boykin) organized family beach vacations for many years and later family Christmas reunions. Katie dearly loved her sisters, Susannah McKellar and Louise Boone, who were often her partners in excursions, including a well-remembered trip to Germany together.

As a mom, she was always there to talk, pray or just lend an ear. For Hardy and Judy, she was the heart of the home, and they cherished her warmth and love. She also adored her daughter-in-law, Melissa, and her son-in-law, Dave. She was happiest when surrounded by all her family.

She was an amazing grandmother (Mimi) and would host “Camp MiPop” for her grandchildren. She arranged swimming, horseback riding, art projects, library and museum visits. Each grandchild brought her delight: Hunter and Ryan Taylor, Mary Kate (Tortorich), Megan, Matthew, and McLane Sellers. This delight and pride grew to include Mary Kate’s husband Andrew, and Hunter’s wife Kayleigh. Her legacy is a family that loves the Lord and loves each other.

Katie is survived by her husband, Jack, and their two children Judy Taylor (Dave) and Hardy Sellers (Melissa), grandchildren, and great-granddaughter. She is also survived by her sisters, Louise Boone and Susannah McKellar along with many loved nieces and nephews.

The family sincerely thanks her loving caregivers Stella Carey, Angel Davis, Lisa Daniels, and Joyce Daniels.

In place of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to First Presbyterian Church, 1324 Marion Street, Columbia, SC 29201.

A graveside service for Kate will be held Wednesday, February 5, 2025 at 10:00 AM at Alabama Heritage Funeral Home, 10505 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery, AL 36117.