Kathy Randolph Sproles

Kathy was a proud resident of Northport, Alabama, for the last several years. She lived in Alabama in her younger years and spent most of her adult years in Tennessee and later in California. She moved back to Alabama after retirement to look after her parents. Kathy graduated from Tuscaloosa High School at age 17. She received a BA majoring in speech from David Lipscomb University, Nashville, TN. She went on to receive a Master's of Education from Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN. Kathy worked as a college teacher for most of her life and loved education and her students. She was the Associate Professor of Reading/Developmental Studies and Education at Roane State Community College, Harriman, TN. Her last teaching job was at Hartnell Community College, Salinas, CA. She served in many educational roles and was on numerous boards, such as the National Education Association, and served as the NEA President from 2003 to 2007.

Though Kathy never had any biological children, her influence and love were given freely to so many throughout her life. Kathy had many students who called her “mom”. Her friends described her as having a giving heart and a gentle, kind spirit. It was said by a close friend that it always seemed like you had her undivided attention and she genuinely cared about you and what you were saying.

Kathy had a great love for theatre. It began in high school with the Tuscaloosa Little Theatre, where she was both on stage and behind the scenes. She went on to be a part of the Murfreesboro Community Theatre, the Oak Ridge Playhouse, the Kingston Community Theatre, and the Roane State Community College Theatre.

Kathy is preceded in death by her father and mother, and her brother, Michael Randolph. Kathy’s immediate surviving family are her son and daughter-in-law, Darrell and Amanda Sproles of Oakridge, TN, her grand-children, Thomas (Rebecca), Charlie, Lily and Josiah Sproles and two great grand-children, Nate and Flora, her nephews Jeff, affectionately called “son”, and Wayne Randolph, her Aunt Jimmie Courington, her Uncle Joe Harve Covin and her special cousins Marsha Key and Paula Harry.

The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to all of Kathy’s caregivers for their compassionate care and kindness — Enhabit Home Health Care and Hospice, and A Touch of Love Home Health Care Service. Thank you especially to Bertha Ryans, and a special thank you to Jeanette Hinton, who put her personal life on hold to remain and help care for Kathy 24/7 in her last days of life.

Services will be held at Sunset Funeral Home, 3802 Watermelon Road, Northport, Al 35473 on April 15, 2026 at 2:00Pm. Visitation will be one hour prior to service, followed by a graveside prayer at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations made to the Alzheimer's Association or to a charity or ministry of your choice in her memory.