Mary Kathryn Luker, 88, passed away on June 26, 2026. Born February 7, 1938, in Sylacauga, Alabama. Mary Kathryn grew up in the Oldfield community and graduated from Sylacauga High School. She was a longtime resident of Papertown, Alabama.
Mary Kathryn devoted 25 years of steady, conscientious service to the Talladega County Revenue Commissioner’s office, where she served as Deputy Revenue Commissioner. In that work, her honesty, diligence, and quiet strength were evident—qualities that earned trust and left a lasting mark on those who had the privilege of working alongside her.
For 69 and a half years, Mary Kathryn shared a faithful and devoted marriage with her husband, Billy Joe Luker. Together they built a family rooted in love and loyalty, and they found joy in the simple blessings of life as well as in wide horizons—traveling throughout the United States and in Europe. They also enjoyed fellowship as members of a Street Rod Club, carrying with them a warm spirit and an easy, gentle humor that made time together memorable. She found deep joy in her family, especially in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whom she cherished wholeheartedly. To them, she was “Mawmaw Kitty Kat,” a name that carried the warmth of her kind-hearted love and the gentle humor that so often brightened the lives around her.
Mary Kathryn’s faith was a guiding light. She loved her church, Odena Baptist Church, where she was a member for 35 years. She served as financial secretary, sang in the choir, and worked on various committees—giving of herself with patience, generosity, and a selfless devotion that reflected the depth of her convictions. To many, she was truly “salt of the earth”: kind-hearted, loving, thoughtful, and wise in the ways that matter most. Her life remains an inspiration, not through grand display, but through steadfast compassion and the quiet courage of daily faithfulness.
Mary Kathryn is survived by her husband, Billy Joe Luker; her son, Mark Luker (Angel); her daughter, Tracy Haney (Jimmy); her brother, Donnie Hickman; her grandchildren, Brent Haney (April), Morgan Turner (Bryant), Amanda Harris (Michael), Hunter Luker (Tessa), Kacie Evans (Phillip), and Julie Anne Smith (Logan); and her great-grandchildren, Kennedy Turner, Zoe Turner, Trey Turner, Bailey Haney, Brooks Haney, Brynlee Haney, Hannah Harris, and Lucas Harris.
Mary Kathryn was preceded in death by her father, Marion Hilton Hickman; her mother, Annie Pearl Hickman; her brother, Jerry Hickman; and her daughters, Karen Jan Luker and Sharon Jill Luker.
Visitation will be held at Curtis and Son Funeral Home, North Chapel, 1315 Talladega Hwy, Sylacauga, Alabama 35150, on June 28, 2026, from 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm. Funeral Service will follow at 4:00 pm at the same location. Interment will take place at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery, 1501 Talladega Highway, Sylacauga.
Pallbearers will be Hunter Luker, Michael Harris, Brent Haney, Bryant Turner, Vernon Dukes, and Alan Giddens.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Odena Baptist Church.
The family extends special thanks to her caregivers Helen Gilliam, Cindy Spanks, Ethel Stamps, Alfreda Leonard, and Keisha Martin and to Southern Care New Beacon Hospice for their compassionate care and support.
