Kathleen V. Teagarden

She celebrated her 100th birthday on June 6th with a traditional Western PA “cookie table”, and a “drop in” of friends, neighbors, and relatives. The event was hosted by her family on her porch, which was her favorite summertime spot.

Kate was the widow of Robert (Bob) H. Teagarden who died June 22, 1998. They were married on October 15, 1942 in Baltimore, MD.

Bob was a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne and parachuted into Normandy on D-Day, which was Kate’s 19th birthday. Bob’s desire was to revisit St. Mere Eglise with Kate. Family members honored his wishes and traveled with her to the 80th Anniversary of D-Day in 2024.

Kate was born June 6, 1925 in Whitely Township, Greene County. She was the 3rd child of James L. Varner and Etheal Easter Rose Varner.

Predeceasing her were siblings: Charles Rose Varner, Mary Louise Varner Taylor, James L. Varner Jr.(Bud), and Olivedel Varner Hughes.

She grew up in her grandparents (Rose) farmhouse. Her grandmother Rose enjoyed her grandchildren very much and Kate considered her “like a second mother”.

Across the gravel road was the one room school house she attended. She fondly remembered her teacher, Miss Anna Bradford.

She was baptized at Claughton Chapel Methodist Church, which is up a winding road from her childhood home. Kate will be laid to rest in the church cemetery which overlooks the land where she was born and spent her childhood.

To finish high school in Waynesburg a friend invited Kate to live with her family. She met Bob playing in the high school band.

After World War II Kate and Bob set up housekeeping in his childhood home on Race Street. They built and moved to the Porter Street house in 1959.

Kate raised her 6 children and retired from the medical records department at the former Greene County Memorial Hospital.

She was a member of the DAR and Farm Women of Whitely Township. She was usually the recording secretary because she had beautiful penmanship.

Kate was the repository of family pictures, and she researched family genealogy.

She was an excellent seamstress (bridesmaid’s gowns, shirtwaist dresses, satin lined majorette skirts). She loved to crochet, especially baby blankets.

Her 2 nieces (who are quilters) finished 2 quilts she had from the past as a tribute to her.

Kate is survived by six children: Judith Ann Clayton (Bob), Rosemary Birt, Robert V. Teagarden (Vonnie), Karen Sue Calvert (Rick), Beth Ellen Day, and James A. Teagarden; 9 grandchildren; 12 3/4 great grandchildren; and four nephews and 12 nieces.

Friends will be received on Friday, August 15, 2025 from 10 am to 12 noon the hour of funeral services in the Milliken & Throckmorton Funeral Home, Maiden Street, Waynesburg, PA 15370, with Pastor Paul Salosky officiating. Interment will follow in Claughton Chapel Cemetery, Kirby. Condolences may be expressed online at www.milliken-throckmortonfh.com.