Kathryn Oven Obituary

Kathryn "Kat" Thigpen Oven

Kathryn (Kat) Oven was a long time resident of Betton Hills, Tallahassee, Florida, known for teaching kindergarten at Holy Comforter Episcopal School, her love of St. Teresa Beach, and epitomizing classic southern charm and grace. Kat died Monday, May 19, 2014 in Tallahassee, Florida at the age of 95.

Mrs. Oven was the widow of Hamilton S. "Tib" Oven, WWII Veteran and former building contractor in Tallahassee. The couple met while he was in college at the University of Florida and she at Florida State College for Women. They were married from 1940 - 1989.

Kat was born in Sanford, Florida on April 15, 1919, the daughter of the late William John and Frances Thigpen. After graduating from Seminole High in 1937, she matriculated in 1939 from Florida State College for Women (FSCW) in Tallahassee, FL, with a certificate in Elementary Education. She was a member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority.

Kat taught school in Sanford while Tib was in the South Pacific during WWII. After Tib completed a tour of duty as a major in the Army, they moved to Tallahassee. She was one of the founding members and taught pre-kindergarten at Holy Comforter Episcopal School for 19 years. Kat's love for teaching children can still be seen throughout Tallahassee as many of her past kindergarten children still reside in Tallahassee and have children of their own at Holy Comforter, St John's Episcopal Church and throughout town.

Kat was a long term fixture at St. Teresa Beach where she cherished hot summer days, swimming, fishing, scalloping, and happy hour on the front porch. Kat lived a full life in Tallahassee as a member of the Colonels Club, Cotillion Club, Colonial Dames, Junior League of Tallahassee and St. John's Episcopal Church. She loved playing bridge, dancing, and entertaining.

Kat is a beloved member of an extensive family and survived by her three sons, Hamilton "Buck" S. Oven, Jr. (Betsy), William Randolph Oven (Kathy Kiernan) and John Michael Oven (Frances); six grandchildren: Sabrina Oven, Audra Oven, Kathryn Oven Sutton (Tom), John Oven, Hollis Oven and Scott Hubener; and five great grandchildren, Savannah Cole, Bradley Cole, Trevor Cole, Tyler Cole and Emi Hubener. She was preceded in death by her sister Jane Ray. She is also survived by sisters-in-law Elinor Oven and Ida Oven Pugh and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Kat's beloved friend, Davisson Dunlap, graced and enriched her life when he moved to Tallahassee in 2002. They enjoyed 12 years traveling across the world and spending time with each other's family and friends. Davisson resides in Tallahassee, Florida with his family.

Her family would like to thank her care givers, Evelyn Grant, Theodore Williams, Phyllis Smith, Dwanda Smith, Melisse Blackshear for providing excellent care to Kat. They would also like to extend their gratitude to the staff at Big Bend Hospice and Clare Bridge.

A celebration of life will be held at 3:00 pm, Thursday, May 22, 2014, at St. John's Episcopal Church, 211 North Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32301. The family will receive friends at the church following the service.

Flowers may be sent to the church or memorial contributions made to St. John's Episcopal Church, The Alzheimer's Project Inc., Big Bend Hospice or the charity of your choice.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Tallahassee Democrat from May 21 to May 22, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Kathryn Oven

12 Entries

Betty Edenfield Piephoff

May 22, 2014

Randy,
Your mom truly typified the wonderful Greatest Generation. She and your dad were strong pillars in the community of our beautiful hometown. May you and your family find comfort and peace, knowing that her work on earth is done and she has been brought by God into a safe lodging for eternal holy rest.

Rosalind Huggins

May 21, 2014

Thanks to a special lady/teacher who made
a difference in so many young lives at
Holy Comforter--she was a teacher who
meant so much to our daughters. She
made children feel good about themselves. What wonderful contributions
she made and gave to others.

Marsha Brown

May 21, 2014

My heart is with the Oven family in this time of change.

Caryn Beck-Dudley

May 21, 2014

On behalf of the College of Business, our sincere condolences.

Nedra Tucker

May 21, 2014

My heartfelt sympathy and prayers go out the family. Those we love continue in our hearts and memories.

benjamin lewis

May 21, 2014

dear randy, mike and buck. i am saddened to hear about the passing of your mother. she was wonderful. i remember the day we caught that 10 foot 11 inch hammerhead shark, randy. your mother made sure there was a photograph taken of the two of us, with that shark. we were only about 14 years old at the time, as i remember it. many years later, i was down at st teresa and your other saw me walking out in front of the house, and called me over and showed me that photograph. what a mom she was. i believe that she is in a better place now, and that she and tib are dancing to that song, "little egypt". "little egypt came out struttin' wearing nothin'but a button and a bow" and "love potion number nine". that juke box at the oven house at old st teresa, sure livened that part of the beach up. my thoughts and prayers go out to the three of you, and to all of yours. much love always, benjamin b. lewis

Steve Edwards and family

May 21, 2014

Please accept our sincere condolences.

Lennon Moore

May 21, 2014

Buck, Randy, and Mike, I am so sorry to hear of your mom's passing. I remember her fondly from our childhood and I still see her as the tall, graceful and gracious mother of an extraordinary family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Dwanda Smith

May 21, 2014

In loving memory of a wonderful person. I will miss her smile and her exciting stories. Overall, I feel blessed to have shared a part of my life with her.

Death leaves a heartache
No one can heal;
But Love given by the person who is no more leaves a memory
No one can steal

Franklin Thompson

May 21, 2014

I grew up in my own neighborhood on Seventh Ave. and also in Mrs. Oven's neighborhood. Spent countless hours in her home. This was a fine lady.

Thanks Mrs. Oven

Carla and David Cowles

May 20, 2014

Randy, Buck and Mike, your mother was a very special southern woman. We will all miss her. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sincerely, Carla and David Cowles

Sabrina Oven

May 20, 2014

Grandmother has been one of the most influential ladies in my life. I am blessed to have shared our birthday celebrations together. She has not only been a delightful and loving grandmother, she has been my teacher, my role model, my mentor and my roommate. As we look through the years of photographs, so many memories we've shared as a family have been centered on her porches; the back porch in Betton and the front porch at the coast. Casual chats, cocktails and special celebrations, Grandmother gave us all a place to come home to and made everyone who knew her feel welcome.

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