Kathy Ann Whitson

Maud resident Kathy Ann Whitson, lovingly known to many as “Big Kat,” passed away on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City at the age of 71.

Kathy was born on April 9, 1954, in Indio, California, to John Edmondson and Corena Mae (Tiger) Edmondson-England. A proud 1972 graduate of Bowlegs High School, Kathy’s life carried her to many places; including Mexico, California, and the Philippines, before she planted her roots in Oklahoma.

She married Steven Moore, and together they had two sons, Steven John Moore and Cory Don Moore. Later, she married Robert Whitson, and they welcomed her youngest son, Bobby Allen Whitson. Kathy’s family was her greatest joy, and she loved nothing more than being surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Kathy worked hard throughout her life, spending time at Blue Bell (now Wrangler) before joining Walmart, where she worked for ten years as an overnight cashier and customer service manager. It was there she became affectionately known as “Big Kat,” a nickname that reflected her big heart, big laugh, and the way her presence filled a room. She eventually took early retirement, but her work family never forgot her.

Outside of work, Kathy loved camping with her family and friends, where stories and laughter were shared around the fire. She also had a lifelong love for animals and was never afraid to bring home rescues, at one point caring for a duck, a deer, her beloved dog Tuffy, and even a rhesus macaque monkey. Each one had a place in her heart.

Kathy was also a fan of true crime shows and the kind of person who could always be counted on to tell a good story. She will be remembered as a strong, loving woman whose sense of humor, loyalty, and warmth made her unforgettable. To her family, she was more than a mother and grandmother, she was a steady source of love, laughter, and comfort.

She is survived by her sons, Cory Don Moore and Bobby Allen Whitson; her grandchildren, Stevie Mathews (Moore), Houston Moore, Trinity Moore, Mariah Whitson, and Kendra Whitson; and her great-grandson, Callahan Mathews. She also leaves behind her brothers and sisters-in-law, Micheal and Arilie England of Seminole, William and Terri England of Georgia, Samuel England of Wolf, and George England Jr. of Wolf; her sisters and brother-in-law, Edith and Gordon Cleary of Maud, and Teresa Edmondson of Edmond; along with many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and countless friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, John Edmondson; her mother, Corena England; her stepfather, George England; her son, Steven John Moore; her grandson, Trenton Whitson; and her brother, Larry England.

Serving as pallbearers will be Jordan Barnett, Nicholas Barnett, Zachary Kelough, Isaac Barnett, Harley Lovett and Cody England.  Honorary pallbearers are Tony Hall, Stanley Lincoln, Trey McGill, Kobe Simons, Michael Kelough II and Stewart "Stu" Lincoln.

A wake will be held on Friday, October 3, 2025, from 5:00–7:00 p.m. at Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma. Funeral services will follow on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at the Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Farrel “Punkin” Smith officiating. Interment will be at Tiger Family Cemetery in Maud. Meal to follow at First Baptist Church Seminole on top of the hill.