Dr. Katharine Rea

Dr. Katharine Rea passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 13 at her home surrounded by several family members. She was predeceased by her parents, Bud Higdon Rea, Sr. and Georgia Taylor Rea; a brother, Charles B. Rea, of Meridian; and a niece, Linda Rea Varnell of Jacksonville, FL; Survivors include two brothers, George R. Rea of Meridian and Bud H. Rea, Jr. (Dee) of Jacksonville, FL; four nieces Merry Rea Thomson of Bay St. Louis, Donna Rea Allen (Mark) , Karen Bray, and Pamela Sneden, all of Jacksonville, FL; also three nephews, George Robert Rea, Jr.(Karen) and Charles Edwin Rea (Bobbie) of Meridian, and Bud H. Rea, III (Sandy) of Jacksonville, FL. She also leaves several grandnieces and grandnephews to mourn her passing. Dr. Rea had many, many friends on the Gulf Coast, throughout Mississippi and the nation. She was a member of St. Marks Episcopal Church in Gulfport. Dr. Rea was reared in Meridian. She attended Copiah-Lincoln Community College and Delta State University. She then taught in high schools for a few years prior to joining the The University of Mississippi as a Counselor. While at the University of Mississippi she took time out to receive a Masters degree from Duke University and her PhD. from Ohio State University. Dr. Rea served as a Counselor, Program Director of the Christian Association, Dean of Women, Professor of Higher Education, and President of the American Association of University Professors. As Professor of Education she taught the first course on "Women" long before "Women's Studies" was an academic subject. She was a staunch friend for the early black students enrolled at Ole Miss. Her philosophy as a teacher: "take the students where you find them and lift their vision for more intellectual inquiry." She retired from the University of Mississippi as Professor Emeritus having directed more doctoral students through their Ph.D. programs than any other professor at that time. She was recognized at the University of Mississippi with the Mortar Board Award for "Outstanding Woman Faculty"; "Teacher of the Year, School of Education"; and at her retirement a piece of sculpture was placed in the School of Education in the name of Katharine Rea. After her retirement from the University of Mississippi where she had been a woman to be reckoned with for 26 years, she was cited "for her selfless investment of time and concern for the program of her scores of doctoral students; for her admirable humanitarian interests and resolute support of equality of opportunity for all peoples; and for her keen interest and effort on improving the status of women. During her years at Ole Miss Dr. Rea was actively involved with the League of Women Voters(served at State President), American Association of University Women(served as local and State President), member of the State Board of Mississippi Association of Mental Health, The Mississippi Council on Human Relations, The Mississippi Humanities Council, and the national Board of the YWCA. Her work with the Mississippi Association of Women's Deans and Counselors is legendary. She was the DEAN of the Deans. Having taught in the Gulfport High School and having served as their first Counselor, Dr. Rea loved the Gulf Coast. The next day following her last "graduation" at Ole Miss, she returned to Gulfport and entered into its civic life with unabated enthusiasm. The civic organizations which claimed her membership found a leader. On the Gulf Coast she participated in Book Clubs, the Rape Crisis Center, the Mental Health Center, Friends of the Library, the Gulf Coast Symphony Guild, the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra, The Gulf Coast Opera Salon, and the Cleophan Club. She had been the "official fund raiser" for worthy community projects, and she worked tirelessly for the preservation of Jones Park on the Gulf Coast. Dr. Rea has been a leader in AAUW for more than half a century. In her later years she has been a Mentor to all. AAUW has established an endowment fund for "Research and Projects" in her name. The LWV recognized her efforts with membership with their "Thelma Workman Award” The Gulf Coast Symphony Board of Directors honored her with an "Honorary Lifelong Membership." The Gulf Coast Opera Salon presented her with their "Carmen Award" for outstanding contributions. The Mississippi Humanities Council held her as an Advisory Member and honored her with its "Public Humanities Award" for her support of public humanities programs throughout the state. Dr. Rea will long be remembered as an educator, as a social activist, but her record for "equality of opportunity" in Mississippi's turbulent 60's can not be matched by any other woman in this state Her's was a voice of reason at the most traditional of all institutions. This woman was a MENTOR to many and one who dared to enter the arena of life and fight for that which she judged to be right, just and fair. She is one of the most recognized "agents of change" in Mississippi during the twentieth century The funeral service will be Wednesday, March 16, 2005 at 10:30 A.M. at St. Marks Episcopal Church in Gulfport where friends may visit from 10:00 a.m. until the service. The committal service will follow at 4:00 p.m. at Magnolia Cemetery in Meridian. Memorials are requested in lieu of flowers to: St. Marks Episcopal Church, Gulf Coast Symphony, MS Humanities Council, Memorial Hospice of Gulfport. Bradford-O'Keefe, 15th Street, Gulfport is in charge of arrangements.