In the quiet early hours of a beautiful New Mexico summer morning at the Albuquerque home of her daughter Susan Sandager, Katherine passed into the loving arms of Jesus on Aug. 5, 2026.

A Celebration of Life service took place on a sunny Friday at the same residence a few days later, on Aug. 21. She was ’s interred at Rest Lawn Memory Gardens in Franklin, Ky., with the remains of her husband, Smith MeachamWare, who predeceased her in 1980.

Although living in beautiful Albuquerque, New Mexico for more than two decades during the last season of her life, Katherine’s heart held a very special place for Franklin, Ky., where she was born on May 27, 1928 and lived most of her life.

Along with her husband, Katherine was predeceased by her daughter, Judy Martinez, in 2003; by her parents, Delbert and Mallie Holloway; and by her five older siblings.

She is survived by her son, Don Ware and wife, Donella, of Ft. Worth, Texas; her daughter, Susan Sandager and husband, John, of Albuquerque, New Mexico; and a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren who carry her memory and continue to benefit from the love she had for each of them