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www.southernsenior.info 21 people who over the years always did things, big and small, to make the Picayune students the best possible.” In 1978, the family of L.O. Crosby, Jr, shortly after the time of his death, announced plans to set aside land fronting Interstate 59 as a living memorial to his memory. Soon after Stewart and Lynn Crosby Gammill requested Katherine join the Arboretum Board as secretary. “Being a part of the beginning of the Crosby Ar- boretum was a wonderful experience, particularly being able to hear what consultants from around the country had to say,” she remarked. In 1980, Katherine was selected as the Citizen of the Year by the Greater Picayune Chamber of Commerce. “I remember Mr. Henley (Superintendent) kept making sure I was going to be at the banquet that night. I finally figured out why that evening,” she said with a big smile. In 1982, Katherine was so excited when the school’s Vo-Tech program received computers from the Mississippi State Department of Education through a program that awarded schools with an exceptional adult education program and had in- structors with a professional background like Katherine’s. Katherine recognized the opportunity this was for students in the school and she also knew what was happening across the business world. Her insight then, resonates today, in a quote from her in The Picayune Item announcing the arrival of the com- puter. “The technology of the future will require that every student have some knowledge of computers.” She was spot on with her assessment back then. In 1987, Katherine was inducted into the first class of University of Southern Mississippi’s Hall of Fame. She is a member of the Aubrey K. Lucas Foundation Society and received a medallion rec- ognizing her sixty plus years in the Pearl River County Alumni Chapter. She, along with John Wil- son, George Pollitz, and USM representative Pow- ell Ogletree, organized the Chapter while sitting at a table in Wilson Pharmacy. Katherine stated that the Chapter was very successful because of Percy and Rosalyn Folks’ leadership. Katherine was the backbone of the Future Busi- ness Leaders of America (FBLA) at Picayune. Serving as an advisor, her students placed and won numerous awards at both the state and na- tional level. All along her way, church came first. Katherine was deeply involved at First United Methodist and served in every capacity but preaching. She worked on every level in the United Methodist Women. In 2018, Katherine was honored for her years of service on local, district, and state levels. Mission work has always been foremost on her agenda and she continues to support Christian Care, Crossroads Food Pantry, Bac-Pac Ministry, and Dell Moffat Circle Mission for school uniforms and school supplies. “I treasure the time I have been able to serve with young people in preparation for church member- ship,” she added. Throughout her life, Katherine has given the gift of educating others, whether it was in the classroom, in a club or organization, in church, or in everyday life. She was the bearer of the finest gifts like wis- dom, knowledge, encouragement, love, friendship, and most importantly, a legacy of service to God. Her circle of influence is enormous and continues to spread in her community, a community she has blessed in so many ways. July 25 is her birthday and Katherine will turn 95 this year (2021). Katherine has always been pre- pared and now is no different. “Picayune has been great to and for me. I pray that I have been good for Picayune.” Over the years, she has been known by many names including Miss Moak, Mrs. Furr, Ms. Katherine, K, and by her young friends as ‘Kaf-rin’. Katherine states that Rev. R.T. Buckley has agreed to send her off; Earl Smith will sing; she’s not anxious, but ready. Happy 95 th Birthday, Katherine Moak Furr. S