Katherine Madole

OKLAHOMA CITY - On February 4th, as the music to “It is Well with My Soul” was playing, our sweet, beloved Katie (or Mam-a) went home to be with her Lord and Savior. She was 107 years old. She lived such a blessed life and would tell others about just how blessed her life was. Katherine Anna Marie Rowland was born August 14, 1916 in Oklahoma City at her farmhouse on SW 44th and May which still stands. She grew up on a dairy farm with her father and 2 older brothers. Always the princess, Katie hated her job of washing the milk bottles for her father’s business, but she dutifully did it anyway. At the age of 7, her doting father bought Katie a piano which she instantly loved and cherished. Playing at school concerts and at Exchange Avenue’s Hispanic ministry brought her so much joy. She literally played the piano for 100 years! Incidentally, that same original piano, her “dear friend” is still in the family. In high school, Katie met the love of her life, Robert Madole. They married in 1935 and had 3 children, Wayne, Betty and Jim. Katie started taking her kids to Exchange Avenue Baptist Church in 1943 after a neighbor invited her. She loved it from the start, and they joined in 1945. The next year she started teaching Sunday School and faithfully and joyfully taught for 73 years. She said that “teaching is a calling from God not more important than any other place of service, but preparation and study are required along with dedication.” Oh how Katie loved teaching the ladies in her Sunday School class! Katie was also known for her love of games. She and Bob regularly played games with friends every Friday night. Grandkids always looked forward to playing Yahtzee or Wahoo with her every time they were together. Katie loved quilting and crocheting too. She always had something she was working on - something to keep her hands busy. Whether it was working in her flower beds, crocheting, quilting or playing the piano, she was happiest when she was busy with her hands. People always asked what her secret was. She would consistently tell them, “Well, I’d say, loving the Lord, hot black coffee, Yahtzee, not taking a lot of medicine, and choosing to be happy.” Katie loved and was so proud of her family. She was blessed with 10 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and 30 great-great-grandchildren. After out-living all of her children, several if not all of her close friends, and even some of her grandkids, Katie would often say, “I guess that the Lord just isn’t through with me yet. I will just keep trying to do my best to be a blessing to others.” Well, what a BLESSING you have been Mam-a! So, thank you for being such a huge blessing and part of our lives as we watched you live (and die) as a child of God. I can see you now, just beaming as you see your loved ones that are already in heaven and as the Lord says to you, “Well Done, Katie!” The family will be present to greet friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 6-8 PM. Services celebrating her life will be held at 1:00 PM, Friday, Feb. 9, 2024 at Exchange Ave. Baptist Church1312 S. Penn Ave OKC. Visit www.vondelsmithmortuary to share a memory with the family