Kathy Seckinger Woodrum was welcomed into this life on September 9, 1954, by her loving parents Gideon Waldhour Seckinger and Kathleen Wendelken Seckinger in Savannah, Georgia.
Over the nearly seven decades to follow, she lived a life guided by the principles of respect, kindness, and love, until her passing on January 2, 2023, in Rochester, Minnesota. While Kathy fought with determination and resiliency to remain in this life with her family and friends, she was steadfast in her faith that she was part of God's masterpiece, placed here to do the good things planned for her long ago until the time God would call her home.
Kathy's life began in her family's home in Effingham County, Georgia, which she shared with her parents and siblings, Cheryl ("Cherry") Seckinger Harden and Jody Alan Seckinger. Her father, affectionately known as "G.W.", instilled a focus on family and faith into his family's lives. Kathy maintained this focus, which she treasured dearly, throughout her life. She was a lifelong member of Jerusalem Lutheran Church and valued her heritage as a Georgia Salzburger.
Kathy and her family lost G.W. suddenly and tragically while Kathy was at a young age, which only served to draw her closer to her community of faith and family. She would insist that her many aunts - Juanita Wendelken Rahn, Louise Wendelken Hinely, Leona Seckinger Carrigg, Jane Seckinger Edwards, Evelyn Seckinger Baxter, Madge Rosalyn Seckinger, and Mary Seckinger Williams - and uncles - Calvin Lee Seckinger, Clyde Stanley Wendelken, Robert Lee Wendelken, and William Ralph Wendelken - who loved and cared for her family so dearly after her father's passing be remembered. Her cousins while too prolific to list will never be forgotten for their affection spread long after the passing of their own parents and grandparents who helped Kathy's family in their greatest time of need. With the support of extended family, Kathy experienced a full life. She was able to see her sister Cherry marry Ronald Wayne Harden and have two children - Nicole Harden Carnes and Dr. Brandon Wayne Harden - and her brother Jody marry Amanda Robertson Seckinger and have two daughters, Nevin Elise Seckinger and Avery Grace Seckinger. Kathy was always thankful for the family that flourished and grew beyond G.W.'s tragedy. She would want thanks to go to Gordon Frank Fail and Joseph Franklin Halter, Sr. who saw Kathy's mother Kathleen through her years after G.W.'s passing.
After her father's passing, Kathy pressed hard to graduate high school early and support her family. In doing so she moved to Savannah, Georgia, and joined the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Georgia. She proudly served as a Courtroom Deputy Clerk for many years making lifelong friends with colleagues in the Court and attorneys appearing before the Court. It was while in Savannah she would bond with her true "best friends forever" Wanda Wendelken Hill and Patsy Cleland Burkhalter. It was through her work with the Court and the help of her friends that she met her husband William Emerson Woodrum, Jr.. Once married, she knew she was being called to leave the Court and Savannah to start a family.
Kathy and William had three children - Daniel Seckinger Woodrum, Sarah Will Woodrum, and Betsy Kate Woodrum - who would give her a daughter-in-law - Caroline Holstun Woodrum - and two son-in-laws - Robert ("Bobby") Anthony James and Ashley Morgan Noggle - respectively. Kathy adored her children and accepted a position with Bulloch Academy where they attended to remain close to them. She loved being at Bulloch Academy and appreciated all of the people she had an opportunity to spend time with there. Once she was blessed with grandchildren - Penelope Layne Woodrum, Adelaide Kate Woodrum, Ellary Flynn James, William Wilkes Noggle, and Archer Ash Noggle - she knew it was time to choose family again and be a fulltime grandmother. In her remaining days, she was "Nana" to those most fortunate.
Kathy and her family would like to provide a special thank you to all those persons who helped her and her family during her extended hospitalization. Without their support, her final months spent with family and friends would not have been possible. While she traveled far from home to battle the illness to which she would ultimately succumb, her heart and mind never left Georgia and the people she loved at home.
Kathy's family will welcome all for a visitation on Monday, January 9, 2023, to be held from 5:00 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. at Thomas C. Strickland and Sons Funeral Home, 2460 Georgia Highway 21, Rincon, Georgia. Her funeral services will commence at 10:30 A.M. on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at Jerusalem Lutheran Church, 2966 Ebenezer Road, Rincon, Georgia, and be presided over by Pastor Rick Johnson. Kathy and her family are honored to have her nephews Dr. Brandon Wayne Harden, William Lawton Brown, John Worth Brown, Daniel Slater Brown, and Billy Dawson Lane and her lifelong friend Samuel Carson Carrigg serving as her pallbearers.
Flowers may be directed to Thomas C. Strickland and Sons Funeral Home, 2460 Georgia Highway 21, Rincon, Georgia 31326. Remembrances may go to Jerusalem Lutheran Church at 2966 Ebenezer Road, Rincon, Georgia 31326.
A graveside burial presided over by Pastor Jeremy Lindsey will take place at 3:30 P.M. on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at Millen Cemetery, North Parker Street, Millen, Georgia.
