Catherine Ada McArtor, 90, of Benton, Kentucky, passed away on September 17, 2026, at Calvert City Nursing and Rehabilitation.
Catherine was born on October 26, 1935, in Zirconia, North Carolina, to the late Michael Justice Hester, Sr. and Ada Merdel Nix Hester. She lived a full and meaningful life, rooted in her deep faith and devoted love for her family. Catherine also loved travel and adventure, which allowed her to experience life in many parts of the country. Over the years, she called places such as Georgetown, Kentucky; Longmont, Colorado; Spring Hill, Tennessee; West Palm Beach, Titusville, Florida; Huntsville, Alabama; and many other communities home. Each place became part of the story of a life filled with wonderful experiences, cherished memories, and love.
After graduating from high school, Catherine attended Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, where she earned her bachelor’s degree. Following college, she worked in the Development Office of Georgetown College and spent many years working as a social worker for the State of Kentucky. Catherine and her husband shared a love for traveling and enjoyed taking their motorhome on new adventures together. They also enjoyed square dancing and were members of the Happy Squares in Frankfort, Kentucky.
Catherine had a creative and artistic spirit. She enjoyed singing, writing poetry, painting, and especially crocheting. She took great joy in making beautiful afghans to share with her friends and family, giving them something handmade that carried a special piece of her heart.
Faith was always an important part of Catherine’s life. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Springhill, Tennessee, but no matter where life took her, she always found a local Baptist church where she could worship and remain connected to her faith. Outside of church, Catherine enjoyed spending time with her friends and the ladies of the Red Hat Society.
More than anything, Catherine cherished her family. She took great pride in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and treasured every opportunity to be near them. Her love for her family was so strong that she even moved to be closer to them, allowing her to share more of life’s special moments with those she loved most.
She is survived by her daughter, Beverly “Bev” Kassis (Dan) of Dickson, Tennessee; two sons, Jerry McArtor (Cindy) of Benton, Kentucky and Tony McArtor of Murray, Kentucky; seven grandchildren, Ian McArtor (Becky), Cory McArtor (Adah), Brandon McArtor (Gabrie), Kayla Trani (Patrick), Trevor Kassis, Aidan Kassis, and Brenna Kassis; and eleven great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Robert Brown McArtor; her sister, Virginia Hester; her brother, Michael Hester, Jr.; and her parents, Michael Hester, Sr. and Ada Merdel Hester.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to the Alzheimer’s Association, 6100 Dutchman Ln, Suite 401, Louisville, Kentucky 40205, or to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 42040, Oklahoma City, OK 73123 www.donate.cancer.org.
Filbeck-Cann Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
There are no local services being held.
Visitation will be held from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Herman H. Lohmeyer in Springfield, Missouri.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 PM on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home in Springfield, Missouri. Burial will follow at Hazelwood Cemetery.
To share a memory or leave a message for the family, please visit Catherine's Tribute Wall at www.filbeckandcann.com.
