Kate Carnes Headrick

Kate Carnes Headrick (Maw Hatfield), age 92, passed away Friday night, August 19, 2011 at Blount Memorial Hospital. She was a member of Bethel Baptist Church in Townsend, TN. She was born premature on March 2, 1919, to Julie and Ernest Carnes on Walden Creek (Chinky Pin) in Sevier County, TN. Kate has not known a stranger since that day. She attended school in Little Greenbriar, Elkmont, Wearwood in Wears Valley, Idaho, and graduated from Phi Beta Phi School in 1937 in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Loved by everyone, Kate was employed the last 25 years of her long working career as an entertainer for Dollywood. Here she was known as “Maw,�? or “Maw Hatfield.�? She was known to carry a gun on her hip, blow a foxhorn, and do a little “buck dance�? as she worked the crowds in Dollywood. Many a picnic, a long wait in line for a special event, or a stroll through the Park was made a little brighter by her antics. She says “not everyone comes to Dollywood to see Dolly Parton�?…translation, many come to see “Maw.�? Yes, she was employed at Dollywood, but loved the energy and happiness she received from the people she met and worked with. Her job was the ideal, receiving as much as she gave. She retired in 2002 at the age of 83. One of the best descriptions of Kate comes from her own words. Several years ago she had thought of retiring and Dollywood people wanted her to go with them to find a replacement. When they returned from that trip unable to find anyone suitable, she said, “I guess I’m an endangered species.�? Truly there is no one like Kate, and the love and admiration of everyone proves it. Married to Howard Headrick on July 4, 1940, she has lived in Townsend all of her adult life. She was preceded in death by her husband Howard and sister Meryl King. Her family includes three sons, Brent Headrick and companion Billie, Don Headrick and wife Sandy, and Lowell Headrick and wife Diane; grandchildren, Katie Jo O’Brien and husband Jim, Stephen Headrick and wife Jaena, Emily Headrick Johnson and husband Jerry, Robert Headrick and wife Melinda, and Michael Headrick and wife Kerma; great-grandchildren, Trina and Julie O’Brien, Cory and Garrett Headrick, Grace, Chatham, Sebastain, and Lillian Headrick, and Thomas and Sarah Headrick. Family will receive friends on Monday, August 22, 2011 from 5:00pm until 7:30pm in Smith’s Trinity Chapel. The funeral service will follow at 7:30pm with Pastor Steve Linginfelter officiating.The family suggests memorial donations be made to Bethel Baptist Church, 132 Bethel Church Road, Townsend TN, 37882. Family and friends will assemble at 11:00am on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 at Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery for the interment. Arrangements by Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, TN. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Kate Carnes Headrick please visit our Sympathy Store.