Kathleen Joy Watkins Moffett, age 67, of Joplin, was welcomed home by God on Good Friday evening, April 18, 2014. Born in Joplin to Charles N. and Lucille Doty Watkins, Kathleen graduated from Joplin High School in 1964. She attended the University of Missouri at Kansas City and graduated with the first baccalaureate class of Missouri Southern State College (now MSSU) in 1969, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Drama and Music. She was active in community theater and music groups, sang professionally, and participated in a USO tour to Iceland as a vocalist.
Kathleen dedicated her life to God in 1978, and served in music, youth, women’s and other ministries for the remainder of her life. Her beautiful voice blessed countless people in worship, and she has been a beacon for many with her steadfast and unassuming faith. In addition to her membership in churches in the Wichita and Joplin areas, she was an Oblate of St. Scholastica, the Benedictine women’s community in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
In 1979, Kathleen married her best friend and soul mate, Leonard Moffett, in Wichita, Kansas, and together they participated in and served congregations in Wichita and later in Joplin, where they returned to care for her father until his death.
Kathleen found her life’s work in helping children and families. She worked for the Jasper County office of the Division of Family Services for the past 18 years, serving as an alternative care supervisor for the Children’s Division for the past several years.
She has been a member of the MSSU Choral Society for many years. She was vice-president of the board of NAMI Joplin (National Alliance for Mental Illness), coordinated NAMI’s annual walkathon and taught in its Family to Family support program for families of people suffering from mental illness.
Kathleen’s parents, Charles and Lucille Watkins, preceded her in death.
She is survived by her husband, Leonard Moffett, of the home, and by her sister, Mary (Steve) Blankenship, of Salem, Oregon, two nephews, John (Cynthia) Stinson and Charles (Josie) Blankenship, also of Salem, Oregon, cousins Tom (Barbara) Watkins, of Joplin, Steven (Nancy) Durall of Guthrie, Oklahoma, Jane Hope, Ellen Doty and Teresa Read of Salem, Oregon, 4 great- nieces and nephews, and many friends.
Visitation will be at Parker Mortuary Chapel from 6 to 7 PM this Friday, April 25, and services, also at Parker Mortuary Chapel, at 2 PM on Saturday, April 26. Interment will be at Osborne Memorial Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to NAMI Joplin, 219 W. 2nd Street. P.O. Box 4571, Joplin, MO 64803.
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