Biography: Katherine Watts Ladd died in Little Rock on Saturday, October 30, 2021 at the age of 100.  She was born in Camden, Arkansas on July 25, 1921 to Josephine Taylor Watts and Thomas Evans Watts.  She spent childhood summers with family and friends on nearby Mustin Lake, which remained Kay’s lifelong favorite destination.  Katherine was Camden’s class valedictorian at her junior and senior high school graduations.  When World War II interrupted her studies at Baylor University, Kay moved west to San Francisco and worked for the war effort at the Port of Embarkation.  After World War II ended, Kay moved east to Washington, DC.
Eventually her love for Thomas Ladd led Kay home to Arkansas.  They met in 1936, married in 1947, and moved to Little Rock in 1953.  Kay spent working years as legal secretary in downtown Little Rock; she spent retirement years as active church member and avid bridge player.  Throughout ten decades, Kay’s priorities were always her faith, family, and friends:  she was devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.  Kay was also caring sister, aunt, cousin, friend, and longtime Bible teacher in her local church.
Kay was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister and brother.  She is survived by her only child, Timothy, and his wife, Kimberly, of West Palm Beach, Florida; her only grandchild, Alana Ladd of Calistoga, California; as well as three generations of her beloved “Watts Happening” nieces and nephews.  Graveside service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, November 22, 2021 at Little Rock National Cemetery, 2523 Springer Boulevard.  Memorials may be made to Little Rock’s Immanuel Baptist Church, or to Camden’s Ouachita County Historical Society.