Katherine Blanche Routh Metz

Katherine Blanche Routh Metz, 102, long-time resident of Abilene, passed away on November 30 in Abilene.

Katherine was born near Ballinger to Clarence and Blanche Routh on December 3, 1923, the fifth of seven children. She graduated from Ballinger High School and went on to earn an Associates Degree from Draughons Business College in Abilene. Katherine married Bobbie Joe Duke in Ballinger after high school; he was tragically lost in WWII in 1944. She later married George A. Metz and they lived in Abilene for many years. Katherine valued service to others above herself. She volunteered with Amvets, the Iris Society of Abilene, serving on the scholarship committee, and was a long-time member of the Abilene Women's Bowling Association. For years she sewed baby quilts for the West Texas Rehabilitation Center auction. Throughout her life she was quick to help friends, family and strangers in need and that was her greatest achievement. In her final year of life she was inducted into the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, even though we know she was a daughter of Texas her whole life.

Katherine was preceded in death by her parents and husbands, brothers Harold and Sam, and sisters Helen, Jane, Margaret and Elizabeth. She is survived by three daughters, Bobbie Duke, Marilyn Pearce and Sandra Lindstrom and husband Greg. Also her grandchildren Cassandra Pearce (Carlos Villarreal), Zachary Pearce, Kiel Eulberg and Ava Playle (Ian Playle). Her last years of life were blessed by two great-grandchildren Roman Villarreal Pearce and Audrey Ruth Playle. Her many nieces and nephews also brought her great joy in life as her family was everything.

Honored pallbearers are Greg Lindstrom, Zachary Pearce, Kiel Eulberg, Steve Routh, Clyde McMinn, and Carlos Villarreal.

Memorials may be given to the West Texas Rehabilitation Center in Katherine's name. The family of Katherine Metz wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the many doctors, nurses, pharmacists and healthcare workers who helped her to live a long and wonderful life.

 A brief visitation will be held Saturday December 6 from 9-9:30 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home at 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene. Katherine will be buried at the Old Runnels Cemetery outside Ballinger near a multitude of relatives whom she loved dearly in life, with services under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, officiated by her niece Rev. Lana Russell at 11:30 a.m. December 6, followed by a celebration of life at The Rock Hotel in Winters.