Katherine Kat Dowd Dawkins 83 of Newberry died Monday September 12 2011 at her residence. She was born on January 25 1928 in Prosperity the daughter of the late Colie L. and Mary Ellen Taylor Dowd. Kat was employed with Bellsouth as a service representative until her retirement. She was a very active member of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Newberry where she served roles in many groups and committees of the church. She was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America and a former president of the Edisto Council of the Telephone Pioneers of America. She was a former member and Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star and served as the owner and operator of the Happy Travelers Group. She was also one of the original ambassadors for the Newberry Opera House. Kat is survived by her uncle and aunt Ralph E. and Betty Taylor of Griffin GA; two brothers in law Billy Dawkins and wife Francis and James Dawkins and wife Allene all of Prosperity; and a number of nieces nephews and cousins. In addition to her parents she was predeceased by her husband Harry Wendell Wink Dawkins. Funeral services were conducted at 11:00 A.M. Saturday at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer by the Rev. Dr. David Seymour. Interment did follow at Newberry Memorial Gardens. The family did receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Friday at the Whitaker Funeral Home in Newberry. Honorary pallbearers were the BellSouth Retirees of the Newberry Division and the Happy Travelers Group. The family requests memorials to be made to the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer 1515 Boundary St. Newberry SC 29108 or to a charity of your choice. The family expresses a sincere thank you to Palmetto Hospice. On line condolences may be sent to the family at www.whitakerfuneralhome.com. Whitaker Funeral Home of Newberry is assisting the family.