Katie Lorene Rhoads age 62 of La Marque passed away Saturday January 21, 2023 at UTMB in League City. Funeral services are 10:00am Saturday January 28, 2023 at St. John's Baptist Church, Reverend Louis Simpson officiating. Burial will follow at Lacy Cemetery in Groveton, Texas under the direction of Carnes Brothers Funeral Home. A visitation and wake will be held from 5:00pm until 8:00pm on Friday January 27, 2023 at the church.

On February 06, 1960, Katie was the fifth daughter born to Willie B. and Mamie Lee Horace Rhoads. On Saturday, January 21, 2023, she transitioned from labor to reward for her selflessness and faithfulness to Christ and others.

Katie was born in Trinity County, where she accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized by Rev. Cleophus Williams into New Hope Baptist Church. She graduated from Groveton High School in 1978 and upon graduating, attended Jarvis Christian College majoring in Special Education. After receiving her Bachelors of Science in Special Education in 1982, Katie began her teaching career at Groveton Elementary in 1984 and also gave birth to her one and only child KaTrina Lorene Williams Nichols. In 1987, she moved to Galveston and became a member of St. John Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Lemuel L. Stinson and remained under the pastorship of Pastor Louis Simpson, Jr. where she was active in the Young Adult Choir, Women's Ministry and Monday night tutoring sessions.   In 1987, Katie also began teaching in Galveston, TX at L.A. Morgan Elementary.  In 2001 she accepted and received the Teacher of the Year Award, and retired as her health began to fail. When she retired, she continued her passion for reading and writing. Katie became a children's book author writing and publishing six books Zy'Riah Not Your Regular Princess; Zy'Riah and a Sprinkle of Love; Timothy Turtle Takes a Tumble; Just for Me; Lizzy on the Inside; and If you Ever Meet a Gator , and started a retiree book club Circle of Friends.

She was preceded in death by parents: Willie B. Rhoads, Mamie Lee Rhoads; siblings: Vernon Horace, Faye Rhoads Dixon, John Harvey Rhoads and Jo Nell Bailey; nieces: LaTasha Norman and Xranda Shelise Rhoads.

She leaves to cherish her memories: Her daughter KaTrina Williams Nichols (Damien) 1 brother: Herman Norman (Thena); 5 sisters: Debra Worthen; Florene Wyatt; Janie Lee (Curtis); Janis Hartsfield (Danny); Essie Faggett (David). A sister-in-law, Marcell Horace. Special friends, Barbra Hickman, Sharon Simmons, Brenda Walker, Julia and Cora Mack; JCC friends and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, church family and dear friends. Surrogate grandchildren Demi and Donovan Broxton.