Katherine Farmer Rumsey

Katherine Farmer Rumsey, 91 of Toccoa GA passed away peacefully in her home early Sunday morning, December 8, 2024. 

Born on January 3, 1934, in the Currahee Mountain Community of Stephens County, Katherine was the firstborn child of the late Seaborn Wright Farmer and Isabel Kelly Farmer. From a young age, Katherine showed remarkable musical talent. At age 10, she began formal piano lessons, and by age 12, she was playing for Vacation Bible School programs in many of the Toccoa area Baptist churches. At age 15, she was hired by the American Broadcasting Company and performed regularly on the piano and singing with groups on their radio show. By 16, she became the full-time pianist for her home church, Zebulon Baptist Church. 

Katherine met her husband, the late Watson Rumsey, through her musical work with ABC. Their relationship story begins when she invited Watson, a fellow student at Stephens County High School, to share in the role of accompanist for ABC programs and singing groups. They began to ride together to rehearsals and their love story unfolded. They married on February 2, 1951, while Katherine was still a high school senior, as Watson prepared to leave for U.S. Navy boot camp. After graduation, she followed Watson during his Navy service, creating an exciting life together whenever he was on the mainland as he served during the Korean War. 

Upon returning to Toccoa, after Watson’s service in the Navy, Katherine and Watson built their lives on serving in their community, loving their families, and eventually having and raising their two daughters, Vanessa Rumsey Corning and Tina Rumsey Hewitt. Katherine and Watson instilled within their daughters a deep love for Jesus, music, and loving others. The foursomes began singing and making music together when the girls were very young, and were featured in many services across Stephens County while also serving in their local church. 

Katherine’s professional life included roles at the Bank of Toccoa, Wright’s Manufacturing Company, Merritt’s Elementary School where she was an Office Administrator, and Liberty Elementary School where she was a Media Specialist. Katherine retired from the Stephens County School system in 1997. Beyond her professional work, Katherine devoted her life to community and church service. She was a founding member of Glad Tidings Assembly of God, now Encounter Church. There, she and Watson, along with Reverend George Samuelson, developed the children’s bus ministry which grew the church and children’s programs quickly. They faithfully drove their bus route for over a decade and many kids came to Christ because of their dedication. Katherine faithfully taught the Junior Sunday School class at Glad Tidings for over thirty years as well as serving faithfully as the pianist, Women’s Ministry President, Missionettes teacher and coordinator, food ministry coordinator and assistant to the director of music for many years. 

A two-time cancer survivor, Katherine was a source of hope and inspiration for others, volunteering with the Reach for Recovery program to visit, encourage and support fellow cancer patients and future survivors. Throughout her retirement years, Katherine stayed active in her community and her volunteer work. She continued in the role of primary pianist for her church, assisted and played piano for the Sunday services at the Toccoa Nursing Center, redesigned and maintained the landscaping at Glad Tidings Church, and continued to provide music for special events. During the COVID-19 pandemic, at 86 years of age, Katherine moved temporarily to SC where she invited groups of people into her home for special singings and also played piano for special services held. She brought joy to so many through her volunteering as a musician.   

Those who knew Katherine well would quickly tell you about her sharp wit and wonderful sense of humor. She loved nothing more than spending time with her family, often creating memories with spontaneous kitchen dance parties. Several of her grandchildren affectionately called her the “funny grandma,” a title she secretly enjoyed. Katherine also had a desire for ensuring everyone around her felt cared for, prioritizing their needs above her own without a second thought.  

Katherine’s life is a testament to faith, resilience, and love. She is survived by her two daughters and sons-in-law, Vanessa Rumsey Corning and John Corning of the home, Tina Rumsey Hewitt and Ray Hewitt of Chapin SC; grandchildren Erin Oxley, Anna Oxley Krumenacker(Aaron), Karmen Hewitt Smith(Tyler), Katelyn Hewitt Stonehouse (Zach), Isaac Hewitt, and Isabella Hewitt; great- grandchildren, Avery Krumenacker, Luke Krumenacker, Levi Krumenacker, and Sadie Mae Krumenacker; two brothers and sister-in-law, Jerry Farmer (Gayzelle) and Lenox Farmer; a number of nieces and nephews.

Katherine was preceded in death by her loving husband of 67 years, Watson Rumsey, parents Seaborn and Isabel Kelly Farmer, brother, Kenneth Farmer and sister, Helen Farmer Westmoreland.

Her family and friends will forever cherish her legacy of love, music, fun, and unwavering faith and may her music live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to hear her play.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at Encounter Church, 243 Collier Road Toccoa, Georgia at 1 p.m. with Rev. Mark Anthony, Rev. David Braxton and Rev. Ray Hewitt (son-in-law of Katherine) officiating.  Grandsons will serve as pallbearers, Aaron Krumenacker, Trey Dunson, Zachary Stonehouse, Tyler Smith, Isaac Hewitt and Avery Krumenacker

The family will receive friends at the church starting at 11:30 a.m. until the service time.  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.acree-davisfh.com.

Entombment will follow at Stephens Memorial Mausoleum with the Acree-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory in charge of the arrangements for Mrs. Katherine Farmer Rumsey.