Kathy Blackburn Chitwood, age 73, of Alto, Georgia, passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by the love and comfort of her family, on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.

Born on March 24, 1953, Kathy was a daughter of the late Floyd Blackburn and Marjorie Lucille Cook Blackburn. Throughout her life, Kathy possessed a remarkable gift for loving and caring for others, especially children. Her gentle spirit, patient heart, and genuine kindness became a blessing not only to her own family, but also to generations of children and families throughout the community.

To her four precious grandchildren, she was affectionately known as “Meme,” a name that represented one of the greatest joys of her life. To the hundreds of children who passed through the doors of Big Birds Nest Day Care Center, she was lovingly known simply as “Mrs. Kathy.” For 26 years, Kathy proudly owned and operated the day care, creating far more than a place for children to spend their days, she created a home away from home where little ones were welcomed, nurtured, protected, and loved.

Mrs. Kathy had a special way of making every child feel important. Parents entrusted their little ones to her care knowing they would be treated with the same love, patience, and compassion she gave so freely to her own family. Through countless hugs, encouraging words, lessons taught, tears wiped away, scraped knees tended to, and memories made, Mrs. Kathy helped shape the lives of hundreds of children.

Many of those little ones grew up, started families of their own, and never forgot the woman who cared for them during some of the most formative years of their lives. Her influence reached far beyond the walls of Big Birds Nest. The love she poured into those children became part of their lives, their families, and ultimately the generations that followed. Kathy’s life was a beautiful reminder that some of the greatest legacies are built quietly, one child, one family, and one act of love at a time.

Above all else, Kathy treasured her family. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, proud grandmother, beloved sister, and cherished friend. Her greatest joy came from caring for those she loved and spending precious time with them. She gave freely of herself, her time, her heart, and her love and in doing so created a lifetime of beautiful memories that her family will forever hold dear.

In addition to her parents, Kathy was preceded in death by her brother, Joe Blackburn.

Survivors include her beloved husband of 53 years, Ricky Chitwood; sons and daughters-in-law, Chris & Jennifer Chitwood and Ryan & Erica Chitwood; grandchildren, McKenzie Chitwood, Maverick Chitwood, Austin Chitwood, & Walker Chitwood; sister, Ann Blackburn Pritchett; as well as other family members, loved ones, and the countless children and families whose lives were forever touched by “Mrs. Kathy.”

Though her earthly journey has ended, the love Kathy gave so freely remains. “Meme” will live on through the family she cherished, and “Mrs. Kathy” will live on in the hearts of generations of children who were blessed to know and love her. Her love was her legacy, and her memory will forever be cherished.

Funeral services are scheduled for 3:00 p.m. Sunday, August 16, 2026, from the Chapel of McGahee-Griffin & McEntire Funeral Home with Rev. Wayne Sisk officiating. Interment will follow in Level Grove Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 15, 2026, and again from 2:00 p.m. until the service hour on Sunday, August 16, 2026.

Flowers are accepted, or memorials may be made in memory of Mrs. Kathy to the Habersham Humane Society, Inc., P.O. Box 1442, Clarkesville, GA. 30523 or by visiting https://habershamhumane.org

An online guest registry is available for the Chitwood family at www.mcgaheegriffinandmcentire.com

McGahee-Griffin & McEntire Funeral Home of Cornelia, Georgia (706/778-8668) is honored to serve the family of Kathy Blackburn Chitwood.