Katherine (Kay) Heath Whitfield, 82, died February 23, 2026, at Lynchburg General Hospital.

Born October 5, 1943, she was the only child of John Herman Whitfield (1906–1976) and Katherine Hatch Whitfield (1907–1993).

Kay grew up in Farmville and had many amusing memories of her childhood in the Avenues.

She was a 1962 graduate of Prince Edward Academy, where she wrote for the school paper and was active in the National Society of the Children of the American Revolution.

Kay earned her bachelor’s degree from the College of William & Mary in 1966 and began her career in education in Virginia Beach. In 1974, she graduated from Longwood College with a master’s in education.

Kay taught kindergarten and first grade at Hermitage Elementary School for more than 30 years. She was named Teacher of the Year by Virginia Beach City Public Schools in 1992. While living in Virginia Beach, Kay volunteered with The King’s Daughters, supporting the work of Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters in Norfolk.

Following her retirement in the early 1990s, Kay returned to Farmville, where she remained active in community life.

She was a member of the Judith Randolph–Longwood Chapter of the DAR, the Third Thursday Book Club, and the Farmville–Prince Edward Historical Society, serving for many years as its president. An avid reader, Kay, was instrumental in fundraising efforts to establish the Farmville–Prince Edward Community Library and was a lifelong parishioner of Farmville Presbyterian Church.

Survivors include her cousins: Webb Hatch of Sandbridge, Virginia; Ann Christian Witt of Orange Park, Florida; Tyler Hatch of Ashland, Virginia; and Tommy Hatch of Colorado.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 1:00PM in the Farmville Presbyterian Church.

A memorial service will be held at Farmville Presbyterian Church on March 14th at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Kay’s honor to Farmville Presbyterian Church.