Kathryn Jackson Kaiser

1 Corinthians 13:13

And now these three remain: Faith, Hope, and Love. But the greatest of these is Love.

Kathryn Jackson Kaiser, 89, of Lakeland, FL, left us to be with her beloved Tom on January 9, 2026, from complications related to Alzheimer’s Disease. She was born on February 3, 1936, in Scott County, TN and is preceded in death by her husband Thomas D. Kaiser; parents Howard and Frances Jackson; and her brother Kenneth Jackson.

She grew up in Lake City, TN, graduating from Lake City High School in 1954 and took special interest in church, choir, and cheerleading. She was her Cheer Team Captain and voted "Most Popular" in her senior class. Following graduation, she married the love of her life and so began a 49-year adventure with the man she once described as not only her best friend, but as her true North.

On November 10,1957 she and Tom welcomed their first child; Lisa Lynette, soon followed on December 29,1961 with son Kenton Thomas, and then on December 14,1963 by son Mark David. Establishing themselves in Lakeland, FL Tom began to build his businesses while Kathryn took on the much more difficult task of raising their children and running the household.

After choosing First Baptist as their spiritual home, Kathryn took on the responsibility of inculcating her Love of Christ and his teachings into the daily life and routines of her children. Kathryn made sure that the Kaiser brood was present and accounted for at Sunday morning services, Sunday evening services, and Wednesday Night Supper; followed by Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting. No exceptions, no excuses. She would have done credit to a Prussian Drill Sergeant!

While involvement and understanding of the spiritual realm were first and foremost in Kathryn’s mind, the secular world was not to be ignored. She insisted on her children visiting every single US state, and by the time of Mark’s high school graduation all 48 of the contiguous states had been experienced. As an experienced pianist, Granny Kat also made sure that all of her children were exposed to music, theater, and the arts. Musical artists as varied as Chopin, Mendel, Shostakovich, Merle Haggard, and Willie Nelson were to be listened to and appreciated. Membership in and attendance were mandatory at Tuesday evening Cotillion at the Lakeland Garden Club. There were dance steps to be mastered such as the Foxtrot, the Waltz, and the Rumba. Proper English language elocution was stressed, and common East Tennessee terminology such as ain’t and winder instead of window were strictly verboten. As a classic Southern Matriarch, she had standards of behavior that had to be followed and that she insisted upon.

Kathryn always made sure to make time for herself because she understood that if she wasn’t healthy, she couldn’t very well be an effective mother/grandmother/great-grandmother. She loved growing roses and had a strain named for her: Granny Kat’s Delight. She was a member of the Lakeland Garden Club, the Baptist Women’s Missionary Union, Adult Sunday School Director, FBC Volunteer, and a 50-year member of Lakeland Jr. Sorosis. She absolutely adored the Florida Gators and with her husband Tom, was a major financial supporter of the University of Florida.

In addition to her children and their spouses Lisa Kaiser-Hickey (Mike), Tom Kaiser (Wandi), and Mark Kaiser (Jackie), Miss Kathryn is survived by her eleven grandchildren and their spouses: Kristin Pennewell (Mark), Keeghan Hickey (Kayla), Stephanie Davies (Matt), Jacob Sonderegger, Lane Hickey (Derrick), Hunter Kaiser, Brooke Kaiser, Kenton Kaiser, Jackson Hickey, Hannah Kaiser, Hope Kaiser: and her six great-grandchildren: Mason, Holden, Blake, Liana, Atticus, Colton, Knox, Kate, Cole, and Case.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 10:00 am at Heath Funeral Chapel, with services to follow at 11:00 am. Interment will take place at Oak Hill Burial Park, 4620 US Hwy 98 S, Lakeland, FL 33812