Born on May 2, 1946, in Byhalia, Mississippi, Missionary Kathryn Rideout was a woman of faith who loved God and His people. She was a nurturer who loved people genuinely and served as a shining example of God’s love to all who met her. To some family members and friends, she was affectionately known as “Kat”, a well-dressed woman of God who was just as beautiful on the inside. She accepted Jesus Christ at an early age at the Greater Mount Sinai Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor W. S. Buford. For more than twenty years, she served as a Sunday School teacher, Superintendent, Church Clerk and as Supervisor of the Women’s Department at New Covenant Holiness Church under the leadership of Pastor Paul Collins. She became a licensed Missionary under the leadership of Bishop W. L. Price. She later united with Straightway Gospel Tabernacle under the leadership of Pastor Gerald K. Smith. On March 4, 2018, she became a member of Christ Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. Gina M. Stewart. She loved her Pastor and church family dearly.

She attended George Washington Carver High School and went on to receive an Associate of Applied Science degree in Information Technology from Southwest Tennessee Community College. Her interest in computers and technology led her to continue her educational journey at the historic University of Memphis. She was a devout fan of the Atlanta Braves and the Dallas Cowboys. Professionally, she worked as a Blender for The Dial Corporation until she retired.

Ministry was an essential part of her life that Mother Rideout valued above all else. She was always willing to do whatever her hands found to do in her local church, and she was quite active in music ministry throughout her lifetime. She served as one of the original Collins Singers, ministering with Gospel great Lula Collins, and she served for six years as the narrator for the Memphis Area Workshop Choir, which was led by her daughter, Pamela Armour. She served as emcee for many Gospel concerts and lovingly stepped in as a mentor, mother figure, and role model to those whom God assigned to her.

Mother Rideout went to be with her Heavenly Father on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, at Methodist North Hospital. She was preceded in death by her mother, Bernice Brown; her grandmother, Elizabeth Collins Brown; her grandfather, Churner Brown; two sisters, Alameda Gatewood-Smith and Earnestine Gatewood-Sykes; and five brothers: Willie Gatewood, Arthur Gatewood, Elvin Gatewood, Sr., Vannie Gatewood, and Terry Gatewood.

To cherish her memory, she leaves her beloved daughter, Pamela D. Armour; two granddaughters: Angelica D. Sykes and Ashley Tyler; one godson, Pastor Elliot Tyler; eight siblings: Velva Lee Gatewood, Lillie Brown, John Gatewood, Henry Gatewood, Winford (Betty) Neely, Alvin(Bonnie) Pritchard, Wallace (Brenda) Gatewood, and Loretta (Wade) Gates; four goddaughters: Zoya Evans, Shannelle Buford, Crystal Bankhead-Macklin, and Causaundra Thomas; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and close friends who will celebrate her legacy forever.

The family will receive friends Thursday, September 28, 2023 from 4:00pm-6:00pm at RS Lewis & Sons 3651 Austin Peay Hwy, Memphis, TN 38128. Celebration of Life will be Friday, September 29, 2023 12:00 noon at Christ Missionary Baptist 480 S Pkwy E, Memphis, TN 38106

Internment will be in New Park Cemetery, 4536 Horn Lake Road, Memphis, TN 38109