Kathryn Sue Blakeman Flatt, 63, born Jan. 26, 1962, in Des Plaines, Illinois, to Kelly and Shirley Blakeman, passed away at her home, in Sparta, on April 2, 2025, after a long battle with cancer.
Kathryn was a 1980 graduate of White County High School where she played on the Warriorette basketball team and ran cross-country and track. She attended Martin Methodist on an academic scholarship. She graduated from Tennessee Tech University, in 1985, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in accounting.
While at Tennessee Tech, she began working in the accounting department of Wagner Lighting, in Sparta. Even though it wasn’t easy as a single mom, she effortlessly balanced motherhood, work, and school. This would be a theme of her life. When adversity was stacked against her, Kathryn would simply go forward and overcome. Even when she was young, her loving, yet fierce and fearless, nature was easy to see. She never worried about the odds that were against her. She just continued to take the next step forward, relying on her faith in Jesus Christ as her Savior and her God-given gift of determination. Through a strong work ethic and a heart full of integrity, she was promoted to plant accountant within a few short years.
After that, she left the familiarity of the accounting department and transferred into the production control department where she became the facility’s materials manager. While in this supply chain role that included scheduling, purchasing and inventory management, Kathryn became an active member in the local chapter of American Production and Inventory Control Society or APICS. She was CPIM certified and became the leader of the Upper Cumberland APICS chapter.
After 20-plus years at Wagner/Federal Mogul, Kathryn was ready for a challenge, so she decided to change organizations, giving her new opportunities to grow her career. A few years later, in 2012, her fearless attitude led her to Tutco, in Cookeville, where she was hired as the materials manager for the local division. Later she was promoted to director of procurement for HSG Smiths Group (Tutco’s parent company).
Known to her family as “Beannie” from a young age, while she enjoyed her career, she took immense pride in her large, loving family. She enjoyed celebrating holiday gatherings, birthday parties, and special occasions with all of them. Kathryn, nicknamed by her grandson, Thomas, as “Boo,” loved traveling and visiting the beach anytime she had the opportunity. One of the things that brought her great joy was searching for hours for seashells on the beach. Also bringing her great pride and happiness was supporting her children and grandchildren at their academic and athletic endeavors. Kathryn also enjoyed visiting their family cabin and going on adventurous Jeep rides.
She was preceded in death by her father, Kelly Blakeman.
Kathryn is survived by her mother, Shirley Blakeman, of Sparta.
She is also survived by her husband of 28 years, Jim Flatt, of Sparta; her three daughters, Terri Michelle Brock (Ronnie), of Sparta, Katelyn Amber Webb, of Sparta, Stormi Flatt, of Sparta; one son, Kane Flatt, of Sparta; one stepson, Joey Flatt, of Sparta; three sisters, Cynthia Hale (Gaines), Kelley Haston (Donald), Susan Ross (Terry), all of Sparta; eight grandchildren, Thomas Brock, Lily Brock, Livie Brock, Zachary Flatt, Alyssa Flatt, Taylor Harp (Tyler), Mackenzie McCulley, all of Sparta, Reagan Flatt, of Monterrey, California; and one great-grandson, Callum Harp, of Sparta.
Funeral service was 2 p.m., April 5, 2025, at Oak Lawn Funeral Home, with burial in Oak Lawn Cemetery. Pastor Donald Haston officiated.
Serving the family as pallbearers were Alec Haston, Paden Haston, Casey Hale, Connor Hale, Zachary Flatt, and Thomas Brock.
Oak Lawn Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
