City Personals

Have you ever had that one friend who pops into town occasionally, has wild tales of grandeur then poof, they go back home? That was the definition of Katy Seale (Barbour).

Katy was the daughter of Bubba Seale and niece to Margaret Ann and Ben. I do not remember Bubba ever being married, so all of us just knew Katy lived with her mama and came out to visit Bubba.

Katy did not speak like the rest of us in that she had a certain je ne sais quoi about her. We were all just small town teens and she was big city. She always spoke of her wonderful adventures to anyone who would listen. I remember clear as a bell one weekend she was out here and a song by Cheap Trick came on the radio. She went on and on about following their tour and how amazing Robin Zander truly was in person, a musical genius she would say.

Katy had a love of music unlike anybody I have ever known. If she was not talking, she was humming or softly singing. She was a storyteller, writing verses for songs. She lived the majority of her adulthood in Nashville, Tenn., submerging herself into the amazing musical culture Nashville offered.

Katy’s visits to Holly Springs were sporadic as we all became adults. When she did blow through for visits, she would make the most of them, especially spending precious moments with Margaret Ann and Norbert. After Norbert died, Katy made a conscious effort to come down here more often checking in on her beloved Aunt.

As we aged, loved ones slowly left us. Not a funeral was had where Katy did not drive to town to attend to show her support. Once, she even brought her beloved four legged baby.

She never once failed to ask me how my children were no matter where I saw her. She truly did think of everyone.

To be honest, I always thought Katy to be a bit kooky. Looking back now, I am not so sure she was not just a dreamer floating through this life. Truly. Someone who firmly believed in the butterflies, rainbows and unicorns. We all laugh about those sorts of things waiting for the other shoe to drop. Katy never thought there was another shoe, she believed in the good, the kind, the loving. I wish I had another day to really and truly appreciate her kookiness with her.

Katy married Chris Barbour, who she would often say was the absolute love of her life. He appeared in Holly Springs several times throughout the years and was a beautiful compliment to her. One hundred percent the yin to her yang.

January 12, 2025, Katy succumbed to injuries sustained in a single car accident not far from her Mother’s hometown of Lucedale. Pat, her mother, left this earth six days later. A service was held for both in the Vernal Presbyterian Church, which is also where Katy married. Katy and Pat now reside in the McKay Family Cemetery which is also where Katy’s brother, Bradford, is buried.

James Brooks and Jackson Smith were named to the University of Mississippi’s Chancellor’s Honor Roll.