Kathrine B. Presley

Katherine Bailey Presley, wife of the late Dr. John W. Presley, died peacefully at home on January 23, 2026. She was born on October 13, 1936, and raised in Augusta. She was a 1954 graduate of the Academy of Richmond Conty. Katherine worked for many years at then Augusta College before leaving to accompany her husband on his journey through academia, making homes in Pennsylvania, New York, Michigan and Illinois. After John's retirement from higher education, they returned to Augusta to reestablish connections with friends and enjoy retired life. In addition to her husband, Katherine was preceded in death by her parents Harry Bell and Frances Sherman Bailey, her brother and his wife, Harry B. and Barbara Bailey, her brother-in-law, William R Richardson and her son-in-law, Karl H. Smeak.

She is survived by her daughters, Katherine H. Sweeney (Rodger) and Mary Gray Smeak. Her grandchildren, Kevin W. Sweeney (Blair), K. Dylan Smeak and Shelby S. Larkin (Morgan), her great grandsons, Harrison W. Sweeney and Sheppard M. Larkin and her sister, Mary B. Richardson.

The family extends special thanks to Katherine's dedicated caregivers, Margaret Parks, Latiasha Willingham, Courtney Merriweather, Shakeisha Dunn and Emmily Dunn. 

If desired, donations in Katherine's memory may be made to The First Tee of Augusta, Westobou Augusta or The Augusta Humane Society.

No formal services have been planned at this time.