Catherine “Kitty” McKee Darnell, 93, wife of the late James Southey Darnell, passed away Friday, November 28, 2025 at Harrison Nursing & Rehabilitation in Cynthiana.

Born August 16, 1932 in Harrison County to the late George Leslie & Catherine Conrad McKee, she was a 1950 graduate of Cynthiana High School, a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University, and worked for many years as a nurse for both Dr. Smiser and Dr. Castillo. A longtime member of Broadwell Presbyterian Church, she was most recently a member of Cynthiana Presbyterian Church. Kitty loved reading and spending time with her children and grandchildren. The consummate homemaker, she enjoyed sewing and cooking; Kitty was best known for her pulled candy and her “world famous” coffee cake.  

Surviving are 4 sons: James Southey “Jim” (Tonya) Darnell, Jr. of Louisville, Stephen Louis Darnell of Bargersville, Indiana, and George McKee “Mac” (Jennifer) Darnell & Robert Leslie (Sabrina) Darnell, both of Harrison County; her sister, Connie McKee Robertson of Knoxville, Tennessee; 6 grandchildren: Catherine Elaine “Cate” Darnell (Zack Whitaker), Jason Lee (Brian) Darnell, Amber Paige Darnell (Jordan Allison), Clay McKee (Taylor) Darnell, Susan Brooke (Cam) McClellen & Joshua Conrad Darnell; and several great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, December 3rd at Drake-Whaley-McCarty Funeral Home with burial to follow in Battle Grove Cemetery.

Casketbearers will be Steve Lang, James H. Martin, John Robertson, Rick Robertson, Will Smith and Aaron Welsh.

Kitty’s grandchildren and their spouses will serve as honorary bearers.

Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. Wednesday until the time of service.