Knoxville, Tennessee - Knoxville, Tennessee - Katharine Cynthia Gail Ravenholt (formerly Helms) age 72, formerly of Dalton, Georgia, passed away peacefully on September 6, 2025, in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Katharine lived in Dalton for 30 years before moving to Knoxville, Tennessee. Though she spent her later years there, Dalton was always home — the place where she raised her family, built lasting friendships, and where her funeral Mass will be held in celebration of her life.

She was born in Beaufort, South Carolina, the daughter of the late Lt. Col. Keith H. Helms, United States Marine Corps, and Fern S. Helms of Atlanta, Georgia.

She is survived by her husband, Jed Ravenholt of Knoxville; her daughter, Juliana Breithaupt (Scott) of Rome, Georgia; her sons, Anders Ravenholt (Joanna) and Nicholas Ravenholt, both of Ooltewah, Tennessee; her beloved granddaughter, Emma Breithaupt of Rome, Georgia; and her sister, Andrea Helms (Alan Grant) of Veracruz, Mexico.

Katharine was a woman of deep faith, quiet strength, and generous spirit. A forever UGA fan, she attended the University of Georgia as a music major and proud member of the Redcoat Marching Band — a foundation that reflected her lifelong love of music, learning, and tradition.

She found joy in creating beauty — whether in the warmth of her home, her art, or acts of service that touched many. Known for her quick wit and insatiable curiosity, she loved to learn and explore new ideas. Whether camping with her family, traveling, or riding on the back of a motorcycle beside her husband, she carried an adventurous spirit and a lifelong desire to see and experience as much of the world as she could.

In Dalton, she was deeply engaged in the life of St. Joseph's Catholic Church: she founded the children's choir, sang in the Sunday folk group and Sunday Choir, and in coordination with the Archdiocese of Atlanta, established a missionary music program in Antigua and Barbuda.

In the community, she was an active member of the Dalton Newcomers Club, warmly welcoming new families and staying connected as an alum for many years. She also served as a Brownie and Girl Scout leader, a classroom volunteer and substitute teacher, and cheered proudly at DHS Friday-night band shows and competitions.

Known for her energy and creativity, she balanced motherhood with a variety of side endeavors that kept her busy, social, and engaged with her community.

Later in life, she became a certified genealogist through the Institute of Genealogy & Historical Research at Samford University and was a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), honoring her family's heritage through education, preservation, and service.

Funeral services will be held in Dalton, Georgia, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 968 Haig Mill Lake Road, on Friday, November 7, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Rockefeller Cancer Institute, A.M. & M. Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas.