Onaye Farrish

Kathryn Onaye Readenour Farrish, 69, of Batesville, MS passed away on March 6, 2025, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi in Oxford, MS. She was born on August 11, 1955, in Union City, TN to Dudley Clem Readenour and Mary Ann Readenour (Fitch). She graduated from North Panola High School (1972). She received a Bachelor’s and Master’s of Accountancy from the University of Mississippi. In her family life, she raised two children with her first husband, then shared a blended family with her second husband, Mark Farrish, Sr, including her stepchildren and grandchildren.

Onaye was involved in her church, serving as a licensed lay worship leader, lector, and on the Altar Guild for many years at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Oxford, MS. She also served as the current Worthy Grand Matron of the Grand Chapter of the State of Mississippi, Order of the Eastern Star. She was a member of the OES for almost 51 years, her primary chapter being the Senatobia Chapter 115, with dual membership at Arkabutla Chapter 454. Onaye was also a member of the Order of Anglican Dominicans.

Onaye was always up for adventure and kept herself busy during her retirement. She had previously studied Spanish and kept her skills polished and mind active by practicing daily on DuoLingo. She also participated in a mission trip to Puerto Rico, blending her love for Spanish and spiritual care. Closer to home she volunteered at the Mississippi State Penitentiary with the prison ministry. Onaye was a coffee enthusiast who needed to have at least one cup before starting her day. She found great peace in nature where one of her favorite things was maintaining and watching her bird feeders in her backyard. She had a deep appreciation for all things musical – initially majoring in Music at Northwest Mississippi Community College and enjoying the likes of Janis Joplin, Broadway musicals, & The Gaithers.

Mrs. Farrish was preceded in death by her parents and stepfather (Wade Riales), her loving husband, Mark Farrish, Sr, her half-sister, Clara Haynes, and her stepsibling, Jerry Riales. She is survived by her daughter Mary Stacy (Kevin) of Southaven, MS, her son Joseph Wilson of Victoria, TX, her stepdaughter Sabrina Willey of Pope, MS, her stepsons Chris Farrish and Mark Farrish, Jr of Modesto, CA, and her grandchildren, Wil Stacy (Kara) and Katy Stacy of Southaven, MS, Ethan and Sara Wilson of Victoria, TX, Aidan and Ethan Willey of Pope, MS and Megan, Jason and Mellissa Farrish of Modesto, CA.

Funeral services will be held at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Oxford, MS on April 12, 2025, at 1:30 pm. A reception will be held immediately after the service.The Officers of the Grand Chapter of the State of Mississippi, Order of the Eastern Star will conduct a Grand Chapter Funeral Service at 1:00 pm. If you would like to donate in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: The Little Red School House, Grand Chapter of Mississippi, 130 Clara Foote Road, Florence, MS 39703, Attn: LRSH – Onaye Farrish.