Katherine Meadow

b. 7 January 1920, d. 18 December 2013
  • Katherine Meadow was born on 7 January 1920 in Alabama.
  • Bert Monroe Meadow and Evelyn Blue Adams appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1930 in Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama, at 1005 28th Place. Other members of the household included Katherine Meadow, Evelyn Adams Meadow and Eunice Elizabeth Andrews.
  • Bert Monroe Meadow and Evelyn Blue Adams appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1940 in Mountain Brook, Jefferson County, Alabama, at 2900 Mountain Brook Parkway. Other members of the household included Katherine Meadow, Evelyn Adams Meadow and Eunice Elizabeth Andrews.
  • Katherine Meadow died on 18 December 2013 at age 93.
  • The following appeared on 19 December 2013 in The Birmingham News: Katherine Meadow McTyeire passed away peacefully at home on December 18, 2013. A lifelong resident of Birmingham, Mrs. McTyeire was the daughter of the late Evelyn Adams and Bert Monroe Meadow. She was preceded in death by her husband of almost 62 years, William Walter McTyeire, Jr., a son Bert Meadow McTyeire, and a sister, Evelyn Meadow LaBan of Englewood, New Jersey. Born January 7, 1920, she was educated in Birmingham public schools, Fairfax Hall in Waynesboro, Virginia and Birmingham-Southern College. Mrs. McTyeire was perhaps best known for founding Iron Art, Inc., a home furnishings retail store and design studio, which began on the Southside of Birmingham and later moved to Mountain Brook Village. For 58 years, she was widely recognized as a pioneering female business owner. She served as Director of AmSouth Bank (now Regions), Big B Drugs, the Birmingham Area Chamber of Commerce, and Better Business Bureau of Alabama, where she also served as its President. Mrs. McTyeire also served on the advisory boards of the School of Business for the University of Alabama in Birmingham and Auburn University, where she also served as an Executive in Residence. She was elected into the Kiwanis Club of Birminghams Business Hall of Fame and selected as Woman of the Year by the Business and Professional Women of Birmingham. Mrs. McTyeire was a highly successful businesswoman who modeled and mentored others, balancing the demands of business, civic responsibility and family. In 1969, she was appointed by Governor Albert Brewer to chair the Alabama Sesquicentennial Commission on the occasion of the states 150th anniversary. McTyeire was also selected as a Trustee, Birmingham-Southern College where she was awarded an honorary Doctor of Law degree, as well as being the President of the National Alumni Association; former Co-Chairman of the General Campaign of United Way of Central Alabama; and appointed by the City of Mountain Brook to organize and chair the Emmet ONeal Library Board, for which she currently serves as Trustee Emeritus of its Foundation. She served as President of the Womens Committee of 100, the Junior League of Birmingham, and Mercy Home (now Gateway). McTyeire also helped organize the first merchants association of Mountain Brook. Mrs. McTyeire also served on the advisory boards of Auburn Universitys Interior Design program, Southern Institute, UABs Presidents Advisory Council, Leadership Birmingham and the American Red Cross. She was a member of the Rotary Club of Birmingham, Salvation Army Auxiliary, National Society of Colonial Dames in America, Linly Heflin Unit, Birmingham/Jefferson County Historical Society, French Huguenots, Daughters of Colonial Wars, Daughters of the American Revolution, Newcomen Society, Arlington Association, Lee Society of Virginia, and an allied member of the American Society of Interior Design (ASID). She was named a Woman of Distinction by the Girl Scouts of Central Alabama, and given The Order of the Pearl Award by Kappa Delta Sorority. She was also a member of the First Church of Christ Scientist. McTyeire and her husband built a summer home in Ft. Walton Beach in 1951 where they spent many years enjoying golf and fishing with their children and entertaining friends. Survivors include children William Walter McTyeire, III of Linville, North Carolina, Robert Adams McTyeire (Pam) of Mary Esther, Florida, Katherine McTyeire Millhouse (David) and Helen McTyeire Drennen (Richard); grandchildren William Walter McTyeire, IV (Koko), John Holland McTyeire (Sara), Blair McTyeire Breland (Breece), Robert McCoy Millhouse, Katherine Millhouse Roeder (Michael), Adam Roy Millhouse, Evelyn Adams Drennen, Virginia Hagood Drennen; great grandchildren Elizabeth Holland McTyeire and Elle Meadow Breland; and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Katherine Meadow McTyeire Scholarship Fund at Birmingham-Southern College (900 Arkadelphia Road, 35204), the Emmet ONeal Library (50 Oak Street, 35213) or the First Church of Christ Scientist (209 Oxmoor Circle, Suite 701, 35209). The family also appreciates the loving care, friendship and support of Annie Johnson, LaTrenda Johnson, Teresa Hervey, Hattie ONeal and Doris Robinson. A private family graveside service will be held Friday.
  • Last Edited: 26 Jun 2014