Kathryn Bachmann

Mrs. Kathryn Bachmann, 94, of Dothan, passed away on Friday, July 19, 2019 in Dothan, AL. Services will be held on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Selma Baptist Church in Dothan with Rev. Evan Kohen and Rev. Bill Brown officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the church. Kathryn was born to Lottie Brackin Hodges Mendheim and Chester Lee Hodges of the Blackwood community. Around age 6, Kathryn contracted polio, which drastically limited her physical abilities but led her to a lifelong career in art, her ultimate gift to her family and the world. After graduating from Dothan High School, Kathryn studied art at Troy State University and The University of Alabama with Marie Allen and Claude Peacock, respectively. She graduated from Famous Artists School of Commercial Art, founded by renowned artists Albert Dorne and Norman Rockwell. After WWII, Kathryn married fellow artist and photographer Norman Bachmann, the love of her life for 54 years. Together they created a home studio and produced beautiful works in watercolor, oil, acrylic, and photography. Kathryn received numerous honors and awards, and her work is exhibited throughout the United States in private and public collections. Her paintings have been printed in two issues of "Artist/U.S.A" and listed in two other publications. Between 1961 and 1977, Kathryn served as an Army illustrator at Ft. Rucker, Ala., where new challenges arose in training helicopter pilots during the Viet Nam Conflict. Kathryn created artistic representations of the tropical Viet Nam Peninsula as training tools for new pilots. A member of The Henry County Historical Society, Kathryn and her niece Dr. Sue Shirah-Sands published several books on the Kirkland-Brackin genealogy, and she was artist/illustrator for two popular cookbooks of the Wiregrass Community. Throughout her life, Kathryn was an inspiration and Christian example to all who knew her. She embodied determination, skill, and grace. She is survived by a sister, Frances (Joan) Hodges Harris; and brother, James C Hodges of Dothan; and many nephews, nieces, and cousins. Special appreciation to Extendicare of Dothan for many years of loving care to Kathryn and more recently to Kindred Hospice of Dothan. The family suggests donations to Selma Baptist Church 3255 South Park Ave., Dothan, AL 36301, or Blackwood Community Church, 751 County Rd 576, Headland, AL 36345. Burial Date July 24, 2019 Services will be held on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Selma Baptist Church in Dothan with Rev. Evan Kohen and Rev. Bill Brown officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the church.