Kathryn Allette Lee Haynes

June 5, 1967 - August 29, 2026

Kathryn Allette Lee Haynes was a beloved daughter, sister, mother, wife, and grandmother during her 59 years of life. Known to her friends and family as Kathryn, Kathy, Kat, Affy, Yaya, and a plethora of other loving nicknames. Kathryn passed away peacefully at her home in Auburn, Alabama, on August 29, 2026, surrounded by her children, family, and friends.

Kathryn was born in Mobile, Alabama, on June 5, 1967, to the late Allie Lee and the late Annette ‘Nonnie’ Weekley. She attended and graduated from Theodore High School in 1986.

In 1987, Kathryn met, married, and cherished her late husband, James Cole Sr of Foley, Alabama. After marriage, Kathryn and James relocated to Auburn, Alabama, to attend Auburn University. After graduation, Kathryn and James settled in Foley, Alabama, where their two children, James ‘Bo’ Cole, Jr. and Amanda Susan Cole, were born. The couple thrived in Foley, Alabama, until her husband died in 2005. As a single mother of two, life changed in so many ways, but Kathryn forged through the fire. In 2013, she met her present husband of 15 years, Jonathan Scott Haynes. The couple settled down in Grand Bay, Alabama. After several years, the couple relocated to Auburn, Alabama, due to Scott’s job. Auburn was a good place in Kathryn’s heart; it held many beautiful memories of life past, present, and future. Kathryn held many jobs throughout her life, Teacher, Interior Decorator, Physical Therapist, but her favorite was being ‘Mom’ to Bo and Amanda, Grandmother to Addison, and ‘Wife’ to Jonathan.

Kathryn was a creative talent, seeing beauty in every facet of life. Kathryn’s artistic eye and attention to detail were amazing. She was able to grasp any art forms, including woodworking, leatherwork, sewing, painting, sculpting, holiday decorations, and much more.

She was integral in supporting the children with school projects and their participation in various clubs and organizations throughout school years. These included leading Cub Scout dens, church youth groups, acting as classroom sponsors, and student council activities. Kathryn sewed much of the young children’s clothes. In fact, she worked on her hobbies and crafting right up to her passing.

Her favorite holiday was Christmas, not for the receiving part, but for the giving. Kathryn’s eyes would light up at every smile given by a child opening presents. She loved children and was adored by many just for her ability to listen and teach.

Kathryn loved to read and amassed a large library of books and videos. She was always learning new things. In addition, she was the best investigator you would ever want to know. She could find out things about anyone – and she did that often!

Kathryn was a lifelong fan of the Auburn Tigers and had a civil war with her husband, Scott, each year when Alabama and Auburn played. The only sport that the husband-and-wife team could agree on was their granddaughter’s softball teams, where, when in attendance, Kathryn could be heard cheering over everyone else cheering ‘GO GIRLS GO’.

Kathryn was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2021, which she beat in 2023. In 2024, she was again diagnosed with cancer, which had settled in her abdomen and was limited in the type of medical treatment to fight it. Kathryn fought with the utmost bravery until she succumbed to it on Saturday, August 29, 2026.

Kathryn left this world on her own terms, stretching out every second, every minute, every day, until her last breath. She left an impression on everyone she met with her smile, her non-judgment, and her deep conversations. Kathryn was more than a daughter, more a sister, more than a wife, more than a mother, more than a grandmother, and more than a friend……Kathryn was a force of nature and will be terribly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Kathryn is survived by her 2 children, James Cole Jr, of Foley, Alabama, and Amanda Susan Cole, of Auburn, Alabama; 1 granddaughter, Addison Naomi Cole, of Auburn, Alabama. Her father, Steven Lansing, and her husband, Jonathan Scott Haynes.

Her siblings, Steven Wright- (Rebecca); Glen Wright (Susan); Cindy Maxwell (Victor); Doug Wright (Martha); Uncles: Mike Weekley (Mary); Charley Weekley (Mary); Nieces and nephews: Ian, Shana, Stephanie, Francis, Glenn Jr, Travis, Jeremy, Calvin, Lori, Thomas, Angela, Melissa, Alex and Justin.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Annette Weekley Lansing and Alley Lee; brothers, Freddie Hinote and Steven Grimes; and nephews Shawn and Billy; and first husband, James Cole Sr.

Kathryn told her husband that she wanted to mention those whom she felt were just as close as family and all meant the world to her: The Bordano Family-Tony, Amber-daughters Lyss and Mia; The Longstreth Family- Wade, Lesley Longstreth-daughter Savannah; her most precious longtime friends and Yayas, Diana Hortmer, Andrea Miller, Suzan Patrick, Michael Christen, and of course Caroline ‘Bink’ Cox; there are plenty more…

Kathryn's final wishes were that no one cried for her leaving this world, but that everyone rejoiced in her next journey and that we would all see each other again. She wanted everyone to know she loved you all deeply and unconditionally.

Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 12 at 1 pm-4 pm at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home, 1801 Frederick Rd. in Opelika, AL 36801.