Helping Families and Friends Honor Their Loved One

Kathryn La Vada Bajorek, age 87

Kathryn La Vada Bajorek, age 87, of Jacksonville, Arkansas, was invited into the arms of the Lord during a miraculous sunset on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, surrounded by family at home in Jacksonville, Arkansas. She was born in Coy, Arkansas on December 28, 1937, to the late Fielden and Pearl Adams Combs. She is preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, and two sisters.

At an early age, she worked for Bell Telephone in Phoenix, Arizona as a switchboard operator. She was surrounded by kids galore as a school bus driver for PCSSD and as a bookkeeper for Southside Junior High School where she worked for over 20 years. She was also a co-author for William D. Downs Jr. on the book Stories of Survival: Arkansas Farmers during the Great Depression. She spent her retirement as an avid painter of nature, wildlife, and anything that sparked inspiration or joy. She was a wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, and friend. She was a member of St. Jude’s Catholic Church. She loved to travel and loved her family.

Her greatest joy was family. She is survived by husband, Jerome Bajorek, five sons, Mike and Tanja with four kids and four great grandchildren, Terry and Helen Bajorek with eight kids and eighteen great grandchildren, Robert and Cheryl with five kids and three great grandchildren, George and Jennifer Bajorek with three kids, and Landon “Bobby” Berry with two kids, one brother Lemuel Combs, three sisters Joyce Combs Hoy, Ruby Combs Hall, and Judy Combs Overton, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, family, colleagues, and friends.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 21, 2025 from 6:00-8:00pm in the chapel at A Natural State Funeral Service in Jacksonville, Arkansas. Funeral will follow on Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at 10:00am in the chapel. Burial will be at Rose Bud Cemetery in Rose Bud, Arkansas.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Rose Bud Cemetery; PO Box 55, Rose Bud, Arkansas 72137.

Arrangements by A Natural State Funeral Service 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076. 501-982-3400. Online guestbook available at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com

28 Comments

  • Denise Thompson Posted January 16, 2025 4:59 PM

    She was such a special lady and I loved her so much! She was a great friend to me!

    I love all of her family and send you my sincere sympathy! Keeping you in my prayers!.

  • Debbra Frederick Posted January 16, 2025 5:03 PM

    Meet this wonderful lady in PCB FLORIDA went on several cruises with her and husband and met her family stayed with them . I become like part of them she will be deeply missed her heart was so big and loving I would call them mom and dad a lot but God has her now with the strongest voice and to watch over her children,grandkids,great ones and her wonderful husband Jerry so she rest in peace love u dearly see u in the other life

  • Undra Martin Posted January 16, 2025 5:04 PM

    My sincerest condolences to you and the family.

  • Marvin and Diane Iwanski Posted January 16, 2025 5:09 PM

    Our condolences. We were very fortunate to get to know them both. She can now go to the casino in heaven and play bingo and not have to share her winnings.. will miss her.
    Marvin and Diane. Panama City beach bingo friends
    God bless and rest in peace

  • John Tackett Posted January 16, 2025 6:12 PM

    I started my career in the teaching profession in 1988 at Jacksonville Jr High South. One of the first people I met was Mrs. Kathy Bajorek. She not only made me feel part of the school family, but she also made me feel like I could succeed in this new profession I had chosen. Whenever I felt like I was out of my depth, I would go to Mrs. Bajorek for a kind, encouraging word. I never walked away disappointed after a visit with her. It’s people like Kathy Bajorek who make the world around them a better place – selflessly pouring their kindness and grace into others without expecting anything in return. May the memory of this lovely soul live on in all of those who were blessed enough to be touched by her love and kindness. Undoubtedly, I am only one of many.

  • Rita Smith Posted January 16, 2025 6:35 PM

    I give my sincerest condolences to the family. She will be missed.

  • Blenda Glover Posted January 16, 2025 6:55 PM

    I had the honor of working with her as a bus driver. Truly wonderful lady.

  • Carson Roberts Posted January 17, 2025 9:37 AM

    She was my bus driver ,,,and wonderful friend ,who I loved as if she was my mother ,,,she was an inspiration to me in so many ways ,, will miss her ,,,rest in peace my dear friend ,I love you

  • Gwen Edmondson Posted January 17, 2025 10:15 AM

    Kathy was a friend and neighbor, will miss that beautiful smile of hers.

  • Beverly Barrett Posted January 17, 2025 1:07 PM

    Kathy was a beautiful, kind lady. Loved to see her at church, met her when they were friends with my in-laws. I’ll deeply miss her. Rest in peace💕

  • Ginger and buddy crouch Posted January 17, 2025 6:19 PM

    Sorry to hear this sending prayers to family

  • Jeannie BRIXIE Otts Posted January 17, 2025 6:32 PM

    Prayers for your family Aunt Kathy

  • Sandra Brown Gaines (aka little Wanda) Posted January 17, 2025 7:44 PM

    Kathy was such a beautiful woman inside and out. I have so many memories her from when I was younger. Swimming at the house and more from seeing her in the office at Southside. She will be greatly missed by all who are blessed to have known her. My prayers for peace and comfort are with the whole family.

  • Lisa Dove Wood Posted January 18, 2025 9:21 AM

    I was glad to know her, she produced a good son in George and he loves my sister. Family, cherish them memories.

  • Shirley walker Posted January 18, 2025 12:54 PM

    Cathy was sweet lady and friend. My sympathy goes out to Mike and all of the family.

  • Larry Moore and family Posted January 18, 2025 4:32 PM

    Wishing the family peace at this difficult time.

  • Patty Fulbright Moneagle Posted January 18, 2025 6:47 PM

    My prayers of comfort for Jerry, Mike,Terry,Robert, George and their families. I know the world is a better place because Kathy was in it. Rest in Love Kathy thank you for the love and friendship for my family these 40 plus years. It is something I don’t take lightly.
    Always, Miss Patty

  • Theodore Means Posted January 18, 2025 8:06 PM

    My prayers and sincerest condolences to you all. She always smiled lovingly and kept a kind heart. May your hearts be filled with peace knowing she will rest well with our Heavenly Father.

  • Mildred Bajorek Posted January 19, 2025 9:47 AM

    Kathy was like a sister to me. She was with me the last month my husband lived. I will miss her so much. Blessings to all of the family. Wish I could be there with all of you, but cannot.

  • Diana Kottmyer Posted January 19, 2025 11:49 AM

    Kathy was an amazing woman. She could do anything and talk to anyone. She was a great storyteller. I am blessed to have had her as a friend all these years. Kathy, may you be at peace in Heaven. You will be missed by so many whose lives you touched.

  • Karl nailling & Family Posted January 19, 2025 2:29 PM

    What a Wonder Woman she will be missed

  • pat davidson Posted January 19, 2025 3:16 PM

    Lovely lady. I spent many.years with her at Southside.

  • Stacey Thompson Posted January 20, 2025 6:01 PM

    She was my Grandy’s “very best friend in the whole wide world”….That is how she had Kathy saved in her phone. Kathy was a special person to my family and I will miss her. I am grateful for the friend she was to my Grandy and I know my Grandy was standing at the gate waiting on her when she got to heaven.

  • Mary Hughes Posted January 21, 2025 9:34 AM

    I met Mrs. Bajorek when I went to work at Jacksonville Junior High South. She was not only a colleague at work she was a wonderful friend. Kathy you will be missed by so many. Rest in peace

  • Richard and Deborah Abramovitz & Family Posted January 21, 2025 9:40 AM

    Mrs. Bajorek was a dear friend of me and my family. I thank her for so many of her prayers, for my family, that were always answered. Our prayers go out to Mr. Bajorek, their sons, and their families during this sorrowful time.

  • Mary Hughes Posted January 21, 2025 9:40 AM

    I met Mrs Bajorek when I went to work at Jacksonville Junior High South. She was not only a work colleague but also a wonderful friend. She will be missed by so many family and friends. Rest in peace.

  • Susan and Butch Hammack Posted January 21, 2025 4:35 PM

    So sorry for the loss of your dearest loved one

  • Catherine Hamilton Jackson Posted January 22, 2025 9:49 AM

    What an awesome lady, my condolences to the family. Thank God for the memories.

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