Katherine Lynn Meadows

Katherine Lynn “Kate” Meadows, 45, of Jacksonville Beach, Florida passed away peacefully at home on August 21, 2024, after a valiant battle with breast cancer. 

Born and raised in Morris Illinois, Kate was a 1996 graduate of Morris Community High School. She earned a BS in Justice Systems from Truman State University (Kirksville, MO) where she was also a member of Alpha Gamma Delta social sorority. 

After 22 years of faithful service in the US Navy, Kate retired in 2022 at the rank of Commander. She began her diverse career as a Surface Warfare Officer and served aboard USS Port Royal (CG 73), USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) and USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20). She deployed to the Arabian Gulf and the Horn of Africa in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism. In 2005, Kate's career path shifted as she transferred to the Public Affairs Community. While assigned to the Fleet Public Affairs Center in San Diego, CA she deployed aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) as the assistant public affairs officer. Her next assignment was at Naval Expeditionary Combat Command West, serving as the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group One and Maritime Expeditionary Security Command One public affairs officer. As the public affairs officer for USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and Commander Carrier Strike Group Seven she deployed to the fifth and seventh fleet area of operations in support of Operation New Dawn, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Toolach. While assigned to shore, Kate served in the Office of Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs (OSDPA), and for the Navy Chief of Information (CHINFO), in Washington, D.C, then the public affairs officer for Naval Education and Training Command and then assigned to Commander, Navy Reserve Force Public Affairs. Kate retired from U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet. 

Kate is survived by her mother, Suzanne Meadows of Morris, Illinois; sister, Jennifer (Kenneth Smith) of Woodbridge, Virginia; brother, David (Cecily) of Freeport, Florida and her beloved nieces and nephews: Nathan (Karla) Smith, Madeline Smith, Preston, Harlow and Vincent Meadows. She is preceded in death by her father, Richard Meadows. Kate was supported and loved by many lifelong friends and her amazing village from PRS Running Club in Jacksonville. 

Kate will be remembered for her adventurous spirit, including a love of travel, skiing and running, her determination and her shoes. Friends and family can honor her life through donations to the Kate Meadows Scholarship Fund/PRS Running Club (Venmo or PayPal) or to the Scholarship Fund at Immaculate Conception School (Morris, IL). 

A viewing will be held from 5-7 pm on Tuesday August 27, 2024, at Quinn-Shalz Funeral Home in Jacksonville Beach. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at noon on Wednesday August 28, 2024, at St. Paul’s Catholic Church with Reverend Joseph Jacob as Celebrant. She will be laid to rest with full military honors at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, FL at 10 am on Friday August 30, 2024.