Katharine Antoinette Buel

Gable, SC…. Katharine Antoinette Buel, age 66, passed away on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital.

Born on Friday the 13th, February 1959 in Schenectady, NY, she was the daughter of the late George Edwards and Barbara Bowman Edwards.  Katharine was an employee of UBI in Sumter for over 20 years.  She had a personal relationship with her co-workers as well as a professional one. She was also loved by many agents across different states, even though she never met them face to face. She retired in 2024 as their Leads Director.

Her life after retirement was all about spending precious time with family. She had a huge heart, and it was filled with love for her grandchildren, spoiling them any chance she got. She knew when words were not enough, she had the ability to squeeze the love back into you with just a hug. Kathy’s laughter and love was not only the heart of our family but cherished by all who were blessed to know her. Her legendary quick wit was a force to be reckoned with. You will be forever missed and never forgotten.

Surviving to cherish her memory are her daughter, Melissa Prescott and husband Chris (Andy & Ellie) of Gable, SC; her adopted daughter, Natalie Blackmon (Chloe & Scarlett) of Sumter, SC, her son, Robert Buel, and wife Jennifer (Benjamin, Katelyn, Zachary) of Idaho and her former spouse of 22 years and forever friend, Jeff Buel and Linda of Oregon.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her brother, Joseph Edwards.

A funeral service will be held on Friday the 13th of February 2026, at 1:00 pm in the Bullock Funeral Home Chapel.  The interment will immediately follow the service in the Brunson Cemetery.

A visitation will be held on Thursday the 12th of February 2026, from 5:00-7:00 pm at Bullock Funeral Home. The family will also be receiving friends and family at The American Legion, 34 South Artillery Drive Sumter, SC 29150 at 4:00 pm, Friday the 13th of February 2026.

You may go to www.bullockfuneralhome.com and sign the family’s guest book.

The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home for the arrangements.

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