Life-long Memphians and high school sweethearts at South Side High School, Catherine (“Kitty”) and Bill focused their lives on family and faith, joining Colonial Park United Methodist Church in 1954 and serving in multiple roles in the choir, Fidelis (Grace) Class, and other groups there. Kitty loved playing bridge, gardening, cooking, crocheting, and being a hostess for friends and family. She obtained an associate’s degree in accounting and worked alongside Bill to establish and grow a successful food brokerage business.
Catherine then went to work for the IRS Memphis Service Center, rising to an executive position in her 25 years there. However, her true joy came from being a mother and grandmother and serving others. For 17 years, she was Bill’s devoted caretaker, even pulling him from the family home as it burned to the ground.
Catherine was predeceased by her dear sisters Millie and Helen and precious great great grandson Cash.
She is survived by her three children, Cathie (Gary) Wright, Pam (Jim) Church, and Ken Harmon; her nine grandchildren, Chris, Scott, Catie, Jacob, Benjamin, Courtney, Ashley, Ava, and Norah; her eleven great grandchildren, Chase, Braxton, Landon, Hannah, Caden, Abby, Dylan, Jack, Will, Caitlin, and Ceilidh; and her one great great grandchild, Callie.
Visitation will be at noon Saturday, January 25, at Colonial Park United Methodist Church, 5330 Park Ave., Memphis, TN 38119, with services to follow at 1:30.
The family requests that any memorials be sent to Colonial Park United Methodist Church.
