Kathryn Slaton Thompson

Kathryn Slaton Thompson, a native and life-long resident of Mobile, passed away peacefully on February 24, 2022 in a local hospital at the age of 98 years with her four children and family members at her bedside. She is preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Vester Jay Thompson, Jr., her son-in-law Robert Clark Day, Jr. of Montrose, grand-daughter Mary Lucile Russell of Memphis, Tennessee, brothers Henry Crawford Slaton, Jr. and Edward Bailey Slaton both of Mobile, sister Mary Jane and her husband Zeb Inge of Mobile, and sister-in-law Mary Knox and her husband Dr. Theo Middleton of Mobile.

Kathryn, daughter of Henry Crawford and Elizabeth Bailey Slaton, was born on July 31, 1923 in Mobile. She attended both Leinkauf School and Barton Academy, and graduated from Murphy High School. She subsequently graduated from Arlington Hall in Washington, D.C. in 1942. During the later years of World War II, Kathryn was employed by Waterman Steamship as a switchboard operator and secretary. She married Vester Jay Thompson, Jr. in 1948 at the First Baptist Church of Government Street in Mobile. Adored by her husband Vester, she devoted her life thereafter to the raising of their family. During her early married years, she enjoyed playing golf and tennis with her husband and close friends. Kathryn always treasured the time shared with the family at the Slaton House in Point Clear, this special place giving her, and her family, many fond memories and much happiness throughout her life.

Kathryn was a devoted member of the First Baptist Church of Mobile, where she was Head of the Flower Ministry. She was a member of the Colonial Dames and Junior League of Mobile. Kathryn was also a member of several Mobile mystic societies. She enjoyed her Bridge Club, her group of close friends that gathered each Wednesday for many years. Kathryn had many wonderful and memorable trips throughout North America and Europe with her husband Vester. She cherished her home in Mobile where she resided for nearly 70 years, spending countless hours tending to her yard. She took pleasure knitting and needlepoint, but her passion was the creation of numerous beautiful hand-sewn French dresses for her granddaughters and great-granddaughters. Kathryn will be remembered for her unconditional love, strength and fortitude, patience and tolerance, compassion and generosity. Her sense of humor could frame a perceived serious issue into its proper trivial prospective by using a variety of uniquely colorful and amusing clichés and memes.

Kathryn is survived by her four children: her two daughters Elizabeth Thompson Day of Montrose, and Chandler Thompson Russell and husband Jim of Tallahassee, Florida; and her two sons Vester Jay Thompson, III and wife Amy of Montrose, and Edward Fletcher Thompson and wife Karen of Mobile. Kathryn, known to her family as ‘KaKa’, was a wise and inspirational grandmother of ten: Kathryn Day Watkins and husband Paul of Fairhope, Elizabeth Day Lehrter and husband John of Spanish Fort, Robert Clark Day, III of Pine, Colorado, Chandler Thompson Russell of Thomasville, Georgia, James Franklin Russell, III and wife Laura of Harrodsburg, Kentucky, Emily Mattie Thompson of Montrose, Kathryn Slaton Thompson of Montrose, Vester Jay Thompson IV of Montrose, Mary Thompson Smith and husband Graham of Fairhope, and Fletcher Slaton Thompson and wife Kelly of Mobile. Kathryn is also survived by eight great-grandchildren, Macpherson Watkins, Francis Watkins, Elizabeth Jane Lehrter, William Lehrter, Jack Lehrter, Peter Russell, Amelia Smith, and Celeste Thompson.

Kathryn is also survived by her caretaker, Gloria Lockett. Gloria unselfishly devoted herself to the family for the past 21 years, during which time Kathryn and Gloria developed an inseparable relationship, one of such love and trusted friendship that Kathryn’s children affectionately, and proudly, regard Gloria as a valued member of the family. Kathryn and her husband Vester both benefitted from the exceptional care provided by the staff of Gloria’s Reliable Sitting Service.

Family graveside services will be conducted at 11:30 AM, March 2, 2022 at Pine Crest Cemetery, Dauphin Island Parkway, Mobile Alabama. The family asks that memorial gifts be made to The Foundation of the First Baptist Church of Mobile, 806 Government Street, Mobile Alabama 36602.