HomeCathryn J. 'Cathy' Kilgore
5/25/09 Cathryn J. 'Cathy' Kilgore
Cathryn June 'Cathy' Kilgore, 81, went home peacefully to be with Jesus shortly before midnight Sunday, May 24, 2009, in Herrin Hospital, with her loving family surrounding her bedside.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, May 29, 2009, at First Baptist Church in Herrin, with friend and pastor, Pastor Paul Tirey officiating. Interment will be in East Lawn Memorial Gardens at Herrin. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m., Thursday, May 28, 2009 at the church.
'Grandma Joe,' as her great-grandchildren affectionately called her, was born Jan. 11, 1928, in Memphis, Tenn., daughter of Girtha Mae (McCormick) and Jacob August Light. Cathy was a devoted, longtime member of Herrin First Baptist Church, having served as the church Librarian and Bible school teacher, until her health didn't permit her to attend. She would always listen by radio every Sunday morning. Cathy moved from Southern Illinois to the northwest suburbs of Chicago in 1964, returning to Herrin with her second husband, Joe Kilgore, to be near their family.
Cathy decided to return to school at the age of 58, and graduated Cum Laude from John A. Logan College. Her husband, Joe Kilgore, taught at John A. Logan College after his retirement. Cathy was proud of the honor to attend the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy in Washington. She enjoyed politics.
Cathy first married Edward L. Murray on Aug. 24, 1947, in Memphis, Tenn. To this union a daughter was born, Linda Cathryn, her only child.
She later married Joe M. Kilgore on Feb. 4, 1967, and together they enjoyed a wonderful marriage until his death June 29, 1993.
Cathy leaves to cherish her memory her daughter, Linda Brandon-Walker and husband, Lindell 'Corky' Walker, of Lake of Egypt; two grandchildren, Lori Ann Brandon Cox and husband, John, of Herrin, and Danny Joe Brandon of Lake of Egypt; three great-grandchildren, Danielle Donai Vaughn and fiance', Matt Cox, of Herrin, Brandon Joseph Vaughn and Macartney Alin Rea of Herrin. She also leaves four stepgrandchildren, James 'Jim' Walker and wife, Cindy, of Anna, Tod Alan Walker of Irving, Texas, Robert Dale Walker of Newnan, Ga., and Elizabeth Kay Brunkhorst and husband, Blaine, of Cape Girardeau; five step great-grandchildren, Maelin Rose Walker of Anna, Calvin, Addison and Elizabeth Brunkhorst of Cape Girardeau, and Kaitlyn Cox of West Frankfort.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her first son-in-law, Danny C. Brandon, whom she loved as her own son; and many beloved Boston terriers and two toy poodles.
Memorials may be given to Herrin First Baptist Church Library in her memory, PAWS, American Humane Society or any no kill animal shelter.
Cathy will be missed by her family and many friends who will always love and cherish her memory. Rest in peace my precious mommy and grandma.