Obituary from The Commercial Appeal, Memphis, Tennessee, Thurs. 3 April 1980, pg 37.
MRS. KATIE J. WILLINGHAM, 86, of 2848 Heber, retired secretary for City of Memphis Hospital, Defense Depot Memphis and the old Kennedy Veterans Hospital and widow of Alex Willingham, died Tuesday at home. Services will be at 2:45 p.m. tomorrow at Memphis Funeral Home on Union with burial in Forest Hill Cemetery Midtown. She was a member of St. Matthew's United Methodist Church, where she had taught Sunday School.
She leaves three daughters, Mrs. Katrina Esgro Wilson of Memphis, Mrs. Thelma Egner of Dallas and Mrs. Leona Glenn of Arkansas; 5 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
-----o-----
Katie Lou Jackson, daughter of Samuel T. Jackson and Isophene (Phenie) Whobrey, was 16 when she met Alexander Hamilton Willingham. Alex was preaching at a "tent meeting." Katie donned her Sunday best bonnet, and when she arrived for services, she sat on the front row. Her five foot, petite figure and pretty face apparently caught the eye of the preacher, and the courting began.
After marriage, the couple relocated numerous times. Their first child, Thelma, was born in Tennessee. Birthplace for Katrina was Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee. Leona was born in Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan. Phillip was born in Louisville, Jefferson Co., Kentucky. Alex Jr's birthplace is stated as Kentucky on his death certificate.
Neither Alex nor Katie believed in divorce, but Katie followed through with what she had to do. It took a great deal of courage for a woman to do so in that era, especially for one that had never worked outside the home or farm.
Katie's very first job was at the court house in Memphis. She then opted to "work for the government." At the age of 49, Katie trained at the old Kennedy Veterans Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Katie worked beyond the normal age of retirement to age 70. She had to ride the city buses to work which entailed several transfers and a ride of over an hour to get there. She never missed a day of work. In the last year or so of being in the work force, Katie purchased an automobile. She took driving lessons and was proud to have her own transportation. The family laughed for Katie rode the clutch so much that she wore out several clutches on that car in one year! I distinctly remember being amazed that my Granny Kate was 69 when she learned to drive.
After her divorce, and beginning on her own in a poor section of Memphis, Katie lived in a two bedroom duplex. There Katie often had one or more of her grown children return to live with her. This was especially true during WWII. It was at this house, 519 Mosby St., that I have my earliest memories. We were poor, but oh how those women cleaned things! We did not have a "poor" mentality, other than frugal ways and making do with what one had.
On 12 December 1955, Katie purchased a modest, new home of her own where she lived until her death in 1980. (source - Register of Deeds, Shelby Co., Tenn., book 3592, pg. 259) She was proud of her little house and continued to provide a place of refuge for her children when things were rough. On a table in front of her living room window, at both houses, was a small lamp. From the time I can remember, Granny Kate always lit that lamp at night "in case someone needed to come home."
Katie passed on to her children many, many childhood songs, and I remember the family singing with gusto around her old upright piano. More than any other genre of songs, they sang hymns. Her daughters could recite poems, sing songs, and tell stories that few others knew. My attempts to pass on a few of these have met with stark astonishment from my own grandchildren. Not too many appreciate a fly and a flea stuck in a flue. Now, really, don't you think it is important to know this?
A flea and a fly in a flue
were imprisoned so what could they do?
Said the flea "let us fly,"
said the fly" let us flee"
so they flew through a flaw in the flue.
Katie loved her children and grandchildren, always keeping her positive outlook through whatever life sent her way.
MRS. KATIE J. WILLINGHAM, 86, of 2848 Heber, retired secretary for City of Memphis Hospital, Defense Depot Memphis and the old Kennedy Veterans Hospital and widow of Alex Willingham, died Tuesday at home. Services will be at 2:45 p.m. tomorrow at Memphis Funeral Home on Union with burial in Forest Hill Cemetery Midtown. She was a member of St. Matthew's United Methodist Church, where she had taught Sunday School.
She leaves three daughters, Mrs. Katrina Esgro Wilson of Memphis, Mrs. Thelma Egner of Dallas and Mrs. Leona Glenn of Arkansas; 5 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
-----o-----
Katie Lou Jackson, daughter of Samuel T. Jackson and Isophene (Phenie) Whobrey, was 16 when she met Alexander Hamilton Willingham. Alex was preaching at a "tent meeting." Katie donned her Sunday best bonnet, and when she arrived for services, she sat on the front row. Her five foot, petite figure and pretty face apparently caught the eye of the preacher, and the courting began.
After marriage, the couple relocated numerous times. Their first child, Thelma, was born in Tennessee. Birthplace for Katrina was Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee. Leona was born in Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan. Phillip was born in Louisville, Jefferson Co., Kentucky. Alex Jr's birthplace is stated as Kentucky on his death certificate.
Neither Alex nor Katie believed in divorce, but Katie followed through with what she had to do. It took a great deal of courage for a woman to do so in that era, especially for one that had never worked outside the home or farm.
Katie's very first job was at the court house in Memphis. She then opted to "work for the government." At the age of 49, Katie trained at the old Kennedy Veterans Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Katie worked beyond the normal age of retirement to age 70. She had to ride the city buses to work which entailed several transfers and a ride of over an hour to get there. She never missed a day of work. In the last year or so of being in the work force, Katie purchased an automobile. She took driving lessons and was proud to have her own transportation. The family laughed for Katie rode the clutch so much that she wore out several clutches on that car in one year! I distinctly remember being amazed that my Granny Kate was 69 when she learned to drive.
After her divorce, and beginning on her own in a poor section of Memphis, Katie lived in a two bedroom duplex. There Katie often had one or more of her grown children return to live with her. This was especially true during WWII. It was at this house, 519 Mosby St., that I have my earliest memories. We were poor, but oh how those women cleaned things! We did not have a "poor" mentality, other than frugal ways and making do with what one had.
On 12 December 1955, Katie purchased a modest, new home of her own where she lived until her death in 1980. (source - Register of Deeds, Shelby Co., Tenn., book 3592, pg. 259) She was proud of her little house and continued to provide a place of refuge for her children when things were rough. On a table in front of her living room window, at both houses, was a small lamp. From the time I can remember, Granny Kate always lit that lamp at night "in case someone needed to come home."
Katie passed on to her children many, many childhood songs, and I remember the family singing with gusto around her old upright piano. More than any other genre of songs, they sang hymns. Her daughters could recite poems, sing songs, and tell stories that few others knew. My attempts to pass on a few of these have met with stark astonishment from my own grandchildren. Not too many appreciate a fly and a flea stuck in a flue. Now, really, don't you think it is important to know this?
A flea and a fly in a flue
were imprisoned so what could they do?
Said the flea "let us fly,"
said the fly" let us flee"
so they flew through a flaw in the flue.
Katie loved her children and grandchildren, always keeping her positive outlook through whatever life sent her way.
Obituary from The Commercial Appeal, Memphis, Tennessee, Thurs. 3 April 1980, pg 37.
MRS. KATIE J. WILLINGHAM, 86, of 2848 Heber, retired secretary for City of Memphis Hospital, Defense Depot Memphis and the old Kennedy Veterans Hospital and widow of Alex Willingham, died Tuesday at home. Services will be at 2:45 p.m. tomorrow at Memphis Funeral Home on Union with burial in Forest Hill Cemetery Midtown. She was a member of St. Matthew's United Methodist Church, where she had taught Sunday School.
She leaves three daughters, Mrs. Katrina Esgro Wilson of Memphis, Mrs. Thelma Egner of Dallas and Mrs. Leona Glenn of Arkansas; 5 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
-----o-----
Katie Lou Jackson, daughter of Samuel T. Jackson and Isophene (Phenie) Whobrey, was 16 when she met Alexander Hamilton Willingham. Alex was preaching at a "tent meeting." Katie donned her Sunday best bonnet, and when she arrived for services, she sat on the front row. Her five foot, petite figure and pretty face apparently caught the eye of the preacher, and the courting began.
After marriage, the couple relocated numerous times. Their first child, Thelma, was born in Tennessee. Birthplace for Katrina was Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee. Leona was born in Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan. Phillip was born in Louisville, Jefferson Co., Kentucky. Alex Jr's birthplace is stated as Kentucky on his death certificate.
Neither Alex nor Katie believed in divorce, but Katie followed through with what she had to do. It took a great deal of courage for a woman to do so in that era, especially for one that had never worked outside the home or farm.
Katie's very first job was at the court house in Memphis. She then opted to "work for the government." At the age of 49, Katie trained at the old Kennedy Veterans Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Katie worked beyond the normal age of retirement to age 70. She had to ride the city buses to work which entailed several transfers and a ride of over an hour to get there. She never missed a day of work. In the last year or so of being in the work force, Katie purchased an automobile. She took driving lessons and was proud to have her own transportation. The family laughed for Katie rode the clutch so much that she wore out several clutches on that car in one year! I distinctly remember being amazed that my Granny Kate was 69 when she learned to drive.
After her divorce, and beginning on her own in a poor section of Memphis, Katie lived in a two bedroom duplex. There Katie often had one or more of her grown children return to live with her. This was especially true during WWII. It was at this house, 519 Mosby St., that I have my earliest memories. We were poor, but oh how those women cleaned things! We did not have a "poor" mentality, other than frugal ways and making do with what one had.
On 12 December 1955, Katie purchased a modest, new home of her own where she lived until her death in 1980. (source - Register of Deeds, Shelby Co., Tenn., book 3592, pg. 259) She was proud of her little house and continued to provide a place of refuge for her children when things were rough. On a table in front of her living room window, at both houses, was a small lamp. From the time I can remember, Granny Kate always lit that lamp at night "in case someone needed to come home."
Katie passed on to her children many, many childhood songs, and I remember the family singing with gusto around her old upright piano. More than any other genre of songs, they sang hymns. Her daughters could recite poems, sing songs, and tell stories that few others knew. My attempts to pass on a few of these have met with stark astonishment from my own grandchildren. Not too many appreciate a fly and a flea stuck in a flue. Now, really, don't you think it is important to know this?
A flea and a fly in a flue
were imprisoned so what could they do?
Said the flea "let us fly,"
said the fly" let us flee"
so they flew through a flaw in the flue.
Katie loved her children and grandchildren, always keeping her positive outlook through whatever life sent her way.
MRS. KATIE J. WILLINGHAM, 86, of 2848 Heber, retired secretary for City of Memphis Hospital, Defense Depot Memphis and the old Kennedy Veterans Hospital and widow of Alex Willingham, died Tuesday at home. Services will be at 2:45 p.m. tomorrow at Memphis Funeral Home on Union with burial in Forest Hill Cemetery Midtown. She was a member of St. Matthew's United Methodist Church, where she had taught Sunday School.
She leaves three daughters, Mrs. Katrina Esgro Wilson of Memphis, Mrs. Thelma Egner of Dallas and Mrs. Leona Glenn of Arkansas; 5 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
-----o-----
Katie Lou Jackson, daughter of Samuel T. Jackson and Isophene (Phenie) Whobrey, was 16 when she met Alexander Hamilton Willingham. Alex was preaching at a "tent meeting." Katie donned her Sunday best bonnet, and when she arrived for services, she sat on the front row. Her five foot, petite figure and pretty face apparently caught the eye of the preacher, and the courting began.
After marriage, the couple relocated numerous times. Their first child, Thelma, was born in Tennessee. Birthplace for Katrina was Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee. Leona was born in Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan. Phillip was born in Louisville, Jefferson Co., Kentucky. Alex Jr's birthplace is stated as Kentucky on his death certificate.
Neither Alex nor Katie believed in divorce, but Katie followed through with what she had to do. It took a great deal of courage for a woman to do so in that era, especially for one that had never worked outside the home or farm.
Katie's very first job was at the court house in Memphis. She then opted to "work for the government." At the age of 49, Katie trained at the old Kennedy Veterans Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Katie worked beyond the normal age of retirement to age 70. She had to ride the city buses to work which entailed several transfers and a ride of over an hour to get there. She never missed a day of work. In the last year or so of being in the work force, Katie purchased an automobile. She took driving lessons and was proud to have her own transportation. The family laughed for Katie rode the clutch so much that she wore out several clutches on that car in one year! I distinctly remember being amazed that my Granny Kate was 69 when she learned to drive.
After her divorce, and beginning on her own in a poor section of Memphis, Katie lived in a two bedroom duplex. There Katie often had one or more of her grown children return to live with her. This was especially true during WWII. It was at this house, 519 Mosby St., that I have my earliest memories. We were poor, but oh how those women cleaned things! We did not have a "poor" mentality, other than frugal ways and making do with what one had.
On 12 December 1955, Katie purchased a modest, new home of her own where she lived until her death in 1980. (source - Register of Deeds, Shelby Co., Tenn., book 3592, pg. 259) She was proud of her little house and continued to provide a place of refuge for her children when things were rough. On a table in front of her living room window, at both houses, was a small lamp. From the time I can remember, Granny Kate always lit that lamp at night "in case someone needed to come home."
Katie passed on to her children many, many childhood songs, and I remember the family singing with gusto around her old upright piano. More than any other genre of songs, they sang hymns. Her daughters could recite poems, sing songs, and tell stories that few others knew. My attempts to pass on a few of these have met with stark astonishment from my own grandchildren. Not too many appreciate a fly and a flea stuck in a flue. Now, really, don't you think it is important to know this?
A flea and a fly in a flue
were imprisoned so what could they do?
Said the flea "let us fly,"
said the fly" let us flee"
so they flew through a flaw in the flue.
Katie loved her children and grandchildren, always keeping her positive outlook through whatever life sent her way.
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See more Willingham or Jackson memorials in:
- Forest Hill Cemetery Midtown Willingham or Jackson
- Memphis Willingham or Jackson
- Shelby County Willingham or Jackson
- Tennessee Willingham or Jackson
- USA Willingham or Jackson
- Find a Grave Willingham or Jackson
