Katherine Blake Simpson passed away peacefully at her home on July 26, 2016 surrounded by her beloved girls and their families. She was born October 20, 1942 in Pensacola FL to Noel Joseph and Grace Lockwood Blake. She was retired from Piedmont Airlines and US Airways, was a member of the North Carolina Army National Guard and a Veteran of the US Army. Her generous and loving spirit will be with us always. Kathy was predeceased by her parents; very special in laws, Herman Hayes and Mabel Norman Simpson and the father of her children Jerry Norman Simpson. Kathy is survived by her loving daughters and sons in law, Kim Kinder (Kirby), Monica Cochrane (John), Bridget Marrs (Jerry) and Jeri Lynn Rooks (Tim); her fifteen grandchildren, Colby Englund (Josh), Jordan, Jonah, Laura and Annie Kinder, Stabler, Lily Henry and Charlie Cochrane, Michael, Brady and Madison Marrs and Emily (Michael Bissette), Jacob and Ansley Rooks; a great grandson, Macrae Blake Englund. Kathy always had her home open welcoming all with good food and drink and a place to sleep for as long as needed. She had an ability to love the marginalized, poor and seemingly unlovable—she knew no boundaries with her generosity. Although her girls yearned for a traditional household, her multitude of talents and one of a kind creativity has delighted her grandchildren, of which she was endlessly proud. In addition to her immediate family, Kathy is survived by her brothers, Alfred, Raymond and George Blake and her sisters Rita Perling and Therese Cole. A funeral mass will be held 11:00 A.M. Thursday, August 11, 2016 at Holy Family Catholic Church with Rev. Stephen Hoyt officiating. The family will receive friends following the service. A graveside service will be held 11:00 A.M. Friday, August 12, 2016 at Salisbury National Cemetery.
Kathy asked that memorials be made to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Mocksville, NC and Holy Family Catholic Church in Clemmons, NC. Online condolences may be made to www.hayworth-miller.com. A special thanks to the loving hands of her sisters in the last month as well as Hospice. (Hayworth-Miller Kinderton Chapel)