Kathern Taylor

June 14, 1918 - October 15, 2019

Kathern Faye Reed Taylor peacefully passed away at Genesis HealthCare in Sparta, NC on Tuesday, October 15, 2019, in the loving care of her dedicated caregivers that have been caring for her more than 17 years and the Medi-Home Hospice Staff of Alleghany members that have been adding their devoted support for the past several months. Kathern was blessed to have celebrated her 101st birthday on June 14, 2019. She had a joyous 100th birthday celebration in June 2018. Many of her friends and relatives attended. She was blessed beyond measure that her baby sister, Wilma Reed Brashear, travelled from Indiana to attend this celebration. Her eyes were bright with delight when she saw her. She had not seen her for many years and was surprised when she entered the room. Wilma’s four lovely daughters also attended. Sadly, Wilma passed away 11 short months after that celebration. Kathern died the way she lived, quiet and peaceful. God whispered her name…”Kathern” it is time…you have fought a good fight. With that she departed to her heavenly home. Throughout her Bible she had penned the words, “God please take me home.” She is now at peace. Kathern Faye Reed (aka, Kathryn, Katherine and Kak) was born on June 14, 1918 to John Marshall Reed and Rena Armita Belinda Louetisha Bare Reed. She was raised on Cranberry Creek Road in Laurel Springs, NC. She married Edgar (Frank) Taylor on April 20, 1935. They lived their entire married life on Doughton Mountain Road on a farmette in a modest white home that set up on a hillside on a narrow winding road. It was a peaceful home setting with farm animals, lots of flowers (roses and dahlias) farming outbuildings, fruit and pine trees and a delicious blackberry patch. You could look out her front door to a pond at the foothill. Kathern didn’t stray too far from home except to go to work, to the grocery store, to visit her family and to spend precious hours with her mom and dad when they were alive. One of her most memorable trips was to Disney World in Orlando, Florida not long after it opened. All the relatives always enjoyed going to Aunt Kathern’s home. She made you feel so welcomed. She made excellent home cooked meals. She made delicious pinto beans and cornbread. Kathern and Frank never had any children. But, they cherished their little dog Tipper. They were married 67 years when he passed away on September 16, 2002. Kathern and Frank attended the Transou Christian Church and the Pine Fork Baptist Church. Kathern worked for many years at the Troutman Shirt Factory in Sparta. At 101, Kathern has experienced the loss of many friends and family, including her mother (passed September 30, 1983) and daddy (passed May 8, 1970) and her sisters, Georgia Bell Mabe (passed January 3, 1976), Beulah Grace Rimel (passed March 23, 2018), Wilma Gray Brashear (passed Mother’s Day, May 12, 2019), and her only brother, Blain Nelson Reed (passed November 14, 1995). She had two half siblings, Ellie Reed (passed April 6, 1919) and Clay Reed (passed January 27, 1965). Kathern had numerous loving nieces and nephews who thought the world of her and will miss her with all their hearts. Kathern has one living sister, Mabel Virginia Huffman. She is 97 years old and resides in Maryland. Kathern was raised on a farm by a Bible believing, hardworking mom and dad that she loved dearly. She wrote so many times in her Bible that she loved her mommy and daddy and that she missed them so much and wanted to go to heaven to be with them. Now she has laid her heavy burden down and is in her heavenly home with them and her family. During Kathern’s many years at Genesis she had a very special caregiver that she absolutely adored. Her name is Mandy Johnson. Kathern anxiously waited to see Mandy every day that she worked and kissed her goodbye each evening. She was like the daughter she never had. Mandy went beyond her duty to see that Kathern was provided excellent care. Her love, care, attention and dedication to Kathern were more than we can put into words. Mandy, we thank you for giving Kathern the will to live all these years. Kathern will be greatly missed by the friends and family that mourns her loss. The family requests the honor of your presence at the funeral service to honor the life of Kathern at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, October 17, 2019 in the chapel of Grandview Memorial Funeral Home with Brother Hugh Miller officiating. Interment will follow in the Cranberry Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the funeral service at the funeral home. Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to Cranberry Cemetery Fund, c/o David Taylor, 30 Dan Ridge Drive, Laurel Springs, NC 28644 or Medi-Home Hospice of Alleghany, P.O. Box 1287, Sparta, NC 28675. The family would like to extend our special thanks to the staff of Genesis HealthCare and Medi-Home Hospice of Alleghany for their exceptional selfless support and care. Grandview Memorial Funeral Home is proudly serving the Taylor family and if you wish, online condolences may be submitted to the family at www.grandviewfuneralhome.com.