Katherine Aderholt Clapp Giddens age 91, of Trussville, died on Thursday, May 21, 2020 of natural causes. Katherine was born September 18, 1928 in Birmingham a daughter of William L. Aderholt, Jr. and Lorraine (Foster) Aderholt and a granddaughter of Mabel and John Foster. On July 3, 1948 in Birmingham, she married Merwin B. Clapp who died in 1997 a few months before their 50th wedding anniversary. She married William E. Giddens in Birmingham on November 20, 1999. He also preceded her in death.
Katherine graduated from Woodlawn High School (class of 1946) where she served as the first female drum major for the marching band. She lived in Homewood, Ill. for 28 years while raising her children and was active in her church and as a hospital volunteer.
Katherine and Merwin returned to Birmingham in 1987, and she continued her volunteer work. She served as President of the Medical Center East Auxiliary (1993-94) and Chairman of the Alabama Council of Hospital Auxiliaries (2000-02). She received recognition for her service with the Volunteer of the Year Award from the AL council of Hospital Auxiliaries (1999) and an Honorary Golden Eagle Award from the Alabama Senior Citizen Hall of Fame (1995).
Katherine possessed a strong spirit and found a perfect way to refine it in the church from an early age. She served as Secretary-Treasurer of Woodlawn Presbyterian when she was 18. Her offices included Deacon in the Presbyterian Church in Homewood, IL and Elder in Eastminster Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church in Trussville. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church at the time of her death.
Katherine's fearlessness, the dedication and skill she brought to any project she took on, and her unwavering support for her family, church, work relationships, and friends won her the admiration and love of many over her long life. She worked through bouts of multiple sclerosis that at times left her blind or dragging herself along walls in the house. All while taking care of two handicapped children with vastly different abilities and problems with her husband out of town for weeks at a time on business. Katherine and Merwin had a special marriage. He trusted her to take care of their children and household; she trusted him to take care of his career and their financial health.
Katherine loved people, zeroing in on what made each beautiful and interesting. She was a natural for leadership positions though she never sought them and gladly encouraged others to take her place when her term was over. Her success was largely due to her ability to make every person she worked with feel that they were valuable.
Survivors include her son, David F. Clapp (Sara) and her stepchildren, Margaret Fritsma (George), Virginia Yarbrough, William E. Giddens III (Linda), Edward Giddens, and John Giddens.
Brothers, William Aderholt and Dr. Chaney Aderholt (Margaret), granddaughters Michelle LaMantia Sweeney and Jennifer Yarbrough Yates (Kevin), six great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren also survive.
Katherine was preceded in death by her parents; her two husbands; and her daughter Lynda Clapp LaMantia.
A private family graveside service is planned. A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Trussville on a date to be determined.
Memorials are suggested to Presbyterian Home for Children in Birmingham or First Presbyterian Church in Trussville.
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