Kathleen Hilton Harris

Kathleen Hilton Harris of Gardendale passed away on December 18, 2022 at the age of 92. She was born in Double Springs, Alabama to John Henry Hilton and Effie Shell Hilton, and she had one sibling, her older sister Jean. By all accounts, Kathleen enjoyed a happy childhood and was the apple of her father’s eye. She spent days helping him in the garden as well as working with her mother canning the vegetables that were grown – a habit that followed her throughout her adult life. She had many close friends in school and maintained a relationship with most of them for years. Kathleen was a good student and did well in school. In her senior year of high school she met the man she was to marry, Doyle Harris, at a basketball game.

Kathleen and Doyle married in 1949 and moved to Birmingham to attend Howard College (now Samford University). There, Kathleen studied biology in her endeavor to become a laboratory technician, a course of study that had been recommended by her family physician, Dr. Malcolm Blake, who recognized her intelligence and work ethic. While still in school, Kathleen worked at Lloyd Nolan Hospital, and continued there for many years in the laboratory. Her favorite part of the job was getting to see all the new babies in the nursery.

After completing their education, Doyle and Kathleen bought a home in the north Birmingham community of Norwood and began a family, which grew to include four children: two boys and two girls. They became very active members of Norwood United Methodist Church, and Kathleen joined a women’s circle. She often helped with providing meals for the potluck suppers as well as children’s activities. Later the family moved to Gardendale and joined Gardendale United Methodist Church (later Gardendale-Mt. Vernon and now Hope Church). She continued to provide food at various events and was especially known for her wonderful pound cakes. Each year for the fall festival she provided two sour cream pound cakes, as well as two Million Dollar pound cakes, which reportedly were best sellers.

Before moving to Gardendale, Kathleen had begun working in the office of Dr. Elmer Motte. She grew to know almost everyone in Gardendale and was well known for her compassion and expertise as a “good arm sticker.” In later years, on trips to Walmart and around town, she was frequently greeted by people she had helped at Dr Motte’s office and recognized and talked to them all, which made for some very extended shopping trips.

Kathleen was a devoted mother. She was often the only parent at home since Doyle traveled frequently for work. She was able to maintain the household and keep all the children fed, clothed, and in school—sometimes a monumental task!

She was also a very devoted wife, and often proved her vows “in sickness and in health” as she became Doyle’s sole caretaker later in life when he developed dementia which worsened as the years went on. She kept him at home as long as possible until just 2 months before his death, taking care of all his personal needs, very often at the expense of her own health.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Jean, her son Richard Brent Harris, and her husband of 72 years Doyle E. Harris. She is survived by her son Steven Hilton Harris (Cathy), daughter Patti Dawn Wilkerson (Dale), and daughter Tamara Kathleen Trudeau (Bill) as well as 8 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

She was known for her unwavering devotion to family, her steadfast determination, and her love of God.