Kathryn Dawn Wilbourn

Our beautiful daughter, Kathryn Dawn Wilbourn, affectionately known as Kathy, suddenly left us on February 18th, 2024. Born May 11,1966 in Jackson, TN. She sadly left behind a loving Mother, Tomi Sue Mayer, (David Mayer) of Mobile, AL. Father, Phil Wilbourn (JoAnn Wilbourn) of Cookeville, TN. and Brother, Phillip Wilbourn, wife Kara Wilbourn, nieces, Kori Wilbourn and Kali Wilbourn, of Daphne, AL. Aunt, Janet Reeves (Doyle), of Fort Walton Beach, FL. Aunt and Uncle, Des and Paulette Crain of Natchez, MS. Cousins, Steve and Erin Crain, son Liam Crain of Folsom, CA. Ashley and Tony Grubbs of Los Gatos, CA. Ashley’s children, Bradley Cookus of New Orleans, LA, Maddie Cookus, son Grayson of Aliso Viejo, CA. and Jackson Cookus of Baton Rouge, LA. Her beloved little Dear Chihuahua, Bosco. Preceded in death were her grandparents, Wortham and Carmen Gaston of Jackson, TN and Russell and Mildred Wilbourn of Memphis.

Kathy graduated from Dominican High School, New Orleans, La, in 1984. She attended The University of Georgia where she was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority. She completed her education with a BS in Accounting from The University of New Orleans. Soon after graduation, she obtained her CPA license.

Kathy was brilliant and well respected throughout her profession as finance director in the hotel industry, from The Four Seasons properties to properties in Dallas, San Diego to Jekyll Island, San Francisco to Miami then on to Seacrest by 30A, in Florida. Kathy’s dreams were big and she believed in them. Her password was “Exceed”, no need to say more.

Kathy’s faith in God and mankind was undisputed. She was baptized at St Luke's UMC in Houston, TX and today, was closest to God at the services near the Shores of the Gulf.

“She was such a sweetheart” said everyone from her best friends to those who only knew her briefly. The ones she loved the most were her family, so it would stand to reason that Christmas would be her favorite holiday, always striving to give the coolest presents. Cooking in the kitchen with her family leaves all of us with cherished memories.

She was an incredible designer, whether it was decorating her home with the perfect furnishings or creating a beautifully delicious charcuterie board. She took great care to make it exquisite. She was an avid costumer and loved a fabulous celebration.

Her nickname, given to her by her Dad was, ”Taff”, They loved sharing their thoughts on books they had read and her dreams of one day managing a resort in Tahiti.

“It is hard to smile and not cry, but I’ll leave the smiling to Taff, she did it better than most,” her Dad reflected. How do you love someone with your whole heart? Well, she did and we all loved her the same way and always will.

Family, friends and others whose lives Kathy touched are invited to a graveside ceremony, 10:00 am, Pine Crest Cemetery, 1939 Dauphin Island Pkwy, Mobile, AL 36605. Following the service, there will be a reception at The Country Club of Mobile, 4101 Wimbledon Dr W. Mobile, AL 36608.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to Wounded Warriors Project or St Jude Children’s Research Center, through their website.