Mary K Edgemon

The most treasure parts of her life were her family and church. She took great pride in being the best homemaker, wife and mother possible. Kathy followed her husband to many locations during his working career and gave him her full support, resulting in them residing in seven different states during the last 68 years. She played a major role in guiding their two sons to become Eagle Scouts, completing their college education, becoming successful in their business careers as well as raising their own families. Kathy was a longtime member of St. John United Methodist Church and the last several years as a member of Ooltewah United Methodist Church.

As a testimony to the respect of her family, the following was recently written by her granddaughter, Ashlee:

“Mary Katherine Edgemon is an accomplished wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She has spent her life fostering a home of patience, order, love and comfort. She is my grandma and she is a clear role model. Through her diligent and tireless acts as the matriarch of our Edgemon family, she has taught me the importance and beauty of building a life from the nucleus of your home first – that family is important above all else and that the grace of a woman is demonstrated most strikingly in the way she tends to her home, spouse, children and community. She will forever be humble and would never willingly enter the spotlight – however much it is deserved – but her quiet, tender and gentle service and love has been a hallmark in my upbringing and something I admire beyond expressible depths. When I look at her, I see love, I see style, I see wisdom, I see accomplishment and I see the image that is fascinating – not because of her political power or her famous works of literature or her life in the media limelight – but because she has spent all of her days entirely committed to upholding the values of honor, kindness, generosity and love in her home every single day of her life without expectation of medal, badge or award in return. I am thankful that her influence over our family will flow down to my daughter and I hope I can provide half the example that my Grandma has for me. I am ecstatic to share this legacy with my daughter so she, too, can stand with me in fascination of this amazing woman.”

Kathy is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 68 years, Dillard; sons, Randal (Karlene) of Greenwood, IN and Steven (Angela) of Woodbridge, VA; five grandchildren, Randal Jr. (Emily), Ashlee (Collin) Wasmund, Kyle (Tracey), Kelsey (Craig) Blankenship and Klint; six great-grandchildren, George and Eleanor Edgemon, Fiona Washmund, Riley and Asher Blankenship and Eilana Edgemon; sister, Judy Latham; sister-in-law, Alfreeda Edgemon and brother-in-law, Deward Edgemon.

Funeral services will be held at 6 PM Sunday, February 13, in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Dwight Kilbourne officiating. A private family burial will be at the Chattanooga National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to St. John United Methodist Church, 3921 Murray Hills Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37416, the Ooltewah United Methodist Church, 6131 Relocation Way, Ooltewah, TN 37363 or to your charity of choice in honor of Kathy.

Please visit www.chattanoogavalleyviewchapel.com to share your memories of Kathy.

The family will receive friends from 4-6 PM Sunday, February 13, 2022 at the Valley View Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 7414 Old Lee Highway, Chattanooga, TN 37421.