Katherine H. Busby

PINE RIDGE - Granny Kitty Cat’s soul was received in Beulah Land early Wednesday morning, August 13, 2014. Born nearly 93 years ago in Green Sea, SC to sharecropper parents, Perry Davis and Ruby Lillian Goff, Katherine was the only surviving daughter with 6 brothers. She played basketball and worked in the library during high school.

Moving to Columbia before graduation, she met her soon to be husband, David Wyman Busby, as the taxi driver who drove her from the bus station to the new employer in 5 Points. Wyman suggested that she live at his Mother’s nearby boarding house. Eventually they saved enough to buy an old dairy farm with a two story house on Fish Hatchery Road in West Columbia where they farmed, loved animals, and raised two children. Katherine sold vegetables and eggs for tuition needed to attend Farrah’s Beauty School. After graduation she opened a shop in their home. In time she completed a GED and teacher’s certificate from Clemson University which enabled her to teach Cosmetology for many years at Columbia Beauty School while continuing to operate her own “Dolly House.” She was appointed to serve two terms as a member of the SC Cosmetology Board. At the age of 75 she received her Massage Therapist license and added this practice to the Dolly House.

Her Christian values, a never ending desire for further education, choosing the positive view, and a compassionate spirit contributed to the rich legacy she leaves to be treasured by all the lives she touched through the endless volume of her jokes, wit and spunky personality.

She is survived by a son, David Lee Busby (Sandy,) and daughter, Patricia Susan Busby, both of Pine Ridge; grandsons, David Michael Busby (Melissa) of Irmo, Karlton Earle Coffin (Lynn) of Hillsboro, OR; great grandsons, David Dmitry Busby and Jacob Kessel of Irmo; great granddaughters, Meghan Leigh and Tatiana Marie Busby of Irmo, Autumn Hailee Coffin of Portland, OR; a brother, Fred Davis Hardee of San Antonio, TX; sister-in-law, Marlys Hardee of Summerville, SC; nephews, Normal Edgar Hardee (Jana) of Ardmore, OK, Donnie Woodrow Hardee, Jr. (Beth) of Bagdad, FL and Lacy Lester Hardee, Jr. (Jan) of Loris, SC; nieces, Linda Dianne Phipps (Michael) of Georgetown, Phyllis Marie Rutland (Lonnie) of Loris, SC; and family friends, Ivy and Dale Gaskins. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by brothers, Donnie Woodrow Sr, James McKenley, Lacy Lester Sr, John Durham and Toler Webb Hardee; sisters, Alma Elneta and Willie Dane Hardee; and nephews, Ronald Alvin, Harold Davis and Fred Davis Hardee.

The burial service was private. A service of memory will be held Sunday, August 31, 2014 from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Platt Springs United Methodist Church in West Columbia, SC. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Platt Springs United Methodist Church, 3215 Platt Springs Road, West Columbia, SC 29170. Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.