Katherine S. Chatmon

Katherine S. Chatmon was born in Washington, D.C., on September 15, 1929, to William Henry Stokes and Hazel Virginia Fields. As one of her longtime friends referred to her, she was a ‘rare bird’ - born, educated and raised her family in Washington.

After graduating from Cardozo Senior High School, she trained to become a Registered Dental Hygienist at Howard University, was licensed in 1951, and enjoyed her career for decades. For most of her career, she worked in service to the District of Columbia Department of Health in the Bureau of Dental Health. In that role, she worked with DC Public Schools and city clinics implementing the in-school dental screening program and working with intellectually disabled students. From 1967 to 1968, she served as President of the National Dental Hygienists' Association. After leaving the DC Government, she spent time working in the dental clinic at the DC Jail and at a local medical clinic before she ‘permanently retired.’

She was married to her beloved Kenner Coleman Chatmon for 57 years until his passing in 2005. Two children came from their union, daughter Kendra Denice Chatmon and son Kenner Coleman Chatmon, II (deceased).

Known by many names – Mama to her children, Mom-Mom to her grands, Kitty to close friends, and Ms. Kitty to neighbors and acquaintances – she made the most of her 92 years. She traveled with her husband, and after his passing, she continued to enjoy local theater and out-of-town trips with her close girlfriends and travel group.

As she slowed down, she developed what her granddaughter jokingly called her “Telephone Ministry,” connecting to friends and neighbors by phone – many of them a few times a week – and sharing her wisdom (much of which came from her favorite TV show – Judge Judy). She also became known as “The Mayor of 17th Street” by staying on top of neighborhood happenings.

Kitty is survived by her daughter Kendra; four granddaughters, Kia, Korri, Kellie (Sheldon), and Aja; two grandsons, Kardan (JaTawny) and Kahriq; eight great-grandchildren, Alexis, Kardan, Isaiah, Kailynn-James, Kaicie-October, Aiden, Sheldon, III (Tre) and Spencer; one sister-in-law, Rose Morgan of Wilmington, DE; special friend Kim Askia; a host of friends, and her loyal feline companions Yaz and Yoshi.