Kathy June Guess Coley

Kathy was born on October 22, 1947, in Mount Pleasant, Titus County, Texas. She was the oldest of three siblings born to the late Murray Alton Guess and Pearline “Jackie” Wakefield Guess.

Kathy was a woman of deep warmth who found great joy in the simple, beautiful things in life. She loved working in her yard, leaving behind a vibrant testament of her care that can still be seen throughout her neighborhood. An exceptional cook, she was famous among family and friends for preparing homemade meals straight from her treasured, handwritten recipes.

As part of the many military families, Kathy grew up living in many places, Texas, Alaska, Guam, eventually settling on a beautiful farm home that her entire family cherished in Knob Noster, Missouri - Whiteman Air Force Base, graduating proudly with the Knob Noster Class of ’66 National Honor Society. Kathy also possessed a spirit of adventure, fondly remembering the experiences she shared traveling abroad to England and France alongside close friends. As her dear friend Vivian J. Draper beautifully shared, "Kathy was heaven's definition of a friend." Proverbs 17:17 “A friend loves at all times.” And that was always Kathy!

In addition to her parents, Kathy was preceded in death by her brother, Eddie Guess of Layton, Utah, and her sister, Leigh-Ann Myers of Bakersfield, California. To lose Kathy just one month after her brother Eddie is a profound heartbreak for those she leaves behind, but there is immense comfort in knowing they are together again. As written in Matthew 5:8, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Kathy is seeing God now, reunited in peace with Eddie, Leigh Ann Myers, and her beloved parents.

Kathy’s legacy of love lives on through her devoted husband of 60 years, James “Jim” Coley. She is also survived by her children, Michael and his wife Julie, and Tim and his wife Anna; her cherished grandchildren, Seth and his wife Shara, Joshua and his wife Ashley, Jessica and her husband Myles. She is remembered by her brother, JD Guess and his wife Lynn; her nephew, Ryan Guess and his wife Nikki; her great-nieces, Savannah and Summer; her sister-in-law Dee Guess; daughter Cindee; son Scott; and her niece KathyLeigh. Kathy also leaves behind a large circle of extended family and dear friends who will forever treasure her memory.

A memorial service to celebrate Kathy’s life will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, August 1, 2026 in the chapel of McLaurin Funeral Home.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 am until 11:00 am at the funeral home, prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Kathy’s memory to Transitions LifeCare (formerly Hospice of Wake County).

Online condolences and shared memories may be left for the family through McLaurin Funeral Home at www.mclaurinatpinecrest.com.

The staff of McLaurin Funeral Home in Clayton, North Carolina, is honored to be assisting the Coley family during this time.