Kathryn K. Johnson, 98 of Vida, Montana, passed away at Aspen Meadows in Billings, MT on February 13, 2021. She was born April 18, 1922, in Jamestown, North Carolina, the youngest child of J.N. and Ida Jordan Kersey. She graduated from Jamestown High School as salutatorian and attended Jones Business College in High Point, N.C., where she was the first person in her class to be interviewed for a job—which she accepted. Before marriage she worked in the office of Silver-Knit Hosiery in High Point and later in Greensboro at Dixie Belle Textiles.
On October 1, 1946, Kathryn married Melvin P. Johnson of Vida, Montana at the parsonage of Mitchell’s Grove Methodist Church in High Point, N.C. They farmed in the Vida and Circle area of Montana from 1946 until 1976 when they retired from active farming; in 1981 they moved from the farm home southwest of Vida into Vida.
They always spent winters in North Carolina and Florida. Kay was a member of Mitchell’s Grove United Methodist Church most of her life and in her youth was the assistant pianist. She was a 4-H leader for several years and enjoyed reading, piano, baking and was a Gold Life Master in the American Contract Bridge League. Kay made delicious fudge & was often called the “Fudge Lady of Vida”. She also had a terrific sense of humor and loved a good giggle. She was a mentor and great example to many in her close walk with the Lord. She loved animals, especially cats, and always had a cat that owned her, the last one being Miss Priss.
Sharing and generosity were foremost in Kay & Melvin’s lives. Whenever you visited them or they visited you, you always left with baked treats, vegetables or other goodies. Kay and Melvin had a unique gift of gathering family and/or friends together. They hosted many breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and cruises for nieces, nephews and special friends. It was their great joy to share time together. On the cruises, niece Joy Hansen White, would delight them on talent night as she sang the Ray Boltz song “Thank You (for Giving to the Lord)” – making memories to last a lifetime.
Kay is survived by numerous nieces and nephews in Montana, North Carolina, and California, all of whom she loved very much. A niece, Jean Hansen Nedrud of Bozeman, Montana was very dear as she spent many summers on the farm with Aunt Kay and Uncle Mel. A great niece and namesake, Meri Kathryn Surrett (Nettel) of High Point, N.C. was special and niece Jan Hansen Wattles of Billings, MT, born on Melvin’s birthday, was their godchild.
Kay was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin P Johnson; parents; brothers; Leighton, D.L. (Dan), John and Jay, sisters; Nina Gladden Rollins, Chineta Hill, Esther Ingram, and Ada Kersey, nieces; Natalie Ingram Whitely, Peggy Kersey White; nephews; W.C. Kersey and Jerry Kersey.
There will be no services in Montana, but there will be a memorial video to share. Contact [email protected] after March 15. The family will hold a service on Saturday, February 27 at 1pm at the Mausoleum Chapel at Floral Garden Memorial Park Cemetery, 1730 English Road, High Point, N.C. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Jamestown Alumni Association, PO Box 1345, Jamestown, NC 27282, or to a nearby Humane Society.
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