Katherine Shackelford

Katherine Shackelford, known lovingly as Kathy, was born in Greenville, North Carolina, to parents Leonard Williams and Johnnie Olivia Dail. She passed away surrounded by the deep affection of her large and loving family. Kathy was preceded in death by her devoted husband, William “Dennis” Shackelford, her mother, Johnnie Dail, her sisters Lou Nell Wiley and Susie Adams, her brother Junior Williams, and many other cherished family members.

She is survived by her sons, Adam and Robby Jones; her stepson, Blake (Nicole) Shackelford; and her sister-in-law, Betty Jo Fields. Kathy’s family also includes her sisters, Barbara Ann (Daniel) McMorris and Dora Lee (Dick) Viancore, and her honorary sister, Sue Stanley. Her greatest joy came from her grandchildren, Michaela (Chase) Johnson, Megan (Luke) Williamson, Makenna (Dylan) Morris, Cutler and Carly Jones, Shayna (Josh) Deal, Kadence and Corbin Shackelford, and her first great-grandchild, Bridger “Little Bug” Morris.

Kathy found joy in life’s simple pleasures. Crafting was her greatest passion; with focus and a heart full of love, she created gifts and keepsakes that became treasured memories for everyone in her life. She held a profound appreciation for the ocean, where the sound of the waves brought her peace and a sense of home. Some of her most cherished times were the quiet weekend getaways she shared with Dennis along the shoreline.

Above all, Kathy adored her family and friends. She had a gift for making others feel seen, welcomed, and loved through small, thoughtful gestures and her steady, kind presence. Her spirit will live on in the handmade treasures she left behind, in the hush of the tide, in the flash of a cardinal’s wing, and in every gathering of the family she held so dear. She will be deeply missed, forever remembered, and always loved.