Kathryn Pokorski's Obituary
Kathryn “Katie” Pokorski, 89, of Memphis, TN went home to be with her Lord and Savior on May 31, 2012. She was born in Lamar, Mississippi, the only child of Winnie and Waverly Balfour. Katie graduated from Grand Junction High School in 1940 and from George Peabody College in Nashville, TN in 1944. In order to support our troops during the War, she worked in a USO office in Biloxi, MS, assisting married soldiers and their families with housing. It was in Biloxi where she met a young 2nd Lieutenant, the love of her life and her lifelong partner, Ernest Pokorski. They married August 10, 1945 and moved to Memphis shortly thereafter. Over the next 10 years, they had 4 children. During this time, Katie began working for the Memphis City Schools. She earned her Library Science Degree from Memphis State University, and was given the job of Librarian for Klondike Elementary School in Memphis. It was at Klondike that Katie’s lifelong love for learning, books reading and children was allowed to bloom. Being able to influence a young child to a life of reading was one of Katie’s greatest joys and rewards. She retired from the Memphis City Schools after 26 years. Katie and Ernie found their church home at First Evangelical Church in 1955, becoming lifelong members. Serving the Lord through Church activities was central to Ernie’s and Katie’s life. Katie served in many venues at First Evan through the years, including Pioneer Girls, Vacation Bible School, He Cares, and the Women’s Circle. She also donated her time and energy to the Church’s Library and Nursery. She and Ernie were active member of the Triple L Club, where they enjoyed Christian fellowship with other seniors. Katie also volunteered for Child Evangelism and was a participant in several Bible Studies including Bible Study Fellowship, and as a tutor for the Each One Teach One program, Meals on Wheels Program, and spent many years actively involved in the activities of the Neighborhood Christian Center. Katie’s love for the Lord was paramount in her life, as was her love of family. In her passing, Katie was reunited with her beloved husband, Ernie, who went to heaven on February 10, 2012. She is survived by four devoted children: daughter Kathryn Shemwell and her husband Earl, son George Pokorski and his wife Kenleta, daughter Melinda Kincade, and daughter Carol Fleming and her husband Mike. She leaves six grandchildren to cherish her memory: Jennifer Wade, Keyta Bassham, Marie Millikin, Laura Pollard, Steven Fleming, James Fleming, and five great-grandchildren: Austin Howell, Katie Howell, Keydon Bassham, Koltt Bassham, and Maddie Millikin. Her loving caregivers were JoAnn Crawford, Minnie Conay and Nettie Williams. Although Katie and Ernie were blessed through the years to travel to many wonderful places, she was happiest when she was surrounded by her family and home. Katie loved life and lived it to the fullest. She leaves us with many special memories as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and dear friend. She will be missed by all who had the privilege to know her, but we are reassured that she is happy in the arms of our Lord. In lieu of flowers, you may send a charitable contribution to the Neighborhood Christian Center. Visitation will be Monday, June 4 from 2-4 p.m. at Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, followed immediately by the funeral at 4 p.m. with burial to follow in Memorial Park Cemetery Memorial Park Funeral Home, “Behind the stone wall”, 901-767-8930. Condolences may be offered at www.MemorialParkOnline.com
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