Birth date: Nov 29, 1940 Death date: May 1, 2026
Kathryn Gobie Vowell, born Kathryn Ellen Gobie on November 29, 1940, passed away on May 1, 2026, at Baptist Hospital in Memphis, with her son holding her hand. She was 85 years old. Kathryn grew up in Miami, where her beauty and Read Obituary
I smile when I think of Momma Kathryn. I remember during my undergraduate years working as a receptionist at New Beginnings, and that’s where I first met Kathryn. She would come into the salon to get her hair done, always looking beautiful and fabulous. I always looked forward to seeing her and Byron because they were always so kind to me. Byron would be right on time to drop her off, hang out for a bit, and come back to pick her up. I started seeing them so often that our conversations and time together became such a special part of my life.
I remember one day they were heading to Houston’s for lunch, and Momma Kathryn looked at me and said, “Come on, I’m kidnapping you for lunch,” I looked around in shock thinking, Can I really go? Once I got the green light, I happily went to Houston’s with Momma Kathryn and Byron, and it became one of my favorite memories from that time in my life. It’s a story I’ve shared for years because that moment left such a lasting impression on me.
Right before I left for grad school, Momma Kathryn also took me to Books-A-Million, where she bought me a special journal that I still have to this day. Over time, our relationship grew so special that I started calling her Momma Kathryn. She had such a beautiful way of making people feel like family and deeply loved, and I’m so grateful I got to experience that firsthand. Thank you for being such a beautiful example, Momma Kathryn.
With love, Ashia
