Obituary: Wellington, Katherine Louise

WELLINGTON, Katherine

Katherine Louise
Wellington, 75,
St. Petersburg, Florida,
ascended to God’s Palace
around those who cared
for her on May 12th, 2012.

Katherine or affectionately known as “Kathy” was born on January 17th, 1937 in Spokane, Wa.

to the late Marjorie and James Reginald Wellington.

Katherine grew up in Los Angeles and Spokane during her youth and teenage years.

Katherine Graduated with Honors from Spokane’s John Rogers High School in 1955.

Katherine studied business and clerical communications at a trade school in Spokane.

Katherine completed several advance training courses for her job at Qwest.

Katherine excelled in Sports.

She played Basketball, Ran Track, and maintained a very healthy appetite for life, outdoor sports and activities.

As a teen Katherine worked for the Lerner’s Store in Spokane then after marrying and moving to Washington DC she worked for the CIA and Secret Service Departments as a data support clerk.

In 1968 she began a career at Pacific Northwest Bell in Spokane.

She developed a passion for doing well and was always very serious about her positions she held.

Katherine worked her way up to become a lead draftsman and a lead trainer for Qwest Engineering Dept.

(the Later Pacific Northwest Bell).

She retired in 1992 from Qwest and shortly after began a Real Estate Agent Career in Spokane which she continued in the Seattle / Everett areas with Century 21 Northwest until 1999.

Mom was an assertive board member of the Pacific Northwest Pioneers.

Always pioneering, Katherine was the first African American bank teller in Spokane in 1956.

Katherine was very active in the Spokane voter registration and political scene working very closely with the likes of Gov Dixie Lee Ray and Senator Patti Murray and others.

She was a precinct committee chairperson for her neighborhood / district in Spokane for several years.

Katherine is survived by two sons.

Kevin Jerome Smith of Bothell, WA.

and John Kerry Gholston of St. Petersburg, FL.

She is also survived by three granddaughters.

Shanyce, Alexis, and, Francheska.

Some of her favorite things: Favorite Poet: Maya Angelo, Favorite Female Artist: Nancy Wilson, Etta James, Favorite Male Artist: Nat Cole, Teddy Pendergrass, Favorite Song: Moody’s Mood, Favorite Jazz Artist: Grover Washington Jr. Katherine liked to travel and see new places as she leaves behind a host of friends in Spokane, Seattle, Portland, Atlanta, Washington DC, San Jose, CA and St Petersburg FL.

Katherine was an active member of the church in several communities including Calvary Baptist as a child then Bethel AME in Spokane, and most recent Genesis United Methodist in San Jose California.

A celebration of her life will be held at Spokane’s Bethel AME Church 645 Richard Allen Court, Spokane, WA 99202 on Friday June 1st at 11:00am and a burial will follow at Greenwood Memorial (Devotion Hill) at 2pm.