Catherine Williams (Kay)

Born on July 8, 1942, in Spring Creek, Alabama, Kay proudly claims her spot as the sixth of eleven children, making her the quintessential middle child! As the family griot, she’s the keeper of all the family stories and secrets. If you want to know what’s happening in the family, Kay is your go-to person. She was also the “Boss” of the second group of siblings, often representing her parents at parent-teacher conferences.

Kay loves to dance, golf, bowl, and even ski. While she may have started out introverted and shy, she’s now gregarious, an instigator, and full of fun.

An avid reader and elegant speaker, Kay has been known to write a poem or two. But be careful what you ask her for! Her sister Pat once asked for help on a college paper and ended up learning new words like “anachronistic.” Tracey also learned the word “serendipitously” from her, long before Google was around!

Kay worked at the Cleveland Plain Dealer newspaper for 36 years, becoming the first Black woman to become an Advertising Account Executive. She was the President of her High School Reunion Committee for 25 years and a Real Estate Agent with her sister Helen. Kay and her husband George owned and operated two daycare centers.

Kay and her first husband Michael had two children, Tracey and Travis, and she inherited a son, Daryl, with her second husband George. She has eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.