Katherine McAdams

Katherine McAdams was born Feb. 13, 1930, in Clearwater, Florida, the only child of Clyde James Kilgore and Leslie Bailey Kilgore. She died April 1, 2014, at her home in Charlotte of lung cancer.

She graduated from Central High School in Charlotte and Women's College in Greensboro. She taught home economics at Meadow High School in Benson.

She married John Luther Gould Jr. July 18, 1953. She and Jack raised their three daughters in Charlotte. Summers were spent at their Lake Norman house, swimming, sailing and water skiing. Katherine and her daughters were active in Girl Scout Troop 280 at Westminster Presbyterian Church. She led trips to Disney World, sailing in the Bahamas, canoeing in the Everglades, Quantico Boundary Waters and local rivers and lakes. She was widowed Jan. 31, 1972.

Katherine married Rick McAdams Nov. 26, 1977. Together they enjoyed snow skiing and traveling. As members of Friendship Force and Sister Cities they visited Germany, Denmark, New Zealand and Kyrgyzstan. Katherine was an active member of the Mecklenburg Historical Association (docent), American Association of University Women and Women's Circle at church. She was an avid reader and member of several book clubs. She was also a member of a Park Lanes bowling team for many years and spent many hours solving crossword puzzles and researching her genealogy.

She is survived by her husband James Richard McAdams, daughters Margaret Gould Johnson (Gene Johnson), Katherine Gould Bond (David Gower) (Jeffrey H. Bond) and Susan Gould Love (Douglas Love), step-daughter Virginia Lynn McAdams Thompson (John P. Thompson), step-son Richard Holt McAdams (Anna Maria Marshall), grandchildren Michael Scott Johnson, Jeffrey Wade Johnson, Alexander Joel Bond (Jessica R. Bond), Ian Gould Bond (Jessica L. Bond), Lindsay Laura Gould, N. Taylor Thompson, Joshua P. Thompson, B. Caleb Thompson, and great-grandchildren; Aiden Lukas Bond and Scarlett Rose Love. Katherine loved her many animal companions; Nellie, her horse, dogs; Lou, Max, Gretel, Belle and Francy and cats; Pansy, Sam and Moxie.

Thanks to the caring staff at Presbyterian Hospice and Comfort Keepers, especially Jennifer Mullins.

A celebration of her life will be held Sunday, April 6, at 3 PM at St. Stephens United Methodist Church, 6800 Sardis Road, Charlotte, NC. Donations in Katherine's memory can be made to the Hornets' Nest Girl Scout Council, American Association of University Women and Mecklenburg Historical Association.