Katharine “Katie” Oldham

RALEIGH Katharine “Katie” Oldham died June 9, 2016 after several years of declining health.   She was a 45 year survivor of breast cancer. She was born on October 9, 1928 to the late Katharine Klingman Powell and William Hill Jordan Powell.  Katie grew up in Oxford, NC, and had been a resident of Raleigh since 1965. Katie was preceded in death by her high school sweet heart and husband, Benjamin Lassiter Williams, and second husband Howard R. Oldham.   She was also preceded in death by a sister Mary Eliza Clark and a brother Edwin “Tuck” Powell. She is survived by her loving daughter and son-in-law Eva Williams Verlinden and Matthew Verlinden.   She is also survived by her brothers William Hill Jordan “Buck” Powell (Judy) of Denton, TX and Michael F. Powell (Shirley) of Jacksonville, NC.  She leaves behind her much loved nieces Paige Olive, Mary Clark Hale (Clint), Leigh Clark, Brooke Tant and Eliza Tant.   She is also survived by her dear friend Louise Hensgen. Katie was very funny and could find the humor in almost any situation.  She had some great expressions, our favorite being “Don’t pee on my leg and tell me it’s raining!” Katie worked for Kip-Dell Homes in property management for many years.   It was an ideal situation as her office was right next to her home, so she was always there when Eva got home from school. Katie was a very good seamstress, and a talented painter.  She started painting later in life, as did her Mother.  We feel fortunate to have her paintings hanging in our homes. She was a child of the Great Depression and loved a good bargain.  Many of the antiques found in her home were pieces that someone else might have overlooked.   She loved going to yard and estate sales with her sister and friend Louise Hensgen.  She was constantly rearranging her home to accommodate the treasures found on these weekly outings.  You never knew what would be found when Katie went “yard sailing”, and you only have to come visit her daughter and son-in-law to see some of the fruits of her labor.  She still liked to go out to “look” even after she needed a wheel chair.  Every Saturday, for as long as she could, she and Eva would go out on an adventure to just “look”. The family would like to thank the staff of Midtown Senior Living who lovingly cared for Katie for the last few years.  You treated her like family, and you’ll always be part of our family. We also would like to thank Transitions Life Care for their care and assistance during the last months of her life.  The support and care provided by this organization to the patient and family is a true blessing. A Celebration of Katie’s life will be held at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, 831 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh on Saturday, June 11, 2016 at 3:00 PM.  The family invites you to join them for a reception at the funeral home immediately following the service. Flowers are welcome, but we prefer donations to Transitions Life Care (Hospice) of Wake County, the American Cancer Society, the Wake County SPCA or the charity of your choice.