Kate Horner Kirksey Johnson

Kate Horner Kirksey Johnson, 61, of Morganton peacefully passed away at home surrounded by her loving family on Monday, February 25, 2019. She had courageously and admirably battled cancer for the last 9 years. Born in Burke County, NC on August 17, 1957, she was the daughter of Barbara Ostenkamp Kirksey Underwood (Raymond) and the late Dr. William Albert “Bill” Kirksey, Jr.

In addition to her mother, Kate is survived by her husband of nearly 40 years, James “Joe” Johnson; son, Michael Johnson (Alysia) of Reston, VA; daughter, Laura Johnson of Morganton; grandson, Aidan Johnson; sister, Marie Kirksey Riggs (David) of Fuquay Varina, NC; and brother, William Albert Kirksey, III (Marcy) of Midland, MI. Each of these family members, countless nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews and friends all adored Kate.

Kate’s passionate love for and enjoyment of her family and friends, her zest and fascination for life, of people and with everything in creation were truly remarkable and contagious. She had an admirable gift for beholding the beauty that exists in all people, in all things, and she lived in the precious present. She especially loved birds, horses, plants, the mountains, the ocean, music, art, travel, documentaries about people and places all over the world. Her work life includes managing at Judges in Morganton, serving as a parent-child educator at FIPP and executing ads research for Google.

Kate was preceded in death by her father and her brother, Robert Gresham Kirksey.

Services and a time of celebrating will be held at 2 p.m. on March 9, 2019 at the Hallelujah Arena, 735 Hopewell Rd, Morganton, NC 28655.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hope Chest for Woman in Western NC.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.