Katharine Jones Ogburn

December 7, 1921 - September 5, 2018

Katharine Jones Ogburn, 96, died at her Apex home on September 5, 2018, of congestive heart failure. Katharine was born at her parents’ home in the Fairview Community of Apex on December 7, 1921. Her parents were Cary Braxton Jones and Bessie Sprinkle Jones. Her father, who had a sawmill business, died when Katharine was only thirteen months old. Her mother, an elementary school teacher, raised three young children on the family’s farm. By example and through necessity, Katharine learned strength, independence, and the value of hard work. Katharine attended Peace College (now William Peace University) in Raleigh. In 1944 Katharine married Gene Winton Ogburn and they had four daughters. Besides working as a homemaker, Katharine also worked in Apex for Holland’s Jewelers, The Dome clothing store, and Ace Hardware. She was a member of Apex United Methodist Church for sixty-five years, the Earnest Workers’ Sunday School Class, and a charter member of the Florence Holleman United Methodist Women’s Circle. Katharine was an enthusiastic Duke Blue Devils fan. She served many years as a Fairview Community Club board member. She had a long-standing interest in her Jones family heritage and was active on the Jones Family Reunion Committee. Katharine was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Frances Jones Jackson, of El Centro, CA. She is survived by her beloved brother, Cary Benjamin (Ben) Jones of Pittsboro, NC, and her four cherished daughters, Carol Jean Ogburn of Richmond, VA, Katharine (Kit) Irene Ogburn (husband Ron Walther) of Asheville, NC, Elizabeth (Betty) Ogburn Nelson of Burnsville, NC, and Dr. Cynthia (Cindy) Ogburn Donnelly (husband Tim Donnelly) of Apex. She is also survived by six granddaughters, a grandson, and four great- granddaughters. Katharine’s grandchildren are Debra (Debbie) Campbell West of Durham, NC, Susanne Nelson Korta (husband Chris) of Tallahassee, FL, Carrie Nelson Johnson (husband Ben) of Fairview, NC, Maria Nelson Simcox (husband Ethan) of Morganton, NC, Meghan Brooke Sanders of Lander, WY, Leslie Donnelly Lorbacher (husband Scott) of Apex, NC, and Warren Lewis Donnelly, of Medellín, Colombia. Katharine’s great-grandchildren are Olivia and Sophie Korta of Tallahassee, FL, Stella Johnson, of Fairview, NC, and Ida Simcox of Morganton, NC. A fifth great-granddaughter to be named Aubrey Lorbacher is expected in September. Katharine is also survived by four nieces and two nephews. Surviving nieces and nephews are Susan Jones, Mary Linda West, Janet Bell, Elisabeth Thornton, Cal Ogburn and Jim Riley. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Apex United Methodist Church, 100 South Hughes Street, Apex, NC 27502, or to a charity of choice. The family gratefully acknowledges the many acts of kindness shown to Katharine by her church family and other friends. We appreciate every call, visit, card, and gift. Weekly meals provided by the Apex United Methodist Church Food Ministry were a continuous source of support for many months. The family has truly been blessed by Katharine’s long and active life, and we have been blessed, too, by many supportive family members and Katharine’s special circle of friends. Katharine’s daughters thank the caregivers from Twins Loving Care, especially Cindy Hill, with whom their mother formed a special bond. We are also grateful to Transitions LifeCare nurse Elizabeth Derjan, who always provided gentle care and loving support. Katharine was also supported by companions and caregivers Pat Utley, Trice Cox Robertson, and Gail Burwell. She loved them all dearly. A Celebration of Life service will be held at Apex United Methodist Church on Saturday, September 8, 2018, at 5:30 p.m. Following the service, the family will receive guests at the Crossroads annex, adjacent to the sanctuary. A private interment will take place at Swift Creek Baptist Church Cemetery, Raleigh.