Kathleen Waller

Kathleen “Kitty” Waller was born on February 16, 1930, in Kemper County, Mississippi, to Bessie Lee Emerson and Cuba McCoy Chisolm. The second oldest of eight children, she left school at age eleven after completing sixth grade to work as a farm laborer, helping to support her family by picking cotton and harvesting crops.

At 18, Kathleen traveled to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, with her one-year-old nephew after his parents migrated there. She found work as a laundry worker and sent her modest earnings home to support her family and help finance their relocation to Pennsylvania.

In 1953, she married Edward Cammack. Though their union was brief and childless, she later met and married James Purcell Waller in 1956. Together, they lived in Reading and Philadelphia before settling in Harrisburg in 1957. Their union was blessed with eight children: James Cuba, Bessie Darlene, Logan Junior, Nellie Jean, John Allen, Martha Lucille, Robert Shaun, and MaryTraci Trenette. They also assumed guardianship of their granddaughter Amy.

A devoted woman of God, Kathleen was often seen with her Bible in hand. Deeply influenced by the spiritual guidance of her grandfather, she lived a life of servanthood modeled after Jesus Christ. As a member of Lingo Temple (now Lingo Memorial COGIC), she raised her children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Her humble spirit and reverence for God were evident in every interaction she had. It served and still serves as a model that her children can follow.

Kathleen was an amazingly thrifty homemaker with the power to truly make a dollar stretch. She enjoyed couponing, going to yard sales, and flea markets. She often commented on how her education had been stolen from her. She knew the value of education, its opportunities, and its power to shape lives for the better. She would often take on odd domestic jobs to save money so her children could attend private school. Although she never obtained her high school diploma, her many sacrifices throughout the years paved the way for her children and grandchildren to matriculate through higher and advanced levels of education and succeed in various professions, including educators, doctors, trade workers, psychologists, nurses, entrepreneurs, service members, and civil servants.

She had a remarkable ability to make every child feel like her favorite, and her tender heart and unconditional love made her a mother figure to many. She was always willing to give her last dime or the shirt off her back to help others. Family was her joy, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and she always made time for her children. However, everyone knew not to bother her when her stories came on.

When asked by one of her grandchildren for words of wisdom, she shared: “Be kind to each other. Love each other every day. Don’t be angry. Turn anger into joy. Keep the peace. And just show love to each other. That’s all I can tell you. And pray! Don’t forget to pray because God is watching us.”

Kathleen was preceded in death by her husband, James Waller, on July 30, 2002, and her son, Logan, on September 6, 2019. On May 10, 2025, she peacefully transitioned to eternal rest, surrounded by the love of her family, including her daughter Darlene and son-in-law Earl, with whom she had lived and been lovingly cared for over the past thirty years.

She is survived by her sister, Margie Williams; her seven children: James, Darlene, Nellie, John, Martha, Robert, and Traci; 24 grandchildren; 52 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.

Kathleen leaves behind a powerful legacy of love, kindness, sacrifice, and faith.

Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers.