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Someone you should know about

January 29, 2013
by L Coney

Kathi, you are gone from this life, but you will not be forgotten.

I liked your sense of humor and quick wit.  You were one of the smartest women I knew, but you also had a great heart.  Caring about and for people made you perfect for public service.  I know you worked as a nurse in your first career, I am glad you found a second and third that kept you in and around Washington DC.

We worked together in Congresswoman Jackson Lee's office along with a lot of good people.  As Chief of Staff you took great care to make sure we got what we needed to do our work well. 

You did not meet strangers--or at least they were not strangers for long.  It would be nice if more people at the level you worked could be as much fun to speak with and as great at bringing people together.

I do not know if someone has thanked you for your work to raise funds for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial--but just in case--for us and the generations who will see it--THANK YOU!

Your life was well spent--you got a lot done.

Peace to you Kathi

What a great person and friend.

August 20, 2012

I knew i was one of her closest friends, turns out there were 2,851 other closest friends. It is simply amazing that Kathy had so many close and dear friends that all felt like they were the closest. My friend gave me the warmest and best hugs when we would greet, she would laugh that great laugh and start talking about the old days drinking red wine in the lobby of the Doubletree, the inaugural of George W. Bush gala that her and i attended, counting the 9 black people in the room of 2000 or the Black Caucus days. I learned about her love of the red soled shoes, and i learned of her love for her friends and family. What an unselfish person Kathy was. She would apologize if she came to Houston and did not make the time to see me, it was as if i was incredibly important to her. I was, and so was all of the other 2,851 best  friends. She made all of us feel like number one.

Darryl King

My Dearest Friend: Kathi Wilkes

July 25, 2012

Kathi Wilkes was my dearest best friend and an integral member of our family. She was my sister, always there for me and me for her, as we tackled life’s adventures-the ups and the downs for a period of time that spanned over 3 decades.

I met Kathi at Howard University. She was enrolled in the School of Communications; I worked there in the Office of Student Activities; had planned a ski trip for the Thanksgiving Break to Montreal, Canada and Kathi signed up to go. This was preseason time and the rates were more affordable for the students.  Unfortunately, at this time, there was no snow.  So imagine a ski trip with no snow.  It seemed like everybody was giving me grief…and then came Kathi to my rescue: consoling and armed with a bottle of spirits…She and that really helped me to recognize that I was not Mother Nature and thus, not in control of the weather…so Don’t Worry, Be Happy  -- that was one of the theme songs she impressed upon me.

From that time forward, we just connected with each other and remained consistently so, through out the years.

We had our wild and crazy single girl days in DC, travels, sharing in our professional conquests, friends, and associates. My marriage to Steven Watkins in 1987 added to her family a new brother and godchild, Reba.

She really lived her life to the fullest; constantly exploring America and the world. She and I went to Park City Utah and Vermont on ski trips: Italy and the Bahamas; as well as several trips to Martha’s Vineyard-just to chill. Time does not permit the stories I could tell about our adventures, but with Kathi, there was never a dull moment.

Lately, we had begun to mellow, at least I did.  We would get together and talk about our spiritual growth; what we had planned to do in the next phases of our lives; updates on her new found ventures, friends and conquests.

Finally, I remember Kathi as a strong Black woman, who was always loving, giving and helping others, almost to a fault.  She was truly a blessing in our lives.

Congresswoman Jackson Lee Statement Remembering Kathi

July 23, 2012


CONGRESSWOMAN SHEILA JACKSON LEE ANNOUNCES THE PASSING OF HER FORMER CHIEF OF STAFF KATHI WILKES

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee released the following statement regarding the death of her former Chief of Staff Kathi Wilkes:

“It is with great sadness that I announce the death of my former Chief of Staff Ms. Kathi Wilkes. Kathi started in my office as a Legislative Assistant and worked her way all the way up to Chief of Staff in my Washington, DC office.

“It is natural, even necessary, to grieve in times such as this, when a loved one or a close friend such as Kathi suffers such an untimely passing.  It is tough to grasp the reality that we will never see Kathi’s face again, or hear her voice.  But in these times, remember that The Almighty knows your pain of missing Kathi, and that her passing will not be in vain. 

“2Corinthians 5: 8 – ‘And we are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.’  Everyone speaks about Kathi’s kind and caring spirit, her vivacious laugh and I am confident that she is still with us in spirit, watching and caring for us all.

“Thank you, Kathi Wilkes for your energy and willingness to help others. It was through your efforts that we were able to get the first statue of an African American woman, Sojourner Truth to be placed in the Halls of the Capitol. It’s partly because of you that our Capitol is now lined with great symbols of past leaders such as Sojourner Truth and that statue now serves as an inspiration to the Members, staff and visitors who walk through its halls.  Kathi made America a better place for all persons of all races, religions, and backgrounds. Kathi was a mentor to hundreds, a role model to thousands, and a hero to many. Kathi was an original. I am glad to count her as a friend.

“Kathi Wilkes will miss be missed greatly. She will forever be in our hearts and may God bless her family and may she rest in peace. Kathi Wilkes leaves behind many friends including friends from Ohio she met in her hometown and school and the many friends in Washington with whom she explored the world with.”

A Gift Full of Love

July 21, 2012

On an overcast January day in 2009, Kathi visited our home saying she wanted my wife and I to go with her to pick up our Christmas present. Confused, I asked, "What? Where?" Kathi shared that she had made arrangements to get us a puppy! As I stood there shocked, she continued to share that he was 10 weeks old and fully registered with proof of liniage! We then drove to LaPlata, MD (getting lost along the way, of course). 

Upon arrival, having met the seller, we were asked to select which of one chocolate labs (of a group of about six) that were for sale. We watched the puppies closely and chose one that was not over- or under-active. Unbeknownst to us, we had truly selected the "pick" of the litter. 

On the way home, Kathi asked me to stop by Pet Smart where she proceeded to purchase a kennel, dog food, doggie pads, toys and a healthcare plan for our new pup for the next year! Returning home, I asked Kathi what we should name him. "Hershey? Coco?," I suggested. Not pleased with either name, she insisted, "I bought him for your guys, I get to name him." After a moment of pondering, she said, "SteBee! That's it-- a combination of Steve and Belinda!" And so it was done. 

Kathi knew that our daughter Reba was away in college and that we were going through empty nest syndrome. She also knew from previous convesations that Belinda and I had discussed getting a dog, but never acted upon it. She presented us with my "dream dog," a choclate laborador retriever. 

On October 30, 2012, SteBee will be four years old-- providing us with affection, mindful attention and impressing us more and more with his ability to learn. 

Thank you again, Kathi for uplifting us in our time of need, giving us a gift full of love on a Christmas to remember.  

The "BEST" Neighbor

July 19, 2012

GOD has called one of his angels home.  Ms. Kathi was my neighbor for 5 years and I must admit she was part of the reason why I decided to stay in DC.  She looked out for me and always kept me in the loop about the community.  Almost 3 to 4 times a week, I can count on sharing greetings or a good 'ol conversation with my 411/227/neighborhood watch friend.  I was out of town when the power went out a couple weeks ago.  Ms Kathi called me and told me what was going on and if it wasn't for her, I wouldn't have known the severity of the situation.  I was telling my family how blessed I am to have a neighbor like that!

I miss hearing McKinley (Mac) going off on the strangers passing by or waiting at the bus stop and Ms. Kathi telling him to settle down. Funny moments that should have been caught on tape.  My sister said Ms. Kathi is the only one she knows in the DC area who could tell me about myself and all I would say is, "I know Kathi, I know".  Her guidance came from her heart, so I didn't mind hearing the good, the bad and the ugly from her. 

Ms. Kathi was truly a great neighbor and I don't know if I would ever have another genuine, loving, respectful, courageous, humble neighbor like Ms. Kathi.  If I do, I know Ms. Kathi lead them to me.  I just want to say GOD Bless you Kathi, you will be forever missed and your life here on earth will be celebrated!  My prayers and deepest condolence to the Wilkes family and friends.

Love and Light!

A "True" Friend:

July 19, 2012

Kathi and I go back to Howard University, 1978.  Over the years, our lives continued to overlap in Hartford, Philadelphia, DC and Martha's Vineyard.  Anyone who had the pleasure of "experiencing" Kathi, never forgot her "big" personality, her laughter, and her wonder about life.  For me, she proved to be a source of constant, consistent friendship.   We laughed, cried, travelled, shopped and - shopped some more.  But, most of all, she had the courage to lovingly speak "the truth", even at the most diffiuclt of times.  She has been my "Big Sis", my travel partner, my mentor.   An all around "got it goin on Sista" (in her own words).

Kathi, may you rest in peace knowing that "you gave, much more than you took", and that you were a gift and a blessing in the lives of the folks you touched.....

Blessings,

Cynthia Gowdy

 

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