Katherine Ann (Katie) Belew Gorham, daughter of George and Mary Belew, passed away at her home on Sunday October 20, 2019 at the age of 97 surrounded by her children and their spouses.
Visitation: 5:00 p.m. until to 7:00 p.m. Sunday, October 27th at Lake Shore Funeral Home
Graveside Service: 10:00 a.m. Monday, October 28th at Bosqueville Cemetery.
Memorial Service: will follow the graveside service at 11:00 a.m. at Bosqueville Baptist Church with fellowship thereafter.
Known as Katie by her friends and Granny by her family, she touched many people by living her love of Jesus Christ and having a contagious laugh. She attended Waco public schools and graduated from Baylor University in 1943.
In 1947 she moved to Cloverland, where she lived until her death. Katie was a member of Bosqueville Baptist Church for over 75 years. She taught Sunday School to many different age groups throughout her life and was superintendent at Vacation Bible School for several years. Katie was active in the community and her children’s schools including one year she was a member of 4 different PTAs.
Granny loved to spoil her grandchildren by baking cookies and cooking any dead, cleaned animal they brought to her house. She was game for anything. The grandchildren grew up on her farm with very few limits,which their parents found out in later years. The trampoline she purchased in 1970 still remains in good working condition. We estimate there have been 500 guests bouncing about 10,000 miles. How many of the Bosqueville Baptist Church young people she taught in Sunday School remember the all-night parties she hosted on New Year’s Eve? It was always a fun time at Katie Gorham’s house.
Over the years Katie hosted a book club and led several Bible Study groups where several members accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior. She created a special bond with so many people. Reaching out to the International Student and Scholar Services office of Baylor University, she became the U.S mother of several graduate students. Katie became a full-fledge member of Baylor Chamber of Commerce in November 1997 as a show of appreciation for allowing them to do service projects on her farm. She, together with Ruth and John Belew, contributed to the creation of the Belew Scholars Room in the Armstrong Browning Library on the campus of Baylor University.
Katherine Ann is survived by her children, Lucy Lee of Hamilton, TX, George & Sharon Gorham of Edmond, OK, Jim & Darlene Gorham of Waco, TX, and Dan & Kathryn Gorham of Fair Oaks Ranch, TX; her grandchildren (great grandchildren), Michael Wallis of Hamilton, TX (Trenton & Spencer), Chris &Kristin Wallis of Houston, TX (Garrett, Alexandra, & Katherine), Jason & Lela Wallis of Round Rock, TX (Jon, Lindsay, Dylan, & Lyvia), Anna & David Weston of Flower Mound, TX (John David & Drew), Joel & Christy Gorham of Lorton, VA (Chelsea & Jonah), Leah Gorham of Waco, TX, Andy & Emily Gorham of Bixby, OK (Kayla & Caroline), Jenny and Steve James of Highland Village, TX (Caleb, Carter, & Brenner), Emily & Josh Caltrider of Dallas, TX, and Mark Gorham of Austin, TX.; a brother, John Belew of McGregor, TX and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Katie’s instructions were that “instead of giving flowers,be purposeful of giving love to others.” Her favorite charities were Talitha Koum Institute, 1311 Clay Ave, Waco 76706; Mission Waco, 1315 N 15th Waco 76707 and the Katherine Ann Belew Gorham Endowed Scholarship fund at Baylor University established by Chris and Kristin Wallis.
Place of Service: Bosqueville Baptist Church , 7465 Rock Creek Rd.; Waco, TX 76708
Print Obituary & Condolences
So sorry to hear of the passing of your Mom.Thoughts and prayers are with the entire Family.
Love,
Nancy Mitchiner Wood
I am so sorry to hear about Mrs. Gorham. I was a student at Bosqueville ISD, I got pregnant at the age of 17, my son was born in April, so I finished out my Junior year at home, I was a transfer student and lived in Highland Park in China Spring, which was far. Mrs. Gorham would come to my house and tutor me and as a young mother she taught me a lot also, she would feed and rock my son while I did my studies. My thought and prayers to all of her family, she was a truly a Blessing to me and my son.
Renee Olvera Painter
Dear Gorham Family,
The Baylor Scott & White Hospice team is thinking of you at this time. Thank you for allowing us to care for Ms. Gorham and please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.
What a wonderful legacy she has left in her loving family.
Our God of All Comfort will continue to help each of you as only He can in your grief.
Loving, caring, praying,
JFB
Oh Katie I know you and Jesus are talking
Talking up a storm. Heaven has a special angel. I send my prayers to the family . What a wonderful blessing she was to everyone. I have a great treasure she gave me one of her Bibles with with wonderful messages . I wanted you to know how much that means to me. When I need her wisdom I just open it up. Katie say hello to my mom and dad.
I was part of a Bible study Katie taught in the 80s. I actually believe I was saved the first time I attended. I learned more About God from her teaching than probably any other source. Her love for the Lord & joyful life were a great inspiration & led me thru a lot of hard times to come. I can just see her sitting at the feet of Jesus now! I pray the Lord comforts you, heals your hearts & reminds you of all the sweet memories.
Katy, I remember you with love and gratitude from my days at Baylor University. I value your friendship and I am glad that we had a long conversation over the phone a few months ago.
My condolences to your loved ones….
Your friend from Kolkata, India
Ayati
Jim and Darlene,
I too was saddened to hear of your mother’s passing . I knew you mother , Jim for several years, but only through her insurance as her agent, but I knew she was a very fine lady and she always made me feel loved. From the other testimonials above, I see that Ms. Katie had touched many people in her life as a fine Christian Lady. God Bless her & you all , too.
Unfortunately , I am afraid I won’t get to attend any of the services for Ms. Katie due to my son-in-law’s critical condition with his battle with cancer. So sorry.
Cecil
Katie contributed so much to the foundation of our lives. Jean & Mills and so many other close friends are on the other side to welcome her. Peggy’s words about Jean when she died fit Katie so well, “The world is a much better place for her having lived, and a much lonelier place with her gone from it”. My condolences to all of Katie’s family.
Lucy Gorham and I were in Bosqueville School together long years ago.
There were kid parties at their home..Lots of fun!! Katie was a sweet kind and a Christian Lady.
My Family lived for awhile near their Cloverland Farm..
You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Jim,
So sorry to learn of her passing. I know she was a very special lady.
Jim & Darlene,, extended family,
My heart is heavy with thoughts & prayers to each & everyone of you at your loss. May GOD less all with his grace and loving arms ,
Katie Gorham was one of my favorite people. A special friendship from the time I was her pastor 50 years ago to today. Wish I could be there to celebrate her home going. Blessings to all of the family..
Katie was wonderful to me as a student at Baylor. She fed us, gave us a quiet place to study, and facilitated church attendance at Bosqueville. If I was able to predict, I would expect she will host many crowns in heaven. What a wonderful faithful woman of God. I will be praying for your family.
Katie had more than just one family. She has made many wonderful deposits in my memory bank. Love and prayers go out to her precious family. NOW…she really does know everything. May God bless the Gorhams for many generations to come.
I always heard my cousin Doris Smith talking about you and her daughter Melinda Horner and husband Pat were in church this morning after they came down for the service. They told me all about how they had been friends since they were 7 years old and how they were just like sisters. Sadly, Doris only got to live to just over 80 and I know Katherine must have missed her greatly–they’ll have a lot of catching up to do, but they have all eternity now. The video was so wonderful seeing her beautiful family. I loved the music but can’t place the title. If you have a chance, I wish you would let me know what it is!
Losing your mom leaves a huge void in your life. She lived a wonderful and full life devoted to family and others, but I know you will miss her terribly. Hugs to you, Lucy. Mary Crutchfield Gustafson
Ms Katie was a blessing to so many lives. She always had a smile and a word of encouragement. I enjoyed knowing her during the time my family and I lived and grew up in Bosqueville and attended Bosqueville Baptist. She loved kids and gave freely of her time, her home, talents and her funds when needed. I’m sure there is a party going on in heaven for her homecoming. God bless you all in your loss but know with confidence she is happy and well with Jesus!
Oh, the precious and lovely Katie Gorham! I was in her Sunday School Class at Bosqueville for many years and always enjoyed her teachings. We also looked forward to our yearly Christmas Breakfast at her beautiful home. She was so loved by all that knew her and she never met a stranger. Prayers and blessings for the Gorham family.