Katherine DeGraffe

Katherine DeGraffe was born October 25, 1947, in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and passed away peacefully on June 9, 2022, in Mount Vernon, New York. Kathy undeniably loved children and invested her life in their care, education, and spiritual development. She worked in early childhood education for about 40 years and spent another ten years after retirement providing childcare. Kathy enjoyed working with Girl Scouts, Leake and Watts Children's home, Queen's Daughters, and other organizations that enriched lives.

            Kathy was married to the Reverend Alfonso Benito DeGraffe for 20 years and was a dedicated minister's wife in the AME Zion Church. Additionally, Katherine was a faithful longstanding member of the AME Zion Church in New York and North Carolina. She was a devoted member of Simon Temple AME Zion Church when she returned to Fayetteville, North Carolina. Kathy was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Alfonso DeGraffe; her mother, Edna Graham; her father, Guy Graham; her sisters, Barbara Myers and Gwen Coleman; her brothers, Thomas Graham, Earnest Graham, and Guy Graham, Jr.; and her stepchildren, Kevin DeGraffe, Dewayne DeGraffe, and Esther Mack.

            Kathy leaves to cherish her memory her children: Tashima DeGraffe-Mitchell, Anita DeGraffe, Stephen DeGraffe, Valerie DeGraffe, Denise DeGraffe, Linda DeGraffe, Lisa DeGraffe-Williams, and Paul DeGraffe; her sisters, Nancy Graham, Minnie Lee, Evelina Hill, Letissa Graham, and Geraldine Powell; her brother, Robert Graham; her cousin Autumn Graham; and a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and "adopted" children.