Kathy Watson passed away on October 7, 2024, after a long fight against cancer. She is survived by her sisters Maralyn Darnall Wilson, Judith Day Bercher, and her brother J. Frank Day III. Kathy is also survived by her step daughters, Ivy Watson and Ella Danielle Watson-Cooper, and Ella’s children. Having no children of her own, she embraced her nieces and nephews and loved being Aunt Kathy to them and all of their children: Dr. Charles H. Wilson, Frank Day Wilson, Dr. Thomas Randolph Perkins Jr., Kendall Day Perkins, Clark Day Perkins, J. Frank Day IV, Matthew Scott Day, Mary Laura Day, Robert Akira Watson, and Lili Watson. She is also survived by her dogs, Annie and Little Man, who were rescued by her and Kenny and spoiled like children. Kathy leaves behind hundreds of beloved friends with whom she shared joy, hilarity, and sweet memories. Kathy is predeceased by her parents, J. Frank Day Jr. and Mary Day, and her beloved husband, buddy, and companion forever, Dan “Kenny” Watson who passed on April 1, 2024.

Kathy attended the Brooke Hill School in Birmingham and Mississippi University for Women. She returned to Birmingham and worked for Avondale Distributors and Triton Stone Group. She was a member of the American Society of Interior Designers. Kathy had an innate sense of beauty and a flair for standout design in everything. She loved fashion and had a knack for putting together unusual and always beautiful ensembles. She had an especially keen eye that could capture figures and patterns in nature; often telling Kenny to stop the car so she could go back and photograph or pick up an unusual tree branch that would become her next show piece. She was passionate about art and loved hosting “pop-ups” in Birmingham to promote her artist friends, build unity amongst the artists, and encourage natural creativity in all of us. Kathy infused her art with the bits and pieces of things she loved, so there were lots of feathers, jewels, metal, and antiquity gloriously melded together. You were lucky to be gifted one of her beautiful lights, photographs, encaustics, or necklaces to cherish forever.

Kathy loved entertaining. There was no occasion too small for a porch party or gathering at The Garage Café. A beautiful sunset was good enough. She looked forward with great anticipation towards birthdays and all the holidays, planning and preparing for weeks or months in advance because entertaining was joy to Kathy. She always arrived first and you could hear her laughter before you even saw her. She loved gathering people together to share the moments, maybe because she always knew this is our most precious gift to each other.

Kathy’s heart was so warm and soft; she loved all humanity. She touched random strangers by her kindness. She was always so sweet and loving, looking for the best in herself and all people. She never wanted to hurt any person, and wanted to save every animal. Enjoying art, beach sunsets, good music, great food, and conversation with family and friends was a perfect day. Kathy lived her life with grace and happiness, and no regrets.
A celebration of life and prayer service for family and friends will be arranged to take place in Birmingham later in November. The family suggests donations to Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama, www.bcrfa.org.; Kitty Kat Haven and Rescue, www.kittykathavenrescue.org.; or Alabama Arts Alliance, www.alartsalliance.org.