Ms. Kathleen Johnson, lovingly known as Kitten, was born July 7th ,1950 to the late Ine Johnson, Sr. and Annie Hice Johnson in Burke County, NC.
On January 5th, 2026, at Amorem Hospice in Hudson, NC she entered her eternal rest. She was proceeded in death by a sister Helen Bristol, a brother Ine Johnson, Jr, and Michael Johnson.

Left to cherish her memory is her beloved "son" Lesley Bailey (Jamila) of Texas, sisters Elizabeth Corpening of Morganton, and Marcella Callaway of Morganton. An aunt, Erma Hice Smith of Johnson City, TN and an uncle Oather Hice of Jacksonville, FL. As well as a long term companion Charles Burgess of Morganton. Also leaving behind to cherish her memory is 3 grandkids, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and church family.

Kathleen worked for 20+ years as a CNA at Gateway in Lenoir, NC before retiring, as well as time served in the Job Corps in her young days. She was an active member and loved her church, Restoration Outreach Church of Morganton, NC; where she served as Head Usher, was a member of the Praise Team, the Outreach Ministries, and the janitorial committee. She will always be remembered to her family as the vibrant, fun loving, dancing, spit fire that she was.

A homegoing celebration honoring the life of Ms. Kathleen Johnson will take place Saturday January 17, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. in the Corpening Memorial Chapel of McCain Funeral Home & Cremations, with Apostle Dr. Faye Reese Miller serving as eulogist; interment will follow  in the Hartland Memorial Park.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

The service will be live streamed on the McCain Funeral Home & Cremations Facebook page and YouTube Channel; the links are found below:

McCain Funeral Home & Cremations Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/mccainfuneralhome/

McCain Funeral Home & Cremations YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu4qb7IT7sO-Kc0BRs05J-A