It is with a profound sense of loss that we announce the death of Katherine Graham Brimberry at the age of 59. Kathy lost her long battle with ovarian cancer Wednesday, August 17, 2016. She passed from this life surrounded by her family at Harbor Hospice in Beaumont, Texas.
Kathy was born on December 21, 1956, in Beaumont, Texas, to William Udell Graham and wife Joyce. She grew up in Vidor and graduated in 1975 from Vidor High School where she started a family tradition of performing in the Mighty Pirate Marching Band. In her life, Kathy married, twice, lived in Southeast Texas and Virginia, had two sons, Billy and Tuck, saw the birth of two grandchildren and was a successful working mother. Kathy’s drive and ambition led her to a career in banking and real estate – rising from probationary teller to independent mortgage banker to branch manager. One of her great joys was finding overlooked or underappreciated co-workers and helping them reach their potential.
Among her many passions, Kathy was an avid reader, gardener and artist who created beautiful mosaics treasured by her family and friends. As if life was not challenging enough, she was determined to master the game of golf and the growing of roses, her favorite flower. Kathy donated her time and talents to a number of efforts including The Giving Field on Liberty Street that provides organic fruits and vegetables to soup kitchens in the Golden Triangle. Her greatest happiness was always to be found in her family – her sisters she loved deeply, her sons she was so proud of, a treasured daughter-in-law and two beautiful grand children who brought laughter and joy into every part of her life.
In 2012, she was diagnosed with Stage III ovarian cancer. With the same determination as she faced single motherhood, career challenges and family relocations, Kathy fought for almost 5 years – gaining precious time with her family and friends. Many words could be used to describe Kathy, her life and struggle against cancer but none, individually or collectively, would do her the justice she deserves. She loved unconditionally; pursued her passions relentlessly; dispensed her wisdom freely; and displayed her courage with humility. Kathy lived and loved ~ ferociously.
Kathy is survived by her sons, Billy Yard and wife, Miranda, of Beaumont and Tuck Brimberry of Beaumont; sisters, Naomi Snider of Sour Lake and Darrell Guidry of China, Texas and Shelley Blevins and husband, Bryan Blevins, Jr., of Beaumont; grandchildren Trevor and Abby Yard; nieces and nephews, Oscar, Rachel, Chase, Emily, Kate, Lexi, Caleb, Kaylie, Graham, and Kaden; lifelong friend, Ruth Newton of Beaumont; and Kathy’s loving Yorke, Emmy.
The family greatly appreciates all those who cared for Kathy and assisted her during her battle with cancer, particularly Tracy Marlow, Jackie Bradley and all the caring and attentive staff at Harbor Hospice in Beaumont; Dr. Diane Bodurka and her staff at MD Anderson; her coworkers and supervisor at BBVA/Compass and the many friends and family who meant so much to Kathy during her all too short life.
A gathering of Ms. Brimberry’s family and friends will be from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Friday, August 19, 2016, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Her funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, August 20, 2016, at Broussard’s, with entombment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.
Memorial contributions in Ms. Brimberry’s memory may be made to The Giving Field on Liberty Street, 2715 Calder, Beaumont, Texas 77702 or M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, Texas 77210.
