Katherine Shannon

Service Details

Family and friends are invited to meet in the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, for a visitation from 10:00 am – 11:00 am. 

A service celebrating her life and Homegoing will take place at 11:00 am with Pastor Jerry Cornett officiating.  Her interment will follow in Graceland Cemetery. 

   In Loving memory of Willie Katherine Shannon ~ Born November 19, 1949, in Memphis, TN,  to  John Luster Shannon Jr. and Eva Blanche (Caldwell) Shannon.  Kathy, as she was affectionately known by family and friends, passed away on Monday, March 2, 2026, in Racine, WI.

Kathy was named after her grandmothers, Willie Jane and Catherine.  When she was 2 years old, the family relocated to Racine, WI, where she attended Janes Elementary, Washington Junior, and William Horlick High Schools.

After high school, Kathy worked at Western Printing and Lithographing Company for several years, best known for publishing the Little Golden Books.  She next worked for American Motors Corporation.  However, health issues prevented her from continuing with the company when it was acquired by Chrysler in the late 1980s, at which time she retired.  She later worked as a stocker at various grocery stores in and around Racine.

Kathy loved to sing, dance, and attend events at the Racine St. Community Center.  It was at one of these functions that she met Conway Grandy, and together they had 2 daughters, Latonya and Latoiya Grandy.  Years later, she welcomed a son, Tawan Shannon.

Kathy had a heart of gold and never met a stranger.  She was a sweet, compassionate, and giving person.  In fact, she would give you the shirt off her back.  Her unique and sparkling personality, laughter, grin, and beautiful smile warmed your heart and made you love her even more.

Kathy was part of a large, loving family that she often referred to as her “Baby Babes.” Spiritually, she accepted Christ at an early age as a member of Grace Temple Church when it was originally located on 12th St. and again later in life when it relocated to Memorial Dr. as Greater Grace Temple Church.

She was preceded in death by Grand-parents: John L. Sr. and Willie Jane (Young) Shannon, Jack and Catherine (McFarland) Caldwell ~ Parents: John L. Jr. and Eva Blanche (Caldwell) Shannon ~ Siblings: Louise (McKinney) Jackson-Bullard-Woods and Melody Lou (Shannon) Smith-Tunstell ~ Uncles: George, Charlie, Murray, Wilbert, Joseph, & Preston Shannon ~ JT, Kermit, Calvin, Dennis & Eugene Caldwell ~ Aunts: Lucy B., Lorine, Thelma, Dorothy, Ethel Lee, Hixie, Elsie & Mamie Caldwell ~ Great Nephews: Donte and Kemarion Isaiah Shannon ~ Great Neice: Desiree Jackson

Kathy’s legacy of light and love lives on in the family who she leaves to cherish her memory  ~ Uncles: Claude and David Shannon of Memphis, TN ~  Curtis Caldwell of Columbus, OH and William  Caldwell of Ashland, OH, Aunts: Willie Mae Shannon, Thelma Sartin and Bernice Askew of Memphis, TN,  ~  Sallie Sylvester of Mansfield, OH ~ Siblings: Maxine Shannon, John L. Shannon III and Margaret (Jerry) Smith of Racine, WI and Gracie M. Shannon of Lewis Center, OH ~ Children:    Latonya (Shane) Gayle of Racine, WI,  Latoiya (Jonathan) Massie and  Tawan (Alexis) Shannon of Atlanta, GA ~ Grandchildren: Mahogany Ann, Noah Scott and Nigel Scott Gayle, Breanna Nicole Story, Brittney Monae, & Nialah Judea Grandy, Isaiah Kaleo Tanks, Tawan Jr, Tionne J, Tavon Jaden, & Truth Armai Shannon, Imani Saylor ~ Great-grandchildren: Kayden Samuel  & Kacey Segan Brown-Grandy, Breyden Ky’ree  &  Breon Dominique Thomas-Story ~ a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, family & friends.

Family and friends are invited to meet in the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, for a visitation from 10:00 am – 11:00 am.  A service celebrating her life and Homegoing will take place at 11:00 am with Pastor Jerry Cornett officiating.  Her interment will follow in Graceland Cemetery.