Katherine "Kathy" Taylor Allen, 71, of West Columbia, died Friday, December 22, 2017. Born in Belton, SC, on October 15, 1946, she was the daughter of the late William Lester and Marie Estelle Taylor Allen. Kathy was a very strong and independent woman, who loved her friends and family, especially her grandchildren.

Survivors include her two daughters, K. Michelle Kirby (Sheldon) and Marie R. Brinkley (Rodney); six grandchildren, Ashlyn, Grayson, and Makayla Kirby, Isabella, William and Elizabeth Brinkley; and a brother, David T. Simmons.

The service for Ms. Allen will be held 12 o'clock, Wednesday, December 27th, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia. The family will receive friends following the service at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the National Kidney Foundation, 508 Hampton Street #200, Columbia, SC, 29201, or to the Diabetes Association, 107 West Park Blvd, #200, Columbia, SC, 29210. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.