"Who are your people?" Those were her opening remarks when Kathryn Cannon received the Columbia College Alumnae Distinguished Service Award in 2007. But how can we say who our people are? They are those who we treasure, those we love and who love us, and all of those with whom we surround ourselves. So please allow us to share who was so important to our mother.

Kathryn Inez Verdery Cannon was born July 27, 1933 in her home on a dairy farm 3 miles from Orangeburg, SC to John Holliday and Nan Blackmon Verdery. She met the love of her life, Jim Cannon, her junior year at Orangeburg High School. Their romance continued while he served in the Navy through frequent countless letters and rare but cherished visits home. After her college graduation and his honorable discharge they married on June 5, 1956 and set up housekeeping in Spartanburg. She earned a Ph.T degree from Wofford College (Putting Hubby Through) for stocking the larder while our dad earned his degree. Through 63 years of marriage, they raised three children and one regal canine. She stayed at home while raising us, making sure that we had everything we needed to become our best. Second only to her gift of her love to us was her gift of the love of reading. We thought everyone had a mom like ours, but it wasn't until we were adults that we realized how exceptional she was and how blessed we were.

Mom cherished the friendships of her high school classmates her entire life, as she organized many class reunion weekends for the OHS Class of '51. Some classmates shared that Mom's efforts were the key link that strengthened the bonds that kept them in close contact their entire lives.

Mom started Columbia College in 1951 and graduated in 1955 and loved every minute. We grew up hearing the stories of legendary collegiate hijinks with her roommates and life lessons learned from her treasured professors. Her love and dedication to her alma mater continued throughout her life with countless hours of volunteer work through the Columbia College Alumnae Association. She served as president of Alumnae Association from 1987-89 and on the Board of Trustees from 1992 - 2004.

In their empty nest years, Mom and Dad could be found cutting a rug on most Friday and Saturday nights with their dance club friends or traveling the country for our dad's naval reunions.

No matter where she lived, she always enjoyed playing bridge and making many friends, and belonged to the Springfield Bridge Club for over 40 years.

Mom loved every friend she made, but no one mattered more than her family, past and present. She was a wealth of knowledge of the story of her families' people, from the important events to the anecdotal stories that brought them to life.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband, parents, and brother, Walter Edwin Verdery and her treasured hound, Rebel Cannon.

Mom spent her last days under the warmth of her favorite Columbia College blanket, surrounded by the ones she loved most - her son Billy (Brenda), her daughter Nan (John), and son Jimmy (still available); grandchildren Kathryn LaFitte with Nick Gentry, Charlton LaFitte (Jennifer), and great-granddaughter, Cora Ann LaFitte.

Memorials may be made to the Columbia College Loyalty Fund.

Love to all and thank you for reading.

The service for Mrs. Cannon will be held at 11 o'clock, Wednesday, January 15th, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia, with visitation to immediately follow. A private burial will be held in Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Orangeburg, SC.