Kaye Cantrell

Katie Alexander Cantrell, of Forest City NC (known by all who love her as Kaye) went home to be with her Lord on May 29th, 2023 after a courageous battle with brain cancer.  She was the daughter of the late Major Ross and Lila Mae Blackwell Alexander.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Evelyn Alexander Gowan and Betty Alexander Beheler.  She was a devoted wife, loving mother, proud nana, faithful church member, entrepreneur, civic volunteer, and overall servant at heart.  She was a member of the Westwood Heights Baptist Church in Shelby NC where she served in the adult choir, served as church treasurer, and taught children’s Sunday school classes.  

Early in life after marriage, Kaye moved to Germany where her husband Ron was stationed with the US Army.  She began serving in the brigade commander's accounting department, thus starting a career that followed her throughout life.  She served various roles in the business world before starting her own accounting business in 1981, thus serving the Forest City area for over 40 years.  She was a passionate advocate for the small business owner and a trusted advisor to many of her clients.  Kaye also served for many years with the Lions Club organization and served on the board of directors for several non-profits.   In her personal time, Kaye was a scout leader for both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, helped coach sports and cheerleading, and many other capacities in the life of her children and grandchildren.  She loved studying God’s word, spending time with her family, directing and decorating for weddings and special events, music and gardening.  She was actively working towards developing the “Cantrell Botanical Gardens, National Forest, Bird Sanctuary, and Biosphere”.  (A little family humor!)  She was quite possibly the reason for the phrase “Katie, bar the door” and was the fiercest advocate for her husband and family!

Left to honor and celebrate her life and memory are her husband of 57 years, Ron Cantrell, her son Keith Cantrell of China Grove NC, daughters Kerri Campfield (Trent) of Leesburg GA and Rhonda Jones (Johnny) of Spindale NC.  Grandchildren include Wesley Jones (Sarah), Alexis Nix, Alana Bridges, Carrie Jones, Kaetryn Carpenter (Christian), Alec Bridges, Bailey Hardin (Timothy), Alora Campfield, Caleb Jones, and Kashton Cantrell.  Great-grandchildren include Maddox Nix, Mason Tyson, Emerson Jones, Blakley Jones, John Wesley (JJ) Jones IV, and Hendrix Hardin.  She is also survived by one sister, Doris Alexander Dills (Daniel), three brothers; Joe Alexander (Cindy), Jerry Alexander (Mary), and Johnny Alexander (Patti), and many nieces and nephews.

Family visitation and a celebration of life service will be held Saturday, Jun 3rd 2023 at 12 noon at the Carolina Event and Conference Center, 376 Hudlow Road, Forest City, North Carolina

Visitation 10:00am until 11:45 prior to the service. 

A private family burial will be held later that afternoon.
 

Memorials in Kaye's memory  may be made to:

Carolina Foothills Foundation 

PO Box 336

Forest City, NC. 28043

The Padgett & King Mortuary and Crematory of Forest City NC is serving the family.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.