Catherine (Oehmig) Stone

Catherine Oehmig (Kitty) Stone, known and loved in Chattanooga and on Signal Mountain, died on December 31, 2018.  She was 92 years old.

Kitty was born in Chattanooga on May 18, 1926 to Edward West Oehmig and Catherine Wade Newell. Her grandparents were Dr. Dunbar Newell and Mary McVea Newell, and William Gallup Oehmig and Ruth Daniel Oehmig.

She was raised on Missionary Ridge and started her education at Missionary Ridge School. She graduated from the Girls Preparatory School where she was voted “Most Active in School Affairs.” She entered Sophie Newcomb College in New Orleans, LA, but transferred to and graduated from the University of Chattanooga (now UTC), where she was a member of the Chi Omega sorority.

On November 22, 1952, she married the love of her life, Dr. Harry Alfred Stone, who predeceased her.

Prior to her marriage, Kitty worked as a Professional Field Director for the Girl Scouts.  She enjoyed camping activities and developed a love for swimming that she kept for the rest of her life.  Her camp name was “Tohee.”  When her children were in school, she taught kindergarten at Trinity Woodmore Methodist Church for several years.

Kitty was an active community volunteer and served on the board of directors of several organizations including The Children’s Home (2 years as President), the local chapter of the Audubon Society, and the Hamilton County Rescue Squad.  She was especially proud of being the only female board member of the Chattanooga Air Pollution Control Board, which successfully developed a plan to clean up the polluted air that existed in Chattanooga during the 1960’s and early 1970’s. She also enjoyed serving on the Cotton Ball committee.

She was a member of First Presbyterian Church and cherished her many active years of attendance and service there.  She taught children’s Sunday school classes and belonged to a circle study group. In recent years, as her mobility declined, she attended Wayside Presbyterian Church and Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church, and took great joy in the services and the friends she made there. She cherished summer services at The Little Brown Church in Walden.

Kitty drew inspiration from the natural beauty around her and particularly enjoyed flowers of just about every variety and wild song birds.  She was an avid gardener and gifted arranger of flowers.  She derived great pleasure in preparing arrangements as gifts.  She could identify many wild birds by their songs, the wood thrush being her favorite.

Kitty enjoyed social membership in several garden clubs.   She also belonged to the Mayflower Society and was active with Daughters of the American Revolution for many years.

Kitty is survived by her three loving children: Harry A. Stone, Jr. (Leslie) of Salt Lake City, UT (sons, Harry and William), Douglas M. Stone (Joan) of Greensboro, NC (daughters, Martha, Catherine and Frances Edge, married to Carl), and Gertrude O. (Trudy) Stone, MD (Stephen Humble, MD) of Nashville, TN (sons James, married to Michelle and Stephen, engaged to Callie).

Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, Wayside Presbyterian Church, Hospice of Chattanooga or the charity of your choosing.

The family is deeply appreciative of the care provided by Hospice of Chattanooga over the past 3 years and of the caregivers who assisted Kitty and became her companions in recent years.

Visit www.heritagechattanooga.com to share condolences and view the memorial tribute.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, January 7 at First Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga, preceded by family visitation at the church from 9:30-11:00 AM.  Family members are invited to the interment at Forest Lawn Cemetery following the memorial.

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