Kathleen Hendrix Albers passed away in the early hours of February 4, 2024, at the age of 79, with her loving husband Jack at her side. Kathy lived with compassion for her family, friends, and those in need. Throughout her life, she opened her heart and house to many. She fostered small children and provided refuge to young mothers. She was active in Friends, Inc., and Grateful Life, among other charitable organizations. Her desire to extend love and care guided her life and served as an example to those around her.
Equal to her social causes, Kathy had a boundless sense of adventure. In the years after her children settled, the love she shared with her husband, Jack, flourished. They traveled back and forth across the country in a quest to visit all the national parks, coming close but as Jack says, “they just keep adding more.” This was followed by insightful planning to see a series of solar eclipses, including to the South Pacific where they came within view of Pitcairn Island. Months preceding her death, she and Jack completed an around the world journey.
She loved life in Huntsville, from the space program to football. Shortly after arriving, she would soon be converted by her friend Sally to an exuberant fan of University of Alabama football. Although none of her immediate family had ties to the university, her unwavering commitment to the team inspired her then pre-school aged granddaughter, Taylor, to call her “Bama.” A name she loved going by.
Kathy was born in Columbia, South Carolina in 1944 to parents Raymond Leslie and Willie May Hendrix. She attended the University of South Carolina and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Education in 1966. After meeting Jack through a mutual friend, Nathan Spell, husband of her lifelong friend Linda, the young couple soon relocated to Washington, DC, to start their life together, where they had Andrew and Alex. Shortly after the birth of their third child, Megan, in Huntsville, Kathy was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer and told to put her affairs in order. In her early thirties, she courageously commenced with the only treatment available, an aggressive trial chemotherapy protocol.
Throughout grueling rounds of treatment, Kathy raised their young children with boundless energy. At Christmas, rather than wrapped gifts under the tree, each child received their own Christmas showcase of presents, filling up the living room. The Easter bunny did not leave small baskets but laid eggs in elaborate nests built by the children in the yard the night before. There was always anticipation in the Albers house of “what will mom do next?”
Kathy’s emotions were easy to read. An ad on TV could bring her to tears. And, when she was happy the world knew it. Anyone who has become Kathy’s instant friend upon meeting her would know that a word could not appropriately define her character. She would want us to cherish the moments we have with each other and live a life as full of love.
Kathy was preceded by her father, mother, and sister Mary Asbill. Kathy is survived by her husband, Charles John “Jack” Albers; her three children, Andrew Shannon Albers and his wife, NuNu Chang, Alexander “Alex” Hendrix-Shine Albers, and Margaret “Megan” Flowers Ayers and her husband, Tony Ayers; her beloved grandchildren, Taylor Grace Ayers, Jacob “Jake” Ayers, and KiKi Chang Albers; her brother, Raymond Hendrix Jr. and his wife, Julianne “Julie” Eargle Hendrix; and as much loved nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held at 9:00 am on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 625 Airport Road SW, Huntsville, Alabama, 35802,followed by a Memorial Service at 10:00 am. Burial will follow at Maple Hill Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Friends, Inc., https://friendsinc.net/
