Gwendolyn Kilpatrick

June 21, 1919 - April 10, 2015

Gwendolyn (Gwen) Kilpatrick, born June 21, 1919 to William Henry Volner and Vera Alice Jewell (Scott) Volner of Decatur, Tenn., went home to be with the Lord on April 10, 2015 in Moses Lake, Wash.

Mom was raised in and around Decatur and Scott's Hill, Tenn. where she attended school in a one-room school house finishing the eighth grade.

So in her late teenage years, Mom moved to St. Louis, Mo. in search of employment. She worked in St. Louis until she met and married our dad Raymond Kilpatrick. As World War II ensued, Mom stayed home while Dad served our country in the Army Air Corps in the Pacific theatre.

Between the numerous moves and projects, Mom and Dad managed to bring five boys and one girl into this world. We were Mom's primary labor of love and commitment. No matter what the situation, mom always had our backs. When faced with the death of our brother Bobby and the passing of Dad within a few years, Mom stood the challenge of raising five kids holding the family together working as a waitress at Elmer's Restaurant. Mom was not afraid of work, a legacy she passed on to her children. Life was not always easy but we always knew we were loved and Mom was always there for us.

She did not attain great education or wealth but she taught us that life is not always fair, everything worthwhile in life takes hard work and commitment, honesty and perseverance pay off in the end.

Gwen was preceded in death by her parents, husband Ray, sisters Ty Gardner and Dee Reed, a son Bobby and grandson Andy. She is survived by brothers Allison and Bill Volner, her sons, daughters-in-law and daughter James and Sandy Kilpatrick, Janet Stolz, Stanley and Nancy Kilpatrick, Jesse Kilpatrick and Rodger Kilpatrick, as well as many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held on Monday April 27, 2015 at 1:30 p.m. at Pioneer Memorial Gardens. Arrangements are in care of Kayser's Chapel of Memories. Sign the online guestbook at www.kayserschapel.com.

The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thanks to staff at Columbia Crest Care for the love and care they gave Mom for almost seven years.