Katharine Walker Fernback

Katharine Ingles Walker Fernback died at her home in Durham, NC on February 24, 2026 after an extended illness.

Kitty was born on October 29, 1940 in Beckley, WV, to parents Alfred Jones Walker, Sr. and Elizabeth Hill Walker. She graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley and from Randolph-Macon Women's College. She and John James made homes and raised their sons in Newport News, VA, Beckley and Charleston, WV, Vienna, VA and Long Valley, NJ.

Kitty had a successful career as a college admissions officer, holding positions at Drew University, Georgetown University, and Guilford College. Later she lived in St. Albans, UK, for 19 years, prior to returning to NC as her health declined.

Kitty was predeceased by her parents, her brothers Al and Palmer, her husband David Fernback, and special friend John Frey. She is survived by her sons John James, Jr. (Angela) of Raleigh, NC and Donaldson James (Susan) of Durham, NC, grandchildren Hannah, Lillian, Harry, Molly, and Walker James, stepchildren Jane Sowerby, Anna Baillie-Lane, Sean Fernback, Rachel Roxburgh and Matthew Fernback, as well as 11 step-grandchildren, three nieces, two nephews, cousins, and many other loved ones who cherish her memory.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 1:00 PM at Hudson Memorial Presbyterian Church, 4921 Six Forks Rd., Raleigh, NC 27609.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer's Association (https://www.alz.org/ )