Laura Antoinette "Toni" Kratt

1943 - 2023

Laura Antoinette "Toni" Kratt
January 18, 1943 - February 26, 2023
Charlotte, North Carolina - Laura Antoinette "Toni" Kratt died Sunday, February 26, 2023. She was born January 18, 1943, in Charlotte, NC to Lucy and Emil Kratt who named her after her grandmothers. Known as "Toni" by family and friends, and as Laura, professionally in her years practicing law.
As a youth, she thrived on family, friends, pets, church, music and school. In 1952 her family moved to rural Sardis Road where she found her natural and spiritual home, roaming the pastures, woods, creek and barnyard, playing with animals and family pets. Toni had a favorite dog, Freckles, and goat, Nellie. She always treasured three particular summers of her youth, made possible through her church, Myers Park Baptist: Brevard Music Center and Westminster Choir College. Music was key to her life. She graduated from Myers Park High School where she played basketball and sang in the school chorus. Toni entered Randolph-Macon Woman's College in Lynchburg, VA, where she was active in campus life, sports, and music programs, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology, minoring in Voice. In the summer of 1964, she traveled by car throughout Europe with two Charlotte friends, then took a position at Harvard Medical School in Boston. She was employed in the lab of Dr. Joseph Murray who had led the medical team performing the first successful kidney transplant. During the early 1990s, Dr. Murray received the Nobel Prize in Medicine for that pioneering work.
Toni returned to North Carolina where she earned a Master of Arts in Teaching in Biology, and taught at Irwin School of Fort Bragg, Fayetteville, NC and then at Meadowbrook High School near Richmond, VA. She entered Wake Forest University Law School where she served as an editor of the Law Review, graduating in the top 10% of her class when women were barely welcomed in the work force in 1974. Toni returned to Charlotte and opened a law office with John J. Parker III, later joined by Neil C. Williams. During those years she was very active and held office with the Mecklenburg County Bar, the NC Bar Association, Zonta Club of Charlotte, Women Executives and PEO.
In 1981 she left private practice to join the Charlotte City Attorney's Office where she spent the rest of her professional career. Her work with the city primarily involved public arts spaces and real estate matters. There Toni was fortunate to meet George Elam, a long-time city employee whom she married in 1986. She enjoyed a close, loving relationship with her stepdaughter, Pam. For years, Toni and George enjoyed canoeing, camping, and several extended trips to the Southwest and across the United States. She made George's trek on the Appalachian Trail more endurable by bringing food, encouragement and hugs along the way. In 1994 she became involved with the Education for Ministry (EFM) sponsored by the Episcopal Church, and remained with that ministry for seven years, in Charlotte and Pocatello, ID. In 1997 they moved to Pocatello where George earned a PhD at Idaho State University. While there, Toni engaged in a new pursuit and personal passion of researching her family's genealogy. She followed family history and detailed an account of centuries of ancestors, including photos, court documents, and stories from counties, states and countries. To her family she gifted copies of her work in book form. Upon returning to Charlotte in 2002, she resumed work at the City Attorney's Office while George taught at UNCC. They both left the work force in 2004 travelling to England, Scotland, Alaska, New Zealand and Australia. In 2008, they welcomed granddaughter, Ava Bradford who has added great joy, delight, and richness to their lives.
Toni never wavered in her deep love of family, friends, pets, the natural world, classical and bluegrass music, good books and things of a spiritual nature. A lifelong member at Myers Park Baptist Church, she served as deacon, Sunday School teacher, choir and committee member, including chairing the 50th Anniversary Celebration in 1993. She felt blessed with many deep, abiding relationships, including those with many generous friends; as well as siblings who cared for her and welcomed her into their lives. She felt that these relationships made her life rich beyond imagination.
Toni is survived by her beloved husband, George Elam; cherished stepdaughter, Pam Bradford and her partner, Michael Akers; her precious granddaughter, Ava Bradford; her dearly loved brother, Ted Kratt and his wife, Cynthia Hyatt Kratt and her sister-in-law, Mary Norton Kratt. Also surviving are her nieces and nephews, Bill Kratt and his wife, Cathy, Laura Kratt, Hunter Kratt and her husband, Mark Skinder, Allison Kratt, David Kratt and his wife, Sara, Hank Kratt and his partner, Nancy Wright, Charlotte Dean and her husband, Peter, and John Kratt and his wife, Meredith. She is also survived by her great nieces and nephews, Jacob Kratt, Ethan Kratt and his wife, Sophia Lajara, Cedar Kratt, Eli Kratt, Gus Winiker, Toni Winiker, Woody Taylor, Mills Kratt and her fiancé, Drew Hedrick, Georgia Kratt, Lexy Kratt, Julian Dean, Clara Dean, Luna Dean, Ted Kratt and Lucy Kratt. Toni held them all close to her heart. She was predeceased by her parents and brothers, Henry Kratt and Jim Kratt.
A celebration of life will be held 2:00 PM on Saturday, March 25, 2023, at Southminster Retirement Community. The family will receive friends following the service.
Memorial gifts may be offered in memory of Toni to Southminster Community Fund, 8919 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28210 or Myers Park Baptist Church, Attn: Sunshine Fund, 1900 Queens Road, Charlotte, NC 28207.
Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.