Katherine Louise Clemons

Katherine Louise (Goldson) Clemons was born on July 10th, 1936 in Norristown, PA to the late James I. and Bertha Mae (Salter) Goldson. Affectionately known as Kitty, she was the 4th of five children: Doris Jones (deceased), Betty Lou Stevens, James I. "Jimmy" Goldson, and Milton "Manny" Goldson (deceased).
Her family were members of Siloam Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Niles. She was educated in Norristown school district.
Her older brother "Jimmy" joined the Army and while serving in the Korean War, he met a very distinguished fellow soldier, named Arthur L. Clemons, on a train in Germany. Jimmy persuaded his friend to come home with him to Norristown. Arthur took one look at his baby sister Kitty and was "hooked". Kitty was known for her stubbornness (smile).
On their 3rd date, walking thru downtown Norristown, he said to her "You know you're going to be my wife." She laughed hysterically, and said "Yeah right". She would later tell her children, "Have y'all ever heard of a shotgun wedding?" She told them her daddy put the shotgun (smile) to HER and said "You're marrying this man here, because he's going to be someone some day."
They were married in 1956 in Cleveland Ohio and had five children: Eugene, Michael, Johnathan "Donnie", Arthur B., and finally a bouncing baby girl Kitt Clemons.
He worked as a post office carrier before being approached to own two McDonalds. He declined the offer because he stated he couldn't see hamburgers as his future (smile). He would later become a successful car salesman selling all brands of cars, as well as becoming a General Manager for his brother's two Chrysler Plymouth dealerships in the Cleveland Metro Area.
Kitty was her husband's pride and joy, a virtuous house wife, a nurturing mother and model dresser. Arthur told his absolutely gorgeous wife all she had to do was say what she wanted and it was so.
In 1957, shortly after their marriage, the young couple attended a revival meeting at Williams Temple Church of God in Christ, hosted by world renowned Mother Elsie Shaw, one of the COGIC pioneers. They both gave their lives to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, along with her brother and sister in law Burton and Genie Clemons. Mother Shaw said that she'd never seen four people get saved like that. Sister Kitty dropped to the floor and rolled around back and forth. She would later jokingly tell us that the Lord slammed her into pews and chairs, along with her husband and in laws (smile). Later that same week, as the revival was still going, she received the baptism of the Holy Ghost and spoke in tongues for three days straight. Her husband Art came home from work that week and said he saw an angel feeding his son Michael. She was trying to say "your dinner is ready" in English, but couldn't.
As a young house wife, her hair stylist encouraged Kitty to go to cosmetology school. She would go on to graduate with honors, pass the state board exam, receiving both her cosmetology license and her managing license. This would later be her "calling". She became highly sought after by people from all walks of life throughout the Cleveland metro area, including the Dazz Band.
During the Jheri Curl era (smile), Soft Sheen recognized her masterful use of the Care Free Curl product. An ingenious rodding technique "the brick layer", seated Kitty on the Board of Advisors, teaching world renowned stylists the proper use and way of the Care Free Curl, turning that product line to a multimillion dollar product and creating other products in the pipeline.
After 25 years of marriage, Kitty moved back to Norristown where she was lead by the Lord to open her own hair salon, Kitty's World of Beauty. Her salon became a household name, reaching surrounding states from New York to California. People came for her famous Care Free Curl technique and other trend setting styles with award-winning stylists. Kitty's World of Beauty became the #1 Black owned business in Norristown. She included her family in the business - training her children Artie and Kitt to become state board certified stylists, and both Donnie and granddaughter Raquel answering the phones. Kitty became a powerhouse, inspiring many up and coming stylists to own their own salon. Her play adopted daughters opened Cuddie Place, owned by Vonnie, and Wanda Jones's hair salon.
After a milestone 30 years, Kitty closed the salon and retired back to Shaker Heights where she lived again with Arthur L. and daughter Kitt. She was diagnosed with and battled Alzheimer's disease for 18 years under the awesome, unselfish care of her faithful daughter Kitt. Miss Kitty passed peacefully surrounded by her immediate family on September 29, 2025.
She was preceded in death by Arthur L., her sister Doris Jones, brother Manny and parents James and Bertha Mae Goldson. Also, sons Michael and Donnie, grandson Juan Demetrius Clemons, granddaughter Miranda "Ronnie" Clemons, and daughters in law Arethia Clemons and Denise Sharp.
She is mourned by her children Eugene Clemons, Arthur B. Clemons (Chaundra), and daughter Kitt Clemons (Terrance). Also, her sister Betty Lou Stevens, brother James "Jimmy" Goldson, sisters in law Jewel Kirkland, Evelyn Clemons and Genie Clemons, and a host of nieces, nephews and her beloved grandchildren.
Grandchildren: Eugene Clemons, Jr, Raquel Clemons Grimes (Terrance), Johnathan Clemons, Jr, Drew Clemons, Monique Clemons Kennedy, Angela Clemons, Ian Clemons (Monae), Milton Clemons, Mikayla Clemons
Great-grandchildren: Chase Scott, Makyii Bunrout-Clemons, Serenity Franklin, Jeremiah Kennedy, Camille Kennedy, Daveanna, Ja-khi, Christian, Takoda Clemons, Zhane and Ian Clemons, Jr.
This message is dedicated to Kitt Clemons and all other caregivers who aren't recognized for what it takes to care for victims of Alzheimer's. Kitt unselfishly took care of her mother and her father who was also diagnosed with Alzheimer's/dementia for 18 years. Arthur passed two years earlier in 2023. May we all stand in honor, saluting Kitt and other care givers.
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