Hilda Kathleen "Kathy" Stiles

Hilda Kathleen “Kathy” Stiles went home to be with the Lord on February 3, 2026, just a few weeks short of her 89th birthday. She was born on February 17, 1937, to Oscar and Lura Cabe of Dillsboro, NC. Kathy was a dedicated Christian and longtime member of Dick’s Creek Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Arthur Bruce Stiles, her two brothers, WT and NL Cabe, and her great-granddaughter, Hailey Grace Moore.

To know Kathy was to know love. She cared for every person who entered her life and was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She loved her large and growing family with all that she had. She had a hand in raising all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was so proud to be called “Granny”. She enjoyed showing her family to every new person she met. Kathy also enjoyed sewing, working puzzles, playing Rummy, and singing hymns with her family.

She is survived by her three children, Gail (Donald) Clawson, Kay Connor, and Olin (Mary) Stiles. Her 7 grandchildren, Beth Boone (Cory), Candace Moore (Josh), Donna Mathis (Randy), Amy Dillard, Nathan Conner (Haven), Sarah Stiles, Rachel Whitesides (Mathew), 16 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind special friends John and Debbie Lank.

We know that our time apart is only for a moment and that we will see her again someday. Until then, I hope that all can live life the way that Kathy did, with a heart and service for God.

Services for Kathy will be held on Friday, February 6th, 2026. The family will receive friends from 12:00pm-1:00pm at Appalachian Funeral Services with a chapel service starting at 1:00pm. Interment will immediately follow at Bee Knob Cemetery in Whittier. In lieu of flowers donations in Kathy’s memory can be made to Dicks Creek Baptist Church (27 Wild Rose Drive, Whittier, NC 28789).