Virgie Katherine Grainger McCutchen, 81, of South Union passed away Friday, Jan. 22, 2021, at approximately 7:25 p.m.at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Evansville, Ind.
Katherine was a lifelong member of the Center Baptist Church @ South Union. She was a 1957 graduate of Lincoln High School in the Historic Harristown District of Franklin. She and her husband Charles Sr. established Charlie’s Electric Service Inc in January 1966 and worked side by side to build a successful and respected electrical contracting business serving the southcentral Kentucky and northern Tennessee areas for well over 50 years. They prided themselves on prompt, courteous and professional service. From the smallest of residential homes to large commercial and industrial facilities, their mark has been left or felt in and around Franklin and Simpson County.
Katherine modeled what it meant to be a humble servant, always willing and ready to serve in her home, church and community. She participated on various local and state civic and church boards, serving in numerous leadership roles, most notably Center Baptist Church @ South Union, church clerk for 65-plus years, President of the Franklin-Simpson Business & Professional Women’s club, President of the Baptist Women’s Missionary Council of KY and long-time President of the Union District Women’s Missionary Auxillary and Circle 3, just to name a few. Her dedication and commitment was unmatched in whatever she touched.
Her later years would find her becoming an influential and driving force behind the creation and preservation of the African American Heritage Center Inc of Franklin & Simpson County. She and Charles Sr. were instrumental in the purchase and restoration of several buildings in the historically black communities of Harristown and Pea Ridge. Her work, alongside her husband, with this project was near and dear to her heart.
No matter the time or place of your interaction with this beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, colleague, friend or acquaintance, Katherine leaves an indelible impression that won’t be soon forgotten. Her family honors and is forever grateful for her life legacy of faith, family and community
Private family funeral services under the direction of Franklin Funeral Directors were held Saturday, Jan. 30, in Franklin. Interment was in Detherage Family Cemetery in Simpson County.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggested memorial donations be made to the African American Heritage Center, Inc., PO Box 353, Franklin, KY 42135 or Center Baptist Church @ South Union, PO Box 988, Franklin, KY 42135 in the memory of V. Katherine McCutchen.
Katherine was born on June 26, 1939 to the late L. C. Edison (Nola) and the late Madie Detherage Grainger (Jimmie). Her mother died when she was just six months old ,resulting in her aunt and uncle, the late Matt and Frances Detherage, raising her to adulthood.
She was also preceded in death by her husband of 62+ years, Charles L. H. McCutchen Sr (on the same day exactly one year earlier); her sister, Linda Edison Bridgeman of Louisville; and in-laws, Daniel McCutchen, Stanford McCutchen, James McCutchen and Amanda McCutchen Kennedy, all of Franklin.
Katherine leaves to cherish her sweet spirit her sons, Charles L H McCutchen Jr. (Brenita) of Franklin and Keith D McCutchen (Noel) of Frankfort; her nephews, Walter Kennedy Jr. and Michael Kennedy; her step-mother, Nola Edison of Louisville; her grandchildren, Jennifer McCutchen-Atkins (Anthony), Charles L H “Mac” McCutchen III (Natalie), J’Nora McCutchen-Anderson (Carlo), Monica King, Morgan McCutchen, Maya McCutchen, all of Lexington; and Ella and Lyvia McCutchen of Frankfort;; her brothers, Tommy Edison (Freida), Walter Edison (Yolanda), and Don Edison (Joy), all of Louisville and Bobby Edison (Bonnella) of Houston; and 12 great-grandchildren.