Katherine Dunning Calhoun, age 97, passed peacefully from this world on July 26, 2026, at her home.

Katherine was born in Summerville, SC to Herbert and Adella Dunning. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Sam, an infant daughter Lauren, and her sister Patsy Stalvey.

Katherine followed in her father's footsteps and attended the College of Pharmacy at the Medical University of South Carolina, where she was only one of three women in her class. She graduated in 1951.

By this time she had met the love of her life, a mountain boy named Sam, and they married in September of 1951. They enjoyed 54 years together and raised 4 children in Waynesville, NC. Katherine was a devoted mother and encouraged her children to be creative and shared with them her love of reading and curiosity about the world. She was a talented seamstress, making clothes for her children and herself. She was the Director of Pharmacy at C.J. Harris Hospital in Sylva, NC from 1970-1989. She and Sam were members of Grace Episcopal Church in Waynesville since 1954. Katherine not only loved her family and her church, but also her friends, especially the bridge club ladies, who were her dear friends for over 70 years.

Katherine and Sam celebrated their 50th anniversary with a trip to Pawley's Island with all of their children, sons and daughters-in-law, and grandchildren, where amid lots of love and laughter, everyone joined in eating part of their 50 year old wedding cake that they had carefully kept frozen all those years. Katherine and Sam thought it still tasted great.

Katherine is survived by her children Keith Calhoun (Regina) of Maggie Valley, Lanier Colgan (Tim), Lisa Calhoun, and John Calhoun (Cynthia), all of Waynesville; her brother Buzzy Dunning (Sheila) of Greensboro, NC; and her grandchildren Cal Colgan, Katherine Colgan, and Mark Colgan (Zella).

A private family burial will be held, with a Celebration of Life service at 4:00 on Friday August 14th, at Grace Episcopal Church in Waynesville, N.C. with a reception afterwards.

Memorials may be made to Grace Church 394 N. Haywood St, Waynesville, NC 28786 or to Doctors Without Borders (doctorswithoutborders.org) or Mercy Ships (mercyships.org).

The care of Mrs. Calhoun has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville.