Kathryn Collier

Kathyrn Ann Collier, known to close friends and family as Kat, was a professional vocalist and retired social services specialist. Kathryn Collier’s love of life did not cease with her death. Born to Ruby Lee Ward-Collier and Waymon C. Collier in Amarillo, Texas on April 20, 1950, Kathryn passed away unexpectedly on March 26, 2024, at the age of 73, after a courageous battle with an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Kathryn is connected by many friends and loved ones who will continue to honor her legacy while living their lives to the fullest.

Kathryn pursued her bachelor’s degree in music at Chapman University in Orange, California. While singing professionally for 20 years, she synthesized harmonious background vocals with the professional vocal group Ms. Lady, then began her professional entertainment career with Stevie Wonder (Wonder Love) and Ray Charles (Raylettes). Kathryn demonstrated versatile vocal range as a dynamic soprano, alto, and tenor, adding depth and soulfulness to her performances. She traveled extensively with Ray Charles, riding a whirlwind tour that allowed her to express herself to the world.

Kathryn appeared as a singer and character in two movies: Uptown Saturday Night and the animated Felix the Cat. Privately, Kathryn delighted in the pleasure of sports, caring for plants, sharing palates sessions with her friends, and enjoying African fashion. The game of basketball was her life-long dream sport. She played the game, wrote music about it, and created rap tunes about the ever-present orange ball, a ball that symbolized her world. During her tour of Europe, from behind the darkened glass of her team bus, Kathryn scanned the streets of London and Paris, searching for outdoor courts on which to bounce and dribble. And play she did; all over the world. With Ray Charles, Kathryn toured Japan, Germany, Italy, France, the Philippines, the UK, Switzerland, Ireland, Canada, Singapore, and the continental United States.

Simple pleasures, fun-filled humor, and a love of trees adorned her life and her imagination. Nature favorites aloe vera and agave pots punctuated her enclosed patio. As a companion to her powerful, sultry voice, Kathryn taught herself how to play the piano and miniature keyboard. She would sing and chant, from Mahalia and Aretha to Whitney and Diana – from Nancy Wilson to contemporary female rap artists – she memorialized and mimicked and harmonized along with her heroines and way showers. Her uncanny ability to find happiness in her daily music activities revealed her inner child and the artist that needed to be expressed. Her pleasing personality was contagious to everyone she met, and to all who listened to her sing.

Remember her as a warm and loving sister, friend, and mate. She was intelligent, athletic, a generous giver, and a kind-hearted mentor to young women. She carried a big voice to match her expansive heart.

Kathryn is survived by her brothers Johnny Lee Ward, John Wesley Ward, Jr., Thomas Lee Collier, James Otis Collier (Alice), and Derrick Wayne Drennon (Brenda); her sister Patricia Lynn Collier, many cousins, and a host of beautiful nieces and nephews.

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