Kathleen was born and raised in the small farming community of Seneca, NM and was one of seven children. When she was nine years old, she moved to Clayton, NM, where she grew up and went to school.
In 1953 she moved to Raton, NM, where she met the love of her life, Thomas. They lived in Raton for fourteen years and had six children then moved to Springer, NM. There is where her husband and she owned a dairy, three different grocery stores, a hotel, three different cafes, and two different bakeries over the years.
In 1974, she started writing poems as the Lord gave her the words. She loved the Lord, her family and her passion was embroidery.
She and Thomas moved to Aubrey, TX in 2014. The Lord blessed them with numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Kathleen is survived by her spouse of sixty-eight years, Thomas of Aubrey, TX; three sons, Thomas Robert Valentine Jr. and wife Cindy of Springer, NM, Jack Michael Valentine of Raton, NM, and Ronald Ray Valentine of Springer, NM; three daughters, Roberta Gail Morris of Hereford, TX, Laurie Ann Taylor and husband Robert of Aubrey, TX, and Teri Reneé Pearson and husband David of Clovis, NM; twenty grandchildren; forty-one great-grandchildren; two brothers, Ronnie Barton of Towalame, CA and Bobby Barton of Denver, CO; and sister, Dorothy Rush of Amarillo, TX.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jerry and Ruby; grandson, Jarrod Pearson; two brothers, Bill and Jerry Barton; and one sister, Joann Carwile.
Visitation will be held 10:00 AM-11:00 AM, Thursday, December 23, 2021, at Slay Memorial Chapel in Aubrey, TX and the funeral service will begin at 11:00 AM with Russell McDonnell and Jose Godinez officiating. Following the service interment will be 2:00 PM at Shay Cemetery in Shay, OK. Online condolences may be shared at www.slaymemorialfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Charlotte Chism Waldrum and Slay Memorial Funeral Center.
