Kathleen Andrews Wagner, 92, of Tryon, N.C., passed away peacefully Thursday night, December 22, 2016 at Sage Memorial Hospital in Ganado, Ariz. where she had been visiting her oldest daughter.

She was born on October 10, 1924 in Tryon to the late Ellison Capers Andrews and the late Willie Bernice Foster Andrews. She grew up in Tryon, graduated from Tryon High School then attended the Women’s College of Greensboro (UNC-G) where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work.

Kathleen worked for many years as Chief Financial Aid Officer at Spartanburg Technical College where she helped many students find a way to further their education and improve their lives. This was the perfect job for her because nothing gave her more pleasure than caring for others – family, friends, strangers and animals. She was a beloved wife, mother, sister, daughter, aunt, Nana and friend to so many. Everyone who knew her was blessed by her sweet, loving, encouraging spirit.

She left Tryon when she went to college and lived in many places including Raleigh, N.C., Germany, and Glendale, Calif. While living in Raleigh, she was active in the Raleigh Little Theater as an actress and award winning makeup artist. She returned to Tryon with her two youngest children in 1972 and was so happy and content to be back home. She enjoyed attending Landrum First Baptist Church with her best friend of more than 80 years, Claudia Kay, and dearly loved her hometown Tryon.

She is survived by her four children who were her heart: son Jack Kreiner and wife Barbara of Alamosa, Colo.; daughter BettyKay Henderson of Chinle, Ariz.; son Karlos Kreiner of Spartanburg, S.C.; and daughter Kristine Krause of Tryon, N.C. She will be missed by her seven grandchildren whom she loved dearly: Caleb and Ashley Kreiner; Jonathan, Kathleen, William, and Andrew Krause and Andy Wagner and her beloved niece Martha Winkler and husband Dorman Winkler. She is predeceased by her husbands Edward J. Wagner and Karl Kreiner, sister Betty Rhyne, brother-in-law Clifford Rhyne, double first cousin Bunny Shields and niece Betsy Mazak.

The family is so grateful to the staff of Sage Memorial Hospital for the loving care they showed our mother during the last month of her life. She loved how you all called her Grandma and gave her so much personal care. She truly meant it when she said she loved you.

Kathleen’s memorial service will be held at McFarland Funeral Chapel on Thursday, January 5, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. with reception/visitation immediately following.

There will be a private burial in Asheville later in the day.

Kathleen gave generously to a number of charities that were close to her heart so to those of you who are asking “What can I do to help?”, give a gift to your favorite charity in honor of our mother.

As Mother always told us: We love you forever Momma, Mama, Moma, Nana.

An online guest register is available at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com.

McFarland Funeral Chapel

Tryon, N.C.