Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

March 30, 2025

Martha “Kay” Massey Weatherspoon, age 91, died peacefully on March 30, 2025. She was born on July 27, 1933 in Durham, NC, daughter of the late Charles Knox Massey and Annie Louise Sutherland Massey. Kay grew up in Durham, attending The Calvert School (Durham Academy) through grade 8, skipped the 9^th grade, and went on to Durham High school, where she graduated in 1950. It was at Durham High that she had the joy of meeting Van Weatherspoon, who would become her husband in 1955.

Kay then attended Hollins College, graduating in 1954. Hollins held a very special place in her heart. She thrived academically and developed lifelong friendships that she treasured for the rest of her life. As a student, she was a member of the Honor Court and the Freya group. Years later she went on to serve on the Board of Trustees from 1996-2007 and was named the first Hollins trustee emeritus in 2008. She was awarded Hollins highest honor, The Hollins medal in 2007. Kay established the Distinguished Service Award for staff and faculty at Hollins and additionally provided philanthropic support for numerous scholarships and endowments.

Kay and Van married in 1955 and settled in Charlotte. They were happily married for 67 years until Van’s death in 2022. In addition to raising a family, Kay also volunteered in the community and public schools. Believing that learning to read was a key to future success for every child, she tutored and shared her love of reading for over 25 years at Cotswold elementary, Eastover elementary, and Randolph middle school. Through her service in the Junior League of Charlotte, she helped to establish The Charlotte Nature Museum, among other endeavors. She was also a dedicated and giving board member of Crisis Assistance ministry and the UNC Library board. Kay was a lifetime Methodist and a devoted member of Myers Park United Methodist church for more than 65 years. She enjoyed years of teaching Sunday school, serving on various boards, and as a member of the first Stephens Ministry class there.

After the devastating loss of their son, Van Jr, to a brain tumor in 1989, the Weatherspoons established the Weatherspoon Eminent Distinguished Professorship in Neurosurgery as well as the Van L. Weatherspoon Jr Brain Tumor Program Fund for Excellence at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Kay was a loving and proud daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and aunt who left an indelible mark on all she met. She was predeceased by her husband, Van, her son, Van Jr., and great granddaughter, Amara Johansson. She is survived by two daughters, Martha Johansson and her husband, Reverend Paul Johansson of Corcoran, MN and Laura Shwedo and her husband. Blair Shwedo of Charlotte, grandchildren Blair Shwedo Jr and wife, Emily, Anne Shwedo Rufty and her husband, Drew, Stephen Johansson, his wife, Martha, and Andrew Johansson and his wife, McKenna; seven great grandchildren, Ridley Shwedo, Louise Shwedo, Eden Johansson, Nora Johansson, Leon Johansson, Deacon Rufty and Van Rufty. Also surviving is her brother, Knox Massey Jr. of Atlanta, a sister-in-law, Dina Kennedy of Hurdle Mills, NC and nieces and nephews, Elizabeth, Knox and Louise Massey and Jerome and Jay Kennedy. Kay is also survived by former daughter-in-law, Christina Dowdy and her children, Reed, Hill and Merrill as well as cousins Bill Massey and Charles Massey.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Jane Harrell, MD and the entire staff of H3 Medical group for their love and dedication to Kay. Thanks also to Via Hospice and the wonderful caregivers from Eloquent Care: Buffy Caldwell, Renita Vinson, Aisha Bah, Carrie Knox, Shamecca Spence, Shantavia Covington, and Mariama Bah.

A service to celebrate Kay’s life will be held on Friday, April 4 at 2 pm at Myer Park United Methodist church, 1501 Queens Road, followed by a reception in Jubilee Hall. The service will be livestreamed at: https://test.myersparkumc.org/worship-with-us/funerals/ for those unable to attend in person.

Memorials in Kay’s memory may be made to: Myers Park United Methodist church, 1501 Queens Road, Charlotte, NC 28207, Crisis Assistance Ministry, 500-A Spratt Street, Charlotte, NC 28206, or Hollins University, Box 9629, 7916 Williamson Road, Roanoke, VA 24020

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28204 (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.