Kathie Anne Gifford
May 15, 1950 - February 2, 2023
Early February 2nd of 2023 heaven gained another angel when Kathie Anne (Speaks) Gifford peacefully passed away in her sleep. She fought her Alzheimer’s until the very end.
Kathie leaves behind a long legacy of love and kindness. The first of her family born in California, to Sherman and Robbie Speaks, she graduated from Strathmore High School and then went on to marry her husband, Melvin Lee Gifford. They then went on to live in San Luis Obispo where she worked at Bank of America and would help her husband type out his college papers in her off time. They moved around at different points in their lives and eventually landed back in Tulare County where they spent their remaining time together. Kathie was fondly known at Strathmore Elementary School as "the nice secretary lady that worked in the cafeteria" for several years, being the first to get students in the cafeteria line in her position as the school bookkeeper. Later she was hired at Porterville College, starting out in the Maintenance and Operations department. She then worked in both in Admissions, Student Services, and the Business Department. Finally, the Administrative Assistant Secretary to Vice Dean in charge of Student Services, Steve Schultz, overlooking the Athletics department budget. Being the mother that she was, she kept her office well stocked in good coffee and treats she'd often made herself to bring to work. As she overlooked the budgets of the sports teams, she became the "team mom" who would put together large meals for the softball, baseball, basketball, and volleyball teams during certain times of the year. "I know many of them can't travel home for the holidays, I just want them to get a few good home-cooked meals" she'd say. Later on, she would start attending all the home field sporting events she could to support the students she knew had no one in the stands to cheer for them (just like she used to cheer for her own kids and grandkids during their high school sporting events). She took great pride in her job, helping to assist students with college enrollment, guiding them on college provided computers through the school’s website on how to find classes to sign up for.
Kathie’s legacy includes over 50 years of marriage with her husband and love of her life, Melvin Lee, her 3 children, Matthew Gifford, Annie Amies, and Sarah Thomas, including their spouses that she always loved equally as her own children. She is survived by twelve grandchildren and nine great grandchildren whom she'd always light up to see – even towards the end. She never forgot their faces and always managed to say “I love you”.
She now watches over us from beyond this world leaving behind the impact of her larger-thanlife zest for living. She is met in the hereafter by her parents Sherman and Robbie Speaks, her inlaws Charles Melvin and Lenora Gifford, and her siblings Shirlee Mendes, Jerry Speaks, and Gary Speaks. Her sister Carol Noble and brother James Speaks join the rest of the family in mourning her loss and celebrating the legacy of her life.
Her viewing is Friday February the 17th of 2023 from 8:30am to 11am. Service will be at 11 followed by a Reception to the tune of her beloved Beatles. All will be at 765 W. Henderson Ave in Porterville California.
To sign Kathie Anne Gifford’s online Register book or leave a message of condolence go to www. portervillefuneral.com. For additional information, contact Porterville Funeral & Cremation Center at (559) 784-6485.