Sally Kate Waldroup
August 5, 1927 – April 24, 2024

Sally Kate West Waldroup, “Kate,” 96, passed away April 24, 2024 at Harmony Senior Living in Adair Village near Corvallis, Oregon after several years of declining health. Kate was born at home in Andrews, North Carolina to Mary Parolee Carver and Luther Grant West on August 5, 1927. She joined siblings: Christine, Grant, Frances and Ray as the youngest girl, and several years later brother Harold.
Kate grew up in Andrews, NC, where her parents owned and operated a general store. She was an excellent student and attended Cherokee County Schools.
When she was fifteen years old, Kate met the love of her life, Hoyt Waldroup, and on February 12, 1943 they were married in Blue Ridge, Georgia. She and Hoyt moved to Ohio during the early years of their marriage with Hoyt working at BF Goodrich in Akron. Joyce Kate, “Joy,” was born March 18, 1944, and Stephen Hoyt, “Steve,” on March 18, 1946. Once both children were school age, Kate stayed at home in Brasstown, NC where Joy and Steve attended Cherokee County Schools. The family were members of Little Brasstown Baptist Church where Kate taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, raised money for a new church addition, and much more. Kate worked as a supervisor at several area garment factories over the years including Levi Strauss and Duffy. In 1965, Kate and Joy moved West to join Hoyt as he worked in construction near Sweet Home, OR, where Kate has lived ever since. Shortly after moving to Oregon, Kate began working for JC Penney Company in Lebanon, OR in their management training program. One story is that she would buy fabric that she purchased on sale one day and return to work the very next day with a new outfit she had sewn herself overnight!
For many years, Kate and Hoyt made regular trips between the East and West Coasts, making stops in Vale, OR to camp and hunt with family and long-time North Carolinian friends, like Frank and Bea Hogan, who came out to explore the Pacific Northwest. Hoyt’s brother, Jim, enjoyed coming to Oregon to take advantage of the excellent fishing that he found. Hoyt passed away in 1996.
One of Kate’s greatest attributes was her can-do spirit and her willingness to tackle any task that needed doing. She was an excellent seamstress, crocheter, cook and a hard worker who had a remarkable capacity to learn skills quickly and master them.
Kate is survived by her loving family: her daughter, Joyce Kate McNelly of Lincoln City, OR; her son, Stephen Hoyt Waldroup (Beth) of Lincoln City, OR; grandsons: Jeffrey McNelly (Katie) of Hillsboro, OR, and Christopher Waldroup (Jennifer) of Carlton, OR; great-grandson, Jordon McNelly (Aubrey) of Hillsboro, OR; great-granddaughters, Natasha Irish (Josh Nussbaum) of Otis, OR and Claire, Georgia, Ruby Kate and Jenna Waldroup of Carlton, OR; great-great granddaughters, Zailyn McNelly of Hillsboro, OR, and Elexyn, Griffey and Espyn Nussbaum of Otis, OR; great-great grandsons, Zaidyn Irish and Autzen Nussbaum of Otis, OR and Oakley McNelly of Hillsboro, OR. In addition, Kate is survived by brother, Harold West (Shirley) of New Smyrna Beach, Florida and many nieces and nephews.
Special thanks to Barbara Willis of Martin, Georgia who reached out to Kate with a daily phone call since her health began declining several years ago, and to Greg Allison, a neighbor and Skip-Bo card player, who has been a great help to her over the years. Kindnesses such as these will always be remembered by her family. The family is so appreciative to the owners and staff of Harmony Senior Living for their love and excellent care of Kate during the last few months, as well as to Evergreen Hospice. Kate made everyone she knew feel important and was so well loved because she loved so well.
A Celebration of Life for Kate will be 2 – 4 pm Saturday May 4th at Sweet Home Funeral Chapel, 1443 Long Street, Sweet Home, Oregon.
A second Celebration of Life will be held in North Carolina at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials are welcome to the Little Brasstown Baptist Church Cemetery Fund in Brasstown, NC. Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling arrangements www.sweethomefuneral.com.