Lee Kathryn "Kathy" Counts-Pollard, was the firstborn, and only daughter, of the late Rev. Dr. Stanley L. Counts, Sr and Dorothy J. (Lockett) Counts. She was born on Friday, November 25, 1960, in Kansas City, MO. She and her younger brother, Stanley L. Counts, Jr., were the pride and joy of their parents, and she honored them with the life she lived.

At an early age, Kathy professed her hope in Christ serving faithfully throughout the faith community in various capacities until her passing. She went into active ministry at a very young age serving in almost every lay capacity in the church. Itinerant movement as a preacher's kid never deterred her devotion to praising and worshiping the Lord. She became intent upon witnessing the love of Christ in every facet of her life publicly and privately. In her adult years, she faithfully supported the YPD (Young People's Division) of the Women's Missionary Society (African Methodist Episcopal Church), served as Class Leader at Bethel A.M.E.C., and contributed to worship through music.

Music was Kathy's ministry. Through it, she brought many individuals to Christ. God gifted her, her parents cultivated it, and she obediently used and shared it. You could see her joy every time she took her rightful place in front of a choir. While Kathy was serving faithfully as the director of all choirs at Bethel AME, her service extended far beyond that choir stand. She ministered in song as the director of the Midwest Annual Conference Choir and blessed congregations across the 5th Episcopal District and AME Connectional church with her anointed voice. She was also very active in the New Era District Missionary Baptist Association's choir. She served as the Choir Librarian, Vesper Hour Committee, the Devotional Team member, and as song lead. Her musical talent and great singing abilities so strengthened her choir section (Alto) that members typically leaned on her for the right key and note. Kathy's musical gifts knew no denominational limits. She blessed the faith community across this city with what God gave to her. Wherever and whenever she was needed, Kathy was going to show up to give all of herself for the edification of the Body of Christ. No program was too small and no request too large for her to serve in His name. On every occasion, she sang to the utmost, giving in the same manner that she believed she had been given.

She attended Kansas City Missouri public schools graduating from Southeast High School in 1979. In 1983, she graduated with her bachelor's degree in elementary education from the University of Missouri at Kansas City which led immediately to the classroom beginning with second grade at Troost Elementary in the Kansas City Missouri School District under the leadership of the late John Rivette. She earned her Master's in computer education from Lesley University in 1989 and went on to teach in the district's then Southeast Middle School. A dedicated and effective educator for thirty-three years, she tenaciously poured her time, talent and treasure into children within and outside her classrooms. She was a no nonsense, "we can", hands on, spark plug that ignited countless young people by her admonitions, assistance, contributions, and support.

On November 24, 1978, Kathy was presented to society by her parents as a Beta Omega and Mu Omega Chapters' AKA Debutante. She was one of 32 young ladies presented under the theme, "Galaxy". It was then that she was hooked on pink and green with aspirations of becoming a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. on October 5, 1985, Kathy gained her "20 pearls" as a member of Beta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She served the sorority diligently on the Sisterhood Committee, sung with the AKA Choral Ensemble, on the Debutante Ball Steering Committee as a Co-Choreographer with member Gina R. Mercer, and various other committees. In 1997, she became a Silver Star member (25years). Her service to Beta Omega Chapter continued over her 37-year membership contributing her technical savvy and creative skills including as an unofficial graphic/program designer for the chapter's administration team during the 2006-2007 and 2012-2013 years. After many years as a caregiver for her parents, a sibling and a family friend, Kathy was preparing to reconnect with Beta Omega while participating with various chapter events. Kathy's love for AKA was on display every Christmas with a pink and green decorated tree.

She met William "Bill" E. Pollard, II, married him on her 40th birthday, and fifteen months later they welcomed their son William E. Pollard, III. Bill was Kathy's knight, and William her little prince. She was a devoted, loving and hardworking wife and mother who cherished them both and lit up when she spoke of them. She was often heard expressing her great love and deep gratitude for them, elaborating on their joint love of football and action movies, joking about Bill's World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now known as WWE) obsession and boasting about his smoked meats, glowing on every achievement and milestone of young William in whom she was most proud. Always fully invested in her son's life and development, Kathy committed seven years serving as team mom to the South Suburban Football League's Kansas City Cowboys that he participated in. She reveled in his band performances and YPD presentations and was delighted to dress up and celebrate special occasions with him like the Rockhurst mother/son dances. She was intent upon seeing to his faith development while continually deepening her own walk with Christ Jesus. Their special bond was unmistakable with a language and cadence all its own. No matter what, William and Bill could depend on her to anchor their endeavors with her prayers, by her presence, and through her time, resources and talents.

"Kat" valued and invested in people, embracing the community around her as family. Freely, she showered those in her path with broad smiles and her encouraging emotional and physical presence. She nurtured countless young people who have gone on to use the gifts God gave them in His service whether in secular or non-secular arenas. Seeing and hearing the potential in others, she always encouraged them to walk boldly. Her abounding love and attention for young people began with her own nieces (Jene and Michelle) and nephew (Steffan); goddaughter (Raven) who lovingly called her Mom and was the daughter she longed for; and godson (Travis) whom adoringly referred to her as his Fairy Godmother. She relished every opportunity to lavish affection over each of them with her personal brand of "Special K". There was no limit to her generosity of spirit, supporting them in every way she could.

Preceded in death by her grandparents (Arthur W. & Grace Randles Counts, Homer & Loretta Truelove Lockett), step grandmothers (Josephine and Hazel Lockett), parents (Stanley L. & Dorothy J. Lockett Counts, Sr.) and brother (Stanley L. Counts, Jr.), Kathy peacefully transitioned surrounded by family on Friday, November 11, 2022. She leaves to cherish her memory: her husband, William E. Pollard, II; her son, William E. Pollard, III; goddaughter, Raven S. Stephens; sister-in-law, Lajuana M. (Batchelor) Counts; brother-in-law, Robert H. Pollard; aunt, Carolyn J. (Counts) Anderson; nieces, Jene P. Counts and Michelle L. Counts; nephew, Steffan L. G. Counts; godson, Travis L. Milsap; grandnieces, Noelle, Nyla and

Nia Counts-James; cousin daughter, Dorianne J. Johnson; cousin big sis, Tracy L. Milsap; love sisters, Sharon Turner Buie, Sheri Duff, Ramona Mack, Gail McClenton, Gina Mercer, Marlaa Hall-Reid and Twana Hall-Scott; love brothers, Johnny McClenton, Terry L. Milsap, and Paul Turner; village aunts, Beulah Roberts, Janet Parrette, and Jean Maura; and a bevy of beloved cousins.

Services will be livestreamed: https://youtube.com/@bethelchurchkcmo5140