Kathleen was born to Charles Franklin Gray and Ruth Lee McDonald Gray on July 25, 1934, in the city of Barnsdall, Oklahoma, township of Bigheart.  She was the youngest of 13 children. She attended school and graduated high school through Barnsdall Public Schools. She married John Dee "J.D." Shanks on the 26th of April 1954. Their union produced a beautiful, much-loved daughter, Paula Vaudine Shanks. Kathleen enjoyed traveling, crocheting, and singing with the gospel group, "Cornbread Country" where she performed as vocalist as well as comedian. She was a member of the Olivet Baptist Church in Sand Springs, Oklahoma. Kathleen went to her eternal home on July 31, 2023, while a resident of the Barnsdall Nursing Home. She will be laid to rest next to her husband of 51 years, "J.D.", at the new Barnsdall Cemetery.