Margarette E. Catha

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MARGARETTE CATHA, age 93, resident of Cleveland, TN, died in her home on August 6, 2008. Born on August 5, 1915, in Kentwood, LA, to the family of William Thomas and Mary Ann Catha, she was preceded in death by her parents and her six siblings, four sisters and two brothers. She was the youngest child of her family and graduated from the Class of 1933 from Kentwood High School, Kentwood, LA.

She is survived by several nieces and nephews in FL and LA. Her special "sister" friends were Beulah Mae Murphree and Grace Golden, from Cleveland, TN. Her caregivers have been Cathryne Blocker and Ramona Hyberger, along with personal assistants and support from Amedicsys Hospice.

Prior to coming to Cleveland, Ms. Catha worked as a clerk/stenographer in the Baton Rouge, LA, area with Charity Hospital, Federal Emergency Relief Administration, Public Welfare Office, LA State Dept., War Manpower Commission, US Recruiting Dept., and then, Dept. of Employment in Cleveland, TN., and, Chattanooga, TN.

In 1949 Ms. Catha began her work as the Executive Secretary to the Church of God General Overseers where she worked for 31 years. Her work history included outstanding leaders for the Church such as: Former General Overseers: Reverends H. L. Chesser (1949-52); Zeno C. Tharp (1952-56); Houston R. Morehead (1956-58); James A. Cross (1958-62); Wade H. Horton (1962-66); Charles W. Conn (1966-70); Leonard Carroll (1970-72); Wade H. Horton (1974-76); Cecil B. Knight (1976-78); Ray H. Hughes (1972-74 and 1978-82).

Margarette retired at the 1980 General Assembly. She was called to the podium on Sunday afternoon, August 17, 1980 and presented a plaque which read: "Presented in loving appreciation to Margarette Catha, Secretary Extraordinary for more than thirty-one years of dedicated, exemplary, and efficient service to God and the office of the General Overseer of the Church of God." The General Assembly expressed its appreciation to Miss Catha by giving her a standing ovation. (Church of God General Assembly Minutes, 1980, page 53.)

She was also a long time member of the North Cleveland Church of God where she once taught a children's Sunday School class, was in the Crusaders Choir, was on the Board for Women's Ministries, and was a member of the Unity Sunday School Class.

In the community Ms. Catha was active with the Business and Professional Womens organization. Also, she was a long time volunteer with the Red Cross and the old Bradley Memorial Hospital. At one time the hours she volunteered added up to over eight years at 40 hours a week, spread over many years with her most recent assignment in the gift shop. This was a tremendous gift she gave to the local hospital. She enjoyed her church, community activities, and her friendships with many diverse people. Truly she knew how to be a friend.

A Celebration of Life service, will be held at on Monday, August 11 at 2PM at the Grissoms Funeral Home, Visitation from noon to 2PM prior to the service. The Reverend Mitch Maloney will speak and Cathryne Blocker will give the eulogy. Burial will be at the Woodland Memorial Cemetery in her home town, Kentwood, LA.

In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to the Smoky Mountain Chldren's Home, ATTN Margarette Catha Scholarship for Needy Children, P. O. Box 439, Sevierville, TN 37864 or the North Cleveland Church of God, ATTN World Missions Fund or the Building Fund, Cleveland, TN 37311.

Graveside service time and date in Louisiana will be announced.

Online condolences may be sent to www.grissomfh.net