Catherine Voyce Gilley

Catherine (Cathy) Voyce Lambert Gilley was born on July 15, 1939, in Kempner, Texas, and passed away on February 26, 2025, in New Braunfels, Texas. Cathy was the third of four children born to Voyce Olive Gilbreath Lambert and Clifford Louis Lambert, Senior. Cathy moved with her parents to New Orleans, Louisiana, Kempner, Texas, and Monahans, Texas. In 1957 as a sophomore at the University of Texas at El Paso (formally known as Texas Western College), she met her husband Jerry Gilley and graduated with her bachelor’s degree in English in 1960. They married August 19, 1961 and celebrated 63 years of marriage in August of 2024.

She earned her master’s degree in secondary education (English) from the University of Texas at Tyler, Texas. Prior to her marriage to Jerry, Cathy taught high school English at Kermit and Andrews, Texas. Additionally, prior to moving to Kingwood, Cathy taught English in Big Spring, Texas; New Orleans, Louisiana; Lafayette, Louisiana; Tyler, Texas; Humble, Texas; Portland, Texas; Midland, Texas; and West Fork, Arkansas. In each of these cities, Cathy taught almost every grade except kindergarten, educating and enriching the lives of hundreds of students.

Cathy and Jerry moved several times while Jerry was employed at Exxon as a geologist.

Among the places they lived were Andrews, Texas; Big Spring, Texas; Fayetteville, Arkansas; Lafayette, Louisiana; New Orleans, Louisiana; Tyler, Texas; Midland, Texas; Portland, Texas; and Kingwood, Texas.

It was in Kingwood that Cathy and Jerry were residents the longest time span (after Jerry’s retirement from Exxon). They were members of Kingwood Church of Christ for 37 years and Cathy taught high school English at New Caney High School. In their retirement, Cathy and Jerry traveled extensively abroad to include Italy, Ireland, New Zealand, China, Russia, and Canada. They also enjoyed many summer vacations and family reunions at Pensacola, Florida. Cathy and Jerry were active in assisting to provide short-term living accommodations through the Kingwood Church of Christ Apartment Ministry for patients at the Medical Center in Houston, Texas.

Cathy was loving and encouraging as a wife, sister, grandmother, aunt, and a wonderful friend to many.

Cathy is survived by her husband, Jerry Gilley, daughter Cynthia Gilley Houle (Rick Houle, New Braunfels, Texas), and son Mark Gilley (Erin Gilley, Downers Grove, IL). She is also survived by grandchildren Kristen Guerra (Kyle Guerra), Kyle Ponder, Megan Kishter (Ben Kishter), Ava Gilley, Nicklaus Houle (Alexis Houle), and Zachary Houle. Additionally, great grandchildren, Logan Guerra and Avery Guerra, brother, James Lambert (Doris Reed Lambert), and a host of nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Kingwood Church of Christ Apartment Ministry Fund. The funeral service will be held at the Kingwood Church of Christ on Friday, March 7th, with a viewing at 11 AM, service at noon, and a reception at 1 PM.