Catherine S. Blackburn "Kathy"

Catherine attended St. Peter Claver Catholic School and was a PROUD graduate of Williamson High School, class of 1970, “The Mighty Lions.” She attended Bishop State Community College in Mobile, Al, where she pursued an Associates’s Degree in Education. Catherine met her beloved husband, Collace Blackburn, in 1972 and moved to New Orleans where they married on January 27, 1974. Catherine was never a stranger to anyone she met. She would’ve given you the shirt off of her back if you needed it. Throughout her life, Catherine exemplified kindness and an abundance of love to family and friends.

Upon moving to New Orleans, Catherine worked as a cashier at Schwegmann Bros. Giant Supermarket on Broad St. In 1978, she started working as a parent liaison at R.T. Danneel #2. After 2 years as a parent liaison, she began working as a substitute teacher with the Orleans Parish School System. Soon after, she began her career as a Teacher working with special need students at several schools within Orleans Parish. Prior to retirement in 2004, she worked at Andrew Jackson Elementary School.

Catherine was known to family and friends for her passion of baking sweet potato and lemon meringue pies, her seafood gumbo (with no okra), honey BBQ hot wings and spaghetti with meatballs. She was an avid collector of anything related to frogs and loved reading books.

She leaves behind a LEGACY OF LOVE. Catherine is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 50 years, Collace Blackburn; four adoring daughters, Sheilita, Claudia, Camille, and Agnes Marie. One dear son-in-law, Christopher, Sr.; six amazing grandchildren, Jazmin, Tab, Caala, Jamaal, Christopher, Jr., and Savannah; two wonderful great-grandchildren, Bailey and Taz; six siblings, William, Robert, Pauline, Mandrella, Mary Louise, and Tyrone; one aunt, Mabel; her brother-in-law, Wallace; her Goddaughter, Lea; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. Catherine was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Hudson and Arlene T. Shepherd; one sister, Annie M. Shepherd; her mother-in-law, Vern B. Bell; and a host of aunts, uncles, and other relatives.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral services on Saturday, July 13, 2024 at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church, 4230 S. Broad St. in New Orleans. The visitation will begin at 9:00AM with a presentation to follow at 10:30am. The Funeral Mass will begin at 11:00am with the Interment to follow at All Saints Mausoleum in Metairie Cemetery, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. in New Orleans.

God looked around his heavenly garden and saw he had an empty space. He then looked down at Earth and saw your tired face. Stretching his arms out and wrapping them around you, he whispered “Good job thy well & faithful servant. Peace be thine”. He then closed your eyes, and lifted you to rest. It broke our hearts to lose you, but you didn’t go alone for part of us went with you the day GOD called you home.