Cathryn McPherson

Cathryn Plunkett McPherson, 93, of North Little Rock died February 16, 2024 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. She was preceded in death by her husband, Odell McPherson of North Little Rock, her grandson, Peter McPherson of Austin, Texas, her parents Florence and Gene Plunkett, and her sister Claudine Bratton, all of Sheridan.

Cathryn, or “Cat” as she preferred to be called, was born on March 4, 1930. She was proud of having grown up in Sheridan and was very close to her family, including several cousins who were raised by her parents after losing their mother. After graduating high school in 1947, she moved to Little Rock to live with an aunt, Irene Smith, subsequently working as a bookkeeper until she and Odell were married on August 2, 1950. After the birth of Randy in 1951 and Sheila in 1956, they moved to Rose City, where they were long-time members of Trinity United Methodist (formerly Rose City Bethel UMC.) They lived in Rose City for the next 38 years, moving to Lakewood in 1995. Cat and Odell were married for 60 years, until his death on April 14, 2011.

Cat bowled for many years at Pike Lanes and Sherwood Bowling Lanes, in one or more leagues per week, was a substitute for absentee bowlers in other leagues, and was secretary of the Winnettes League at Pike for many years. She was active in the PTA at Rose City Elementary, serving as president for two years. She also was a volunteer for Cub Scouts and Brownies when Randy and Sheila were young. She was a wonderful cook - no one could top her coconut pie or German Chocolate cake, and certainly not her chicken and dumplings. She loved dogs, especially her boxer, Sassy, a gift from her children after Odell’s death. Other interests were growing plants and flowers, working jigsaw puzzles and playing games. She was cutthroat at Sorry (had to be the yellow man), Spades and penny-ante poker. She loved the St Louis Cardinals and hated squirrels.

Cat is survived by her son Randy and his wife Pam of Conway, and her daughter Sheila and her husband Lynn McGuire of North Little Rock. She loved being “Nana” to her grandchildren (and many of their friends): Geoff McPherson and his wife Lindsey of Liberty, Kentucky, and their children Eli, Addie and Jody; Hayley McGuire-Frye of Sherwood and her sons Houston and Davis; Scott McPherson and his fiancé Lane Barker of Traveler’s Rest, South Carolina, and his stepson Shiloh Sigler; Kelsey (McGuire) and her husband Neil Hays of Maumelle, and their children Ellerie, Owen and Everett; and Will McPherson and his wife Keri of Bend, Oregon, and their children Maverick, Brecken and Mila.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, February 20 at 10:00 a.m., followed by a graveside service at 11:00 a.m. Please dress casually.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer’s Association or to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation would be appreciated. Donations can be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave, Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601, or through act.Alzheimer’s.org. Donations to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation can be sent to cff.org/donate