Catherine Brinson

Catherine was born on May 11, 1927, in Vicksburg, MS. A graduate of Vicksburg High School, she went on to receive her Bachelor's Degree in Biology and Sociology from Millsaps College, Jackson, MS, in 1949. To earn money for graduate school, she taught 4th grad at Walthall School in Hattiesburg. In Hattiesburg she met WWII veteran Ralph Cranford Brinson, who she said was the most handsome man she had ever seen. Deciding not to go to graduate school, Catherine married Ralph on August 12, 1951, and raised three children, Gail, Alan, and John.

During her career, Catherine worked as a schoolteacher before becoming the Activities Director at a nursing home, where she worked her way up to Administrator. She and Ralph loved to camp, and would frequently take their children camping in the Ozarks, Smokies, and other places.

As a Girl Scout leader, she loved not only the girls whose lives she touched, but also that she got to camp, go on field trips, and do crafts!

Multi-talented and brilliant, Catherine had a number of hobbies. Anything she saw could spark her lively imagination. She loved painting, sewing, and all manner of crafts. Her tatting won a number of blue ribbons and grand prizes at the Mississippi State Fair.

An avid bird-watcher, Catherine knew the names and calls of every type of bird that visited her yard. Loving gardening, she became a certified Master Gardener, and was invited to speak about gardening at various places. She was also featured in a local news piece about rose pruning, and knew the scientific and common names of hundreds of plants.

After retiring, Catherine and Ralph loved to take road trips all over this beautiful country of ours. Ralph sometimes joked that Catherine's middle name was "Go".

She was a long-time active member of Alta Woods Methodist Church, continuing to teach Sunday School beyond her ninety-first birthday, and was generous to may charities.

Catherine was preceded in death by two brothers, Robert David Shumaker and Harry Edward Shumaker, and her beloved husband, Ralph.

She is survived by three children, Gail Brinson Ivey and husband David, Ralph Alan Brinson, M.D., and John Michael Brinson and wife Susan; grandchildren, Rebecca Brinson Turner and husband David, Matthew Alan Brinson and wife Heather, Jessica Michelle Brinson, Hannah Linn Brinson, Johnathan Michael Brinson, and Jasmine Michelle Brinson; great-grandchildren, Mycah Alan Brinson, Hallie Marie Brinson, Breanna Page Turner, and James Dean Turner; brother, George Carroll Shumaker; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, December 15, 2018, at Alta Woods United Methodist Church in Jackson. Interment followed in Lakewood South Cemetery.