Carolyn Rosalind Cathey Walters, age 96 years of Charlotte N.C. passed away April 4th, 2019 at Trinity Village in Hickory, NC. She was born January 22, 1923 in Pelzer, S.C. to the late Theodore H. Cathey and Callie Seay Cathey.
The day Carolyn died she was reported to see a bright light followed by generous words of praise from her thanking the Lord for holding true to his promise. Family and friends remember her fondly talking about the “streets of gold” with “a mansion just over the hilltop” and longing to see them for years.
Carolyn could be described as a hardworking, faithful woman who never longed for much more than family, friends and simple day to day existence. She married Donald Clark Walters in 1947 and they had two children, Jeffrey Randall “Randy” Walters (1952) and Karen Lynne Walters Killian (1956). Carolyn was a single mother when her children were young and she dutifully worked to support her family by riding buses to work and day care. After graduating from Greer High School in 1941, she moved to Charlotte and worked for Southern Bell, Franklin Simon and the Cato Corporation from which she retired at age 65 years. Carolyn was a long time member of Garr Memorial Church where she and Donald were some of the founding members. Donald, who remarried to Mary Walters proceeded Carolyn in death in 2000.
Carolyn was the last surviving member of the eleven children of Theodore and Callie Cathey. Those who preceded her in death were Jessie Cathey Penry (Paul), Clyde Cathey (Connie), Claude Cathey who died in childhood, Theodore Ralph (Ted) Cathey (Lucille), Hamlin Cathey (Dot), Wade Cathey (Evelyn and Azelle), Robert R.G. Cathey (Helen and Anita), Grace Cathey Todd (Lonnie), and Mary Cathey Hills (John).
Left to cherish her memory are two children and six grandchildren. Son, Jeffrey Randall “Randy” Walters (Alice) and their children Joel Thomas Walters (Giovanna) Laura Beth Walters, and David Patrick Walters. Daughter, Karen Lynne Walters Killian whose husband Steve passed away in 2016. Their children Matthew Stephen Killian, Kasey Lee Killian (fiancé) David Anderson and Zachary Knight Killian. Also surviving are nieces and nephews, Deborah Cathey Moore, Theodore Benjamin Cathey, Michael Todd, Gary Hills, Carol Cathey Roberts, Timothy Cathey, Jazmine Penry and others.
Friends of whom she often spoke and cherished were Betty Mason (deceased), Carole Featherly, Helen Phifer, and Myrtle Looper.
Carolyn was a real trooper in her final years as she battled dementia and kept a strong, jovial spirit. She received the best of care in the last two years at Trinity Village, Springs Rd. Hickory, NC. For that the family is grateful. Some of her primary caregivers were Jonathan, Maria, Megan and others.
Carolyn will be buried at Forest Lawn West, Charlotte, N.C. close by her sister Grace. Forest Lawn West is also in charge of her arrangements. The funeral is at 10:00 AM on Saturday, April 13, 2019 with the viewing of the body at 9:00 AM the same day.
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