Catherine Ethridge Genone, 98, died peacefully at home on Tuesday, December 15, 2020. She joined her beloved husband Ernie, and we know they are looking forward to celebrating Christmas together once again.
Born on March 22, 1922, in the rural community of James in Jones County, Georgia, Catherine was the middle child of the late Carrie (Bessie) Bonner Ethridge and William Atkinson Ethridge. She worked on the family farm with her siblings and attended Haddock Elementary School and Jones County High School before continuing her education at the Georgia State College for Women and the Georgia-Alabama Business College.
After college, Catherine put her accounting skills to work, taking her first job as a bookkeeper at R.C. Cropper and then working for several finance companies. Her life was forever altered when she agreed to a blind date with Joseph Ernest Genone, Jr., a dashing young war hero who quickly became the love of Catherine’s life.
In 1948, Catherine and Ernie were married in the rectory of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Macon. This was the start of her relationship with St. Joseph’s, and she remained a devoted member for more than 70 years, serving as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, participating in Share the Word, enjoying food and fellowship after 8 a.m. Mass with her friends in the St. Joseph’s Coffee Group, and volunteering in any other capacity she could.
In addition to giving her time and talents to the church, Catherine continued working outside the home for a while after her marriage. However, once she became a mother, her career was set aside so she could turn full attention to Ernie and their daughters, Cathy and Patti. She relished her role as a homemaker, and it was only after the girls were in their late teens that Catherine went back to work, this time as a sales clerk at The Treasure Chest, a jewelry store in downtown Macon.
Anyone who knew Catherine also knew that she was happiest when serving others. She exuded warmth, and her loving, selfless spirit was evident to all who encountered her. If a friend or family member were sick or grieving, she would arrive on their doorstep with a spring in her step and a homemade dish in her hand. Her sweet voice and unflaggingly cheerful disposition could always coax a smile, even on someone’s darkest day. Without a doubt, Catherine was a true Southern lady, beautiful inside and out, and we are all incredibly proud and blessed to have known her.
Catherine was preceded in death by Ernie, her devoted husband of 57 years; daughter, Cathy Genone Bender; siblings Louise Ethridge, Hazel Ethridge Wood, W.T. Ethridge, Wallace Ethridge, and Horace Ethridge; and her brother-in-law, Joe Genone.
She is survived by her daughter Patti Genone Williams (Jeff) of Macon, son-in-law, Dr. John Bender, of Macon, and sister-in-law, Carolyn Ethridge, of Eatonton. She also leaves behind nephews Ernie Genone, Terry Genone (Loretta), Danny Genone (Judy), and Don Neal (Loette); nieces Cherry Genone and Dana Zielinski (Tommy); and many great-nieces and nephews, including Carrie Soltay (Endre), Meg Renner (Steve), Jennifer Roth (Dan), Jill Sebaugh (Wes), Amy Lee (Sandy), Emily Haygood (Jon), Scott Genone (Laura), and Nicky Miller (Joe). She treasured her great-great-nieces and nephews, who are simply too numerous to name.
We would like to extend special thanks to Catherine’s kind and compassionate caregivers: Kendra Porter, Lillian Henderson, Harriett Adams, Bessie Quinn, Neicey Collins, and Cassandra Willis. Their untiring presence allowed Catherine to remain in her home, which meant a great deal to her and her family.
A Rosary Service and Visitation will be held Tuesday, December 22, 2020, at 5:30 p.m. at Snow’s on Cherry Street. Catherine’s Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, December 23, 2020, at 1 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, followed by a Graveside Service at Riverside Cemetery. Father J. Scott Winchel will officiate. We respectfully ask that any attendees practice social distancing and wear masks. Live streaming of the Funeral Mass will be available via the St. Joseph Catholic Church Facebook page.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Catherine’s beloved St. Joseph Catholic Church, 830 Poplar Street, Macon, GA, 31201.
Visit www.snowsmacon.com to express condolences.
Arrangements entrusted to Snow’s Memorial Chapel, Cherry Street.
