Vashti Cathey

Vashti Cathey - Harper, was born March 12, 1914 in Anna, Texas. She died May 3, 2011 at Stonebrook Assisted Living Center in Denison, Texas at the age of 97. Her parents were Rev. William Lee Barnes and Talulah Belle Smith Barnes. She married Neal N. Cathey in 1937 who predeceased her in 1948. She married Carl Harper n 1956, who predeceased her, in 1971. She is survived by son, Wendell Cathey and daughter-in-law, Juliet, Durant, Oklahoma and son David Cathey of Fayetteville, Georgia, grandchildren, Rachel Cathey Boone and husband Billy, David Cathey and wife Amy, Kelli Cathey Anderson and husband Cary and Matthew Cathey and wife Katherine, great grandchildren Shasta Rencher and husband Ricky, Barrett Boone, Zachary Anderson, Jacob Anderson, Matthew Cathey, and Cameron Cathey. She was predeceased by 6 sisters and 2 brothers, 3 of whom lived into their 90's and 6 into their 80's. Vashti grew up in rural Bryan County, Oklahoma, graduating from high school in Bokchito, Oklahoma, attending Southeastern State Teachers College, Durant, Oklahoma and later Oklahoma City University. She served as state president of General Federated Women's Clubs and at one time she held a national office. She retired in 2005 at age 91, after more than 25 years as a service volunteer at the Great Plains Hospital in Elk City, Oklahoma. She was a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church in Elk City, Oklahoma, since 1956 where she taught Sunday School for many years. She loved to sing and sang in the church choir for many years. Vashti worked hard all her life and was very cheerful and active to near the end of her life, with church, quilting, playing cards, and living independently until she was 95 years of age. She lived life fully, as she said many times, "my days are full." She was adventurous in her 80's traveling the U.S., Europe and to Israel two times. When asked once by a preacher at her 95 year old sister's funeral, what does Vashti mean or what is the meaning of your name, her reply to the minister was simply, "Book of Esther." She leaves the world a better place. Graveside services will be 2:00 PM, Saturday, May 7, 2011 at Fairlawn Cemetery in Elk City, Oklahoma. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.brownsfuneralservice.com. She loved the Elk City Presbyterian Church and memorials may be made to the church at 217 N. Washington, Elk City, OK 73644. Services are under the direction of Brown's Funeral Service Durant. PDF Printable Version

Vashti Cathey

March 12, 1914 - May 3, 2011