Catherine was born February 4, 1940, in Marianna, Arkansas to Percy Thomas Sr. and Annie Bell Thomas. She was the third of eight children.

Our beloved Catherine departed this life peacefully on September 14, 2023, at her in Memphis, Tennessee.

She was preceded in death by both parents: Percy and Annie Bell Thomas, two sisters: Rosetta Holmes-Young and Earline Anderson, one brother: Albert Gant Jr. and one granddaughter: Deloruf McGee.

Catherine grew up in Hayti, Missouri, and attended Hayti Central School. She also attended Wendell Phillips High School in Chicago. She moved to Chicago, where she met and married Rufus McGee II in 1960. To this union four sons were born, Rufus McGee III, Michael McGee, Stanley McGee, and Dennis McGee. Her husband, Rufus McGee II, and three of her sons Rufus III, Stanley, and Dennis preceded her in death.

She received an associate degree at Kennedy King College. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Chicago State University. She was employed at Cook County Hospital as an RN. She was employed as an instructor at Kennedy King College and Chicago State University. She also taught at Paul Roberson High School in Chicago and Memphis Job Corp. Catherine took pride in education and encouraged everyone to be all they can be!

She leaves to cherish her memory one son: Michael McGee of Memphis, TN., one grandson that she raised: Michael (Shena) Lee of Memphis, TN., two granddaughters: Kedrin McGee of Cincinnati, OH., and Sharisa Lee of Chicago, IL., one grandson Cedric Young of California, two brothers: Percy (Rosie) Thomas of Markham, IL., and Melvin (Sharran) Webb of Hot Springs, AR., three sisters: Lula Johnson of Oswego, IL., Vivian Washington of Chicago, IL., and Faye Thomas-Taliaferro (Earl) of Greenville, MS., one daughter-in-law: Cheryl McGee of Cincinnati, OH., 11 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral services were held September 23, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. at the John W. German Funeral Home in Hayti, Missouri with Pastor Darion Thomas officiating. The burial was in Evergreen Cemetery in Hayti. The pallbearers were Howard Holmes, Raymond Holmes, Bryant Holmes,     Sherrod Holmes, LaShun Thomas, and Marcus Johnson. Honorary Pallbearers were Percy Thomas, Melvin Webb, Michael McGee Sr., Cedric Young, Michael Lee, Earl Taliaferro, and Ernest Stokes Jr.

John W. German Funeral Home of Hayti in charge of arrangements.