Mrs. Catherine Coley Brown

Bowing in humbled submission to the will of our Heavenly Father, it has become the solemn responsibility of the Batchelor Brothers Family to inform all, that Mrs. Catherine Coley Brown is now resting in paradise. Mrs. Brown put down the cares of this life on Friday November 25, 2022 in Pensacola, Florida

She was affectionately known as 'Cat' by close friends and family.  Later in life, fellow co-workers chose the name 'Cathy’, while son-in-law, David referred to her as ‘Ms. C’, leaving 'Catherine' the name of choice by only her grade school teachers at Central High School (Wayne County NC).  At this high school she received her entire grade school education, grades 1-12, and was a graduate of the class of 1956.  It was here that she played basketball and the French Horn in the High School Band.  She also began to develop outstanding underpinning business and office management skills. After high school she continued this development at Barnes Business College in Goldsboro, NC. As an exceptional student equipped with these valuable skills, Cat landed the job as the school secretary at Central High.

She was united in marriage to the love of her life, the late Leamond Jarvis “Jay” Brown and was blessed with a daughter. In 1963, following her husband, Cat relocated with her family to Fayetteville NC, where her husband pursued a degree at Fayetteville State College (now University) and she became a fulltime housewife and Mom.  After her husband received his degree, the family relocated to Washington DC where they both began their careers.     

Success stories published by Cat's employer, Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, revealed many of the outstanding contributions made to the agency as a Psychology Technician and valued employee. After the death of her husband and many years of dedicated service in Washington, DC, Cat retired and returned to her roots on the Coley Plantation in the Goldsboro area.  She worked faithfully with Central/Eastern Wayne Alumni & Friends, Inc., serving as chairperson of the hospitality committee. Cat was an avid reader and enjoyed watching TV Westerns and her Dallas Cowboys. She enjoyed traveling and cruising to the Caribbean Islands, the Bahamas, Hawaii, the US Virgin Islands and annual visits to Florida. 

Polished communication skills, as well as her strong determination to explore uncharted paths,  were among her strong points.  Her opinions on any issue of concern were readily shared, leaving her listening audience well aware of her stance.  Her faith was always the guiding light.  At an early age, she joined Woods Chapel Free Will Baptist Church (Goldsboro, NC) and remained a faithful member until her relocation to DC.  She continued her religious affiliation at the Church of Nativity, after her move to DC and later at St. Mary Catholic Church upon her return to Goldsboro.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her son-in-love Reginald T. Lewis, sister, Doris Joyner and brother, Ralph Barnes.  

Left to treasure her precious memories are her daughter, Debra (David) Pittman, Niceville, FL, granddaughters, Marissa (Brione) Claybrone and Tamika Pittman-Cook, grandsons, Jamara (Chandra) Pittman, Dwayne Pittman and Anthony (Tirtzah) Lewis, great-granddaughters, Yavonna Claybrone, Marie Pittman, Lily Pittman,  great-grandsons, Brayden Pittman, David “Maddox” Pittman and Milo Claybrone, sisters, Hilda Earline Altice and Janece Iva Jean (Frederick) Bibby, sisters-in-law, Pastor Doretha Brown and Evangelist Betty Barnes, dear friends, Susie Lewis, Mary Jean Fowler, Linda and Charles Bowers; Godchildren, Gerald Smith, Nicole Joyner and David Lewis , caregiver, David Frazier and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends

The Triumphant Obsequies events will begin with a visitation on Thursday, December 8, 2022, between the hours of 2pm and 6pm in the Life Celebration Chapel of Batchelor Brothers Funeral Establishment. The immediate family will be present from 4pm to 6pm to receive guests. Other moments of visiting will be held on Friday morning, December 9, 2022 from 10:15am until 10:45am at St. Mary Catholic Church in Goldsboro. A Mass will be called to order promptly at 11am. Following the events at the church, Mrs. Brown’s delicate temple along with her cherished family will be escorted to Evergreen Memorial Cemetery for Interment Rites. It is in this designated space that “Mrs. Cat” will remain, until time is called into eternity and all who have believed that He is a rewarded for those who diligently seek Him, shall be caught up in the middle of the air.

Visitors will be received at the residence located at 1032 Saulston Rd., Goldsboro, NC, where they will also assemble in preparation for the Prestigious Ebony Batchelor Brothers Motorcade. 

The sincere professionals of Batchelor Brothers Funeral Establishment are catering to the every desire of the precious loved ones of Mrs. Brown during this difficult crossroads in their lives. 

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