Wife, Mother and Community Leader Jonnie Mae Catoe Dies at 86
Wife, Mother and Community Leader Jonnie Mae Catoe Dies at 86
(San Bernardino, CA) Jonnie Mae Catoe departed this life December 9, 2014.
In this life Jonnie leaves behind her loving children: Eddie Jr., Kathleen (Randy), David (Sylvia), Donna (Brian), and stepdaughter Melissa (Ira).
She is also survived by: six grandchildren, one step-grandchild, four great grandchildren and four-step great grandchildren, one sister Anna and a host of cousins, nephews and niece.
Catoe was proceeded in death by her loving and devoted husband Eddie Sr. a retired Air Force veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars and local entrepreneur, one brother Howard, two sisters Jean and Minnie Lee, one daughter Barbara, two grandsons Andrew Paul and Jordan Matthew and step grandson Thomas David.
Her viewing is from 1:00 – 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 17, 2014 at Harrison-Ross Mortuary, 738 East Highland Avenue, San Bernardino, CA 92404
Funeral services are 10:00 a.m., Thursday, December 18, 2014 at Temple Missionary Baptist Church, 1583 Union Street, San Bernardino, CA 92410. She will be interned with her husband at Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside, CA 92518 subsequent to services.
Jonnie Mae Catoe was born December 6, 1928 in Kershaw, South Carolina to Andrew and Fanita Mae Clinton. She was the second of five children. She spent her early years residing in Kershaw, SC where she received her primary education and later relocated to Washington D.C. whereas she completed her secondary education.
“My mother received Christ as her personal Savior at an early age. She was baptized by her maternal grandfather Reverend Zedidiah Beckham and resided with him and her grandmother prior to her relocation to Washington D.C.,” said son Eddie Catoe, Jr.
Jonnie met Eddie Catoe Sr., the man who would serve as her life long partner and husband of 49 years as a child in Kershaw, SC., and later reunited with him in Washington D.C. The two entered matrimony in 1951 and began a family. From this union they had five children.
Catoe fulfilled her dream of residing in California moving with her family to San Bernardino in 1960. She later attended nursing school at St. Bernadine’s Hospital and serving as a “Candy Striper”.
“Mom was well known for her fashion sense,” said Eddie Catoe. “She was well known as a talented and phenomenal seamstress and tailor. She worked in this capacity at Harris & Franks and the old Harris Company in San Bernardino prior to embarking in her own tailoring business. She was highly skilled known for her own designs and patterns producing and hosting numerous fashion shows,” he added.
Eddie describes his mother as a very beautiful, athletic and vibrant woman. She was member of St. Anthony’s Church, later attending Temple Missionary Baptist Church. She was a member of the Les Juenes Ami’s Social Club and the NCO Wives Club.
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