Hovis, Carlene Cathey

Carlene Cathey Hovis, age 88, of Warm Hearth Village, Blacksburg, VA, joined her Heavenly family on Sunday, March 5, 2017.

She died peacefully at Lewis Gale Hospital-Montgomery after a short illness.

Born February 8, 1929, in Charlotte, NC, she grew up in the Smyre Mill community in Gaston County, NC and was the daughter of the late Allen and Lundy Cathey. She was also preceded in death by her brother Boyt Cathey, sister-in-law Mary Grace Cathey, nephew Stephen Cathey, and niece Miriam Cathey Darby. Survivors include her husband Pascal of 63 years of marriage, daughter Cathey Bassett, son-in-law Joe Bassett, and grandson Riley. Sisters-in-law Lunett Auten and Peggy Hovis also survive, as well as nephews Bob Cathey, Tim Hovis, James Hovis, and grand-nephew, Aaron Darby. Many of her Cathey cousins are also still living.

Carlene graduated from Gastonia High School and was a graduate of Woman’s College of the University of North Carolina (now UNC-G). Following college she taught elementary school children in Albermarle, NC while Pascal served in the US Army in Korea. After marrying she taught in Creedmore, NC while Pascal attended Wake Forest College, and they made their first home in Wake Forest, NC. Pascal, Carlene and their only child, Cathey, moved from Hickory, NC to Jamestown, NC in 1970. While there they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in January 2004. To be closer to Cathey and her family they moved to Blacksburg, VA in 2008. Carlene taught English as a second language to students from foreign countries at Blacksburg Baptist Church. To quote a friend, “She was a superb teacher. . . with a twinkle in her eye.” Carlene was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She dearly loved her family and never met a stranger. She never had an unkind word for anyone, did not know how to be angry, and looked for the best in everyone.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday evening, March 8 from 6:30-8:30 pm at McCoy Funeral Home, 150 Country Club Drive SW, Blacksburg VA. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm on Thursday, March 9 at Blacksburg Baptist Church, 550 North Main St., Blacksburg, VA 24060. Following the service there will be a procession to the graveside at Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery, 5550 Bagging Plant Road, Dublin, VA. Memorial contributions may be made to Land of Promise Capital Campaign, Blacksburg Baptist Church, or to First Baptist Church of Jamestown, PO Box 788, Jamestown, NC 27282.