Billie Cathey

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Billie (Blackburn) Cathey, 84, of Waco, went to be with her Lord on Tuesday, March 20, 2007, surrounded by her family.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at OakCrest Funeral Home with the Rev. Ivan Ker officiating.

Burial will follow in Waco Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at OakCrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque Blvd. A memorial video honoring her life will be shared during the visitation.

Billie was born July 2, 1922 in Riesel to Roy and Nora Elizabeth (Stamper) Bayes, and she lived in this area most of her life.

She married Loyd Cathey July 30, 1954. She retired from Marathon Battery after 17 years of service, and was a member of Cornerstone Baptist Church.

She was a fun-loving mother and grandmother, always actively involved in the lives of her children and grandchildren, and was the center of our family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Nora Vaughn and Reba Werthen; her husband, Loyd, who died March 31, 1979; a son, Gene Blackburn in 1993; sons-in-law, Sam Erlanson and Hollis Koon, and daughter-in-law, Sandy Blackburn.

She is survived by three daughters, Gail Cochran and husband, Thurman of Waco, Charlotte Erlanson Dickson of Crawford, and Shelia Koon of Waco; grandsons, Ronald Blackburn of Crawford, Randall Blackburn of Fayetteville, N.C., Matt Cochran, Jeff Erlanson, and Chase Koon, of Waco; granddaughters, Kim Robinson and Elizabeth Cochran, both of Waco; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Thurman Cochran and Robert Cochran, and her grandsons, Ronald Blackburn, Matt Cochran, Jeff Erlanson, and Chase Koon. Honorary pallbearer will be Master Sgt. Randall Blackburn.

The family especially thanks Hillcrest Hospice for their excellent care, and suggests that memorials be made to Hillcrest Hospice.