Willie Catherine Hathorn
Funeral services were held Dec. 27, 2024, at Oakvale Baptist Church in Oak Vale for Willie Catherine Hathorn, 88, of Oak Vale, who passed away Dec. 23 at Lawrence County Nursing Home. Interment was at Oakvale Baptist Church Cemetery in Oak Vale. Bro. Eddie Myers officiated the services. Chris Turnage and Teddy Millette provided special music. Hathorn Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Catherine attended Monticello High School and went on to attend Copiah-Lincoln Junior College, where she was elected Miss Copiah-Lincoln and was inducted into the Co-Lin Hall of fame. In 1956, she married Jesse Calvin Hathorn. Together, they operated Hathorn’s Grocery and Hardware until his death in 2007. Mrs. Catherine continued store operations with her son Joey until 2021 when she retired at the age of 83. Hard work and humility were pillars of her character. The store was her mission field, where she showed the love of Jesus to countless customers over the years. Catherine was a long-time member of Oakvale Baptist Church, where she sang and used her beautiful, sweet voice to sing cherished hymns to her Savior. Many of her retired days were spent enjoying the gospel music she loved so much. She was the most humble servant of her beloved Lord. The impact she had on her community and loved ones is immeasurable. Her life of service and love will certainly continue through those who were fortunate enough to be loved and influenced by her.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Calvin Hathorn; father, William Steen; mother, Ludie Edwards Steen; sister, Anne Story (Billy); and brother-in-law, Billy Stephens.
She is survived by her two sons, Joey Hathorn and Landall Hathorn (Alicia); two daughters, Charlotte Freeman (Wilbur), of Oak Vale, and Gail Millette (Teddy); eight grandchildren, Catherine Lawhorn (Alex), Teddy Millette (Karen), Matthew Millette, Rachael Jones (Jonathan), Heather Beddingfield (Bo), Paul Patterson (Samantha), Rose Hathorn, and Anna Hathorn; seven great-grandchildren, Lucy Lawhorn, William Lawhorn, Molly Lawhorn, August Jones, Calvin Beddingfield, Maddy Beddingfield and Luke Patterson; sister, Bobbie Stephens; and a host of nephews, nieces, and friends.
Pallbearers were Paul Patterson, Calvin Beddingfield, Chet Myers, Waygon Sanders, Kyle Williamson, Zac Parkman, and Wes Daniels. Honorary pallbearers were Jan Sanders, Beth Williamson, Richard Bourn, and Bill Hammond.
