Catherine (Padgett) Gary

Catherine Padgett Gary, 92, daughter of the late William and Eva Padgett, was born May 19, 1931 in Edgefield, South Carolina. She was called from labor to reward on Saturday, September 9, 2023 at her home in Batesburg-Leesville, South Carolina.  She was the last of 13 siblings.  She was raised in Ridge Spring, South Carolina.

Mrs. Gary was married to the late Marion D. Gary. Mrs. Gary moved with her husband and daughter from South Carolina to Hempstead, New York in 1953.  A few years later, they settled in Roosevelt, New York.  Finally, Mr. and Mrs. Gary retired and relocated back to Batesburg-Leesville in 2004.

Mrs. Gary graduated from Ridge Hill High School in Ridge Spring, South Carolina.  She later worked in the cafeteria for the Roosevelt Union Free School District in Roosevelt, New York. Her last position was as a maintenance worker for The State University of New York at Old Westbury in Old Westbury, New York.

Mrs. Gary was a member of Holy Trinity Baptist Church, Roosevelt, New York.  She was a Deaconess at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Medford, New York.  After returning to Batesburg-Leesville, she became a member of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church.  She was a member of the Sanctuary Choir, Bryant-Hall Senior Missionary and a Deaconess.

In 1968, Catherine Gary, Estell Brown, and Carol Simpson started the Roosevelt Midget Football Cheerleaders and ran the concession stands in Roosevelt, New York.  1970-71, Catherine Gary and Carol Simpson started the Roosevelt Traveling Cheerleaders’ Division for the Traveling Biddy Basketball League.

Mrs. Gary attended President Clinton’s White House Christmas Party December 13, 1994.  During that time, she took a portrait photo with President Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton.  Mrs. Gary attended President Obama’s White House Christmas Party December 16, 2014.  During that time, she took a portrait photo with President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.

Those left to cherish her memory and celebrate her life include:  children – Laverne G. Brown of Batesburg-Leesville, South Carolina, Albert D. (Carolyn) Gary of Lexington, South Carolina, Garney Gary of Landover, Maryland, Brian Gary of Las Vegas, Nevada, Natalie Gary of Batesburg-Leesville, South Carolina, and (honorary daughter) Tisha Gary Ward of West Columbia, South Carolina; grandchildren – Terencia Brown (Linda) of Raleigh, North Carolina, Chanel Petty (Shawn) of Columbia, Maryland, Chad Gary (Ciara) of Monetta, South Carolina, Brittany Gary and Brian Hogan Gary Jr., both of Staten Island, New York, Makenzie Macintosh-Rollins (Duane) of Washington, DC and Myles Connor of Roosevelt, New York; sixteen great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends whom will miss her dearly.

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