Catherine Raleigh Cason, 102, peacefully departed this life on Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at her home.

Catherine was born on September 10, 1918 in Spencer, Virginia to the late Dewitt and Oradell Raleigh.  She was the oldest of four children and survived all of her siblings.

Catherine retired in 1983 from R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company after 40 years of employment.  The last 10 years of employment with Reynolds, she worked in what was known as the "Sewing Room" where she made aprons, tool belts, and canvas covers for 16-18 wheeler trucks that transported tobacco and machinery.   This time gave her so much joy since she loved working with her hands.

In addition to her parents, Catherine was preceded in death by her husband, George Cason; daughter, Janie G. Foster-Thompson; son, Alvonzel  Cason; sisters, Elizabeth Henderson, Melven  Bryan and Mary Corrothers; special friends, Elizabeth Nesbitt and Teretha Millner.

Catherine was affectionately known to many as Mama, Mrs. Cason, Ma Cat, Cat, Grannie, GG, Grandma and Aunt Kitty. She enjoyed listening to Gospel music, reading scriptures and passing Words of Wisdom and history to her family as well as friends in the community. Her caring ministry from home included sending cards (birthday, sick and shut-in, congratulations, etc.), at Christmas, baking cakes for sanitation workers and sweet potato pies for all her family.  She also enjoyed sharing her cooking skills which included her hen and dumplings, macaroni and cheese, pineapple cake, the weekly pound cake and of course those biscuits on Sunday mornings.  Friends and family were always welcomed and encouraged to share in the meal.  Pass time activities included word search puzzles, adult coloring, jewelry making and playing the card game concentration which of course kept her mind sharp.  She would often tell her children and grandchildren be careful, if you step one foot in and it does not feel right, just back up and turn around. This kept many of us out of trouble. Her passion was working with her hands; sewing, crocheting, cooking and canning. Many in the community reached out to her for her alteration skills, as well as dress making, wedding attire and window dressings, often from patterns she created herself.  She loved green plants, flowers and gardening, a passion passed on by her father who really had the green thumb.

She originally attended and joined New Bethel Baptist Church with her Aunt Sarah Manns.  She was a member of New Bethel for many years.  Later she joined Shiloh Baptist Church where she was a member for more than 40 years before returning to her home church, New Bethel Baptist.

Catherine was a member of many community organizations where she often served as Treasurer.

In 2018 there was a 100 ^th Birthday Celebration for her with more than 200 family and friends in attendance.   Among those attending was her physician of over 50 years, Dr. Bruce Brasher.

Catherine took pride in her appearance; wearing pretty hats, fashionable attire, making sure her hair was in place and feet were neat before venturing out to church, work or any social function. Those who knew her well knew she loved getting her hair brushed, combed and scalp scratched.  In later years when she had gotten her hair washed and there were curls, looking in the mirror, her comment would be "there's Cat or Miss Cat".

Catherine is survived by her daughter, Willette G. Winfield; sons, James Otis Gray, Monta Cason, Sr. and daughter-in-law, Bernese Sullivan-Cason, all of Winston-Salem. Grandchildren Tanya W. Jackson (James), Natlyn F. Wilson, Shelton Foster (San), James Foster (Robin), Anetia F. Garrison (Kenneth), Lynne F. Martin, Nina W. Walker (Stephon), Amy Butler, Tamala Tuttle, Alana Cason, Monta Cason, Jr. (Davina) and Matthew Lyons; 18 Great Grandchildren, 17 Great-Great Grandchildren; sister-in-law, Mary Cason and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends. Special friends and neighbor, Euphrobia Robinson, Yolanda Bailey, Dorothy Tanner, Valerie Taylor, Gracie Burwick, Delores McGregor, Frank Thomas Sr. Family, and Mable Millner.

Special Thanks to Caregivers, Jackie Thomas, Great Granddaughter Kenise Garrison, Zenobia Coker, Novant Health and Medi Home Health & Hospice.

A viewing will be held from 1:00pm until 6:00pm Tuesday, March 16, 2021 at Russell Funeral Home.

Private funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at New Bethel Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Kendall Jones officiating. Interment will follow in Piedmont Memorial Gardens.