Catherine Louise (Woodward) Thomas

Catherine Louise (Woodward) Thomas from Avian Acre in Rock Hill, SC went from the arms of her beloved husband into the arms of her Savior on a beautiful fall morning after a prolonged struggle with Parkinson's and Lewy Body. Our loss is profound, but our hope is unwavering. She was the cherished wife of 58 years to Wayne, treasured mother to 6 grateful children, dear mother-in-law to 5, precious Nana to 27 grandchildren and GrandNana to 14 great-grandchildren.

Born the third of four children to Murray and Peggy Woodward on March 12, 1946 in Greenville, SC, she loved the Lord from early childhood and was baptized in her youth at First Baptist Church of Greenville. She grew in her faith through the means of grace and an avid love for the Word of God. She graduated high school in 1964 from Hampden Dubose Academy in central Florida, having received a Christ-centered education and some lifelong friends. She met Lawrence Wayne Thomas through her dearest friend and his twin sister, Patricia, while in college. They were married September 24,1966. Always ready to see life as an adventure, Cathy embraced a number of transient years with Wayne. They moved many times, lived in San Andres, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Lomalinda, Colombia among many other places they called “home,” no matter how short the stay. She had a way of taking “home” everywhere they went, easing the transitions for the family with quickly hung pictures and familiar bedding mixed with her sense of adventure. Their time as missionaries with Wycliffe Bible Translators served to grow her dependence on the Lord and increase her vision for life.

Her most valuable legacy is her faithful marriage and her children whom she lovingly served and nurtured. She instilled in them her love for the Word of God, sang hymns, helped them to memorize scripture, and regularly pointed them to Christ. She welcomed their spouses into the family as her own and loved them well, too. She delighted most in her partnership with Wayne in the grace of life and faithfully filled her role as helper and dearest friend. She was an amazing Nana who cared deeply for each grandchild, prayed faithfully for them and often spoke wise words into their lives. She sacrificed willingly and often to serve her children and grandchildren.

Her creativity and imagination made experiences fun and exciting, and her “can do” perspective on life meant she was delighted to help people and solve problems. She loved to draw and was often creating something with her own flare for artistry, beautifying the world around her. She made many lifelong friends with whom she easily reconnected as life allowed, seemingly as if they had never parted. She had a unique way of lightening the mood with her quirky sense of humor. She was open and trusting, thinking the best of others, quick to forgive and generous of spirit. She was a faithful counselor who pointed others to Christ and easily quoted scripture when the message was appropriate. Even in her suffering she was grateful, rarely complained, and preferred to consider the needs of others over her own.

Preceded in death by her mother Marguerite Elizabeth “Peggy” Woodward, father Murray Woodward, brothers Winston and DeWitt and sister Peggy Anne Russell, and “grandson” Jivan Borland.

Catherine is survived by her devoted husband Wayne, her heart’s delight; their children (Angela Thomas & William Brown, Candis & Shawn Brandt, AllyeB & Jim Sconyers, John “Jack” Thomas, Patricia & Sebastien Benicourt, Joshua & Vonia Thomas); grandchildren (Will, Caelan, & Quinn Brown; Ethan & Caroline Brandt, Caleb & Abigail Brandt, Alea & Thomas Thompson, Lydia & David Lippincott, Nathanael & Natalie Brandt, Ailsa, Aidan, Seth, Simon, & Jackson Brandt; Cordelia, Gemma, Elian, & Grace Sconyers; Joel, Elise, Simeon, Silas, & Elijah Benicourt; Isaiah, Krystyna, Isabella, Isaac, & Samuel Thomas); great-grandchildren (Maia, Olivia, Boaz, Georgia, Magnolia, and Henry Brandt, Liam Brandt, Joshua, Benjamin, Kezia and Evelyn Thompson, Gianna and Adelyn Lippincott; baby boy Brandt); sisters-in-law Patricia Thomas Underhill, Mavis Mangum, Kathy Woodward, and her nieces and nephews (Wendy, John, David, Katy, Kary, Kelly, Win, Will, Kristy, Mark), their children and spouses.

The family will receive friends at Bass-Cauthen Funeral Home in Rock Hill, SC from 6pm - 8pm on November 8th. The service will be held at Neely’s Creek ARP Church (974 Neelys Creek Rd, Rock Hill, SC 29730) at 10am on November 9th. A private burial will follow at Mountain Creek Baptist Church Cemetery in Greenville, SC. Pallbearers will be some of Cathy’s 17 grandsons.

Our family wishes to thank the many loving hands who cared for Cathy over the years of her declining health and mobility. She was always grateful for your kindness and we are too.