Mary Virginia Cathcart

Wife of Dr. J. Noel Cathcart, died peacefully at home in the afternoon of Tuesday, October 24, 2023 in her Conyers, GA home at 92 years of age. She was a New Years Baby born January 1, 1931 in Dallas, TX to Mr. Waverly Thomas Eaves and his wife, Mary Louise Smith Eaves. Shortly afterwards they moved back home to Atlanta where Mrs. Cathcart was raised as an only child.

Mrs. Cathcart, called Jenny by friends and co-workers, worked as the Executive Secretary for the Atlanta Junior Chamber of Commerce for over 20 years. In that role, she oversaw the annual charitable Empty Stocking Fund drive and toy giveaway until 1981. Subsequently, she worked for the City Council of Atlanta as an administrative assistant for 11 years and then as a human resources administrator for 9 years, retiring from the city in 2001.

After a brief attendance at the Georgia State College for Women in Milledgeville, GA (now Georgia College & State University), she married Dr. J. Noel Cathcart, her high school sweetheart and, subsequently, a prominent Atlanta optometrist in 1949. After residing in several southern towns, they settled in Dekalb County, GA in the mid-1950s where they raised their family of four boys and remained happily married until his death in 1996.

In retirement she enjoyed her passions for traveling, reading, bridge, and her many and various breeds of dogs, including several rescue dogs, along with her part-time work at the Conyers Public Library from the early 2000s until 2020.

Mrs. Cathcart is survived by her surviving sons and spouses, Dr. Michael and Connie Cathcart of Jefferson, GA, Mr. Steve and Kathy Cathcart of Ormond Beach, FL, and Mr. Scott and Alicia Cathcart of Conyers, GA. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. J. Noel Cathcart, and her oldest son, Clifford Noel Cathcart who passed in 1980, and several dozen of her dogs. In addition, she is survived by 11 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and 3 dogs.

The family will receive friends from 7-9pm Friday evening, October 27 at A S Turner and Sons, 2773 N Decatur Road, Decatur, GA, 404-494-1551. The funeral service will be at 11:00am on Saturday, October 28 at the same location followed by interment at Arlington Memorial Park, 201 Mount Vernon Highway, NW, Atlanta, GA 30328.

In lieu of flowers and in honor of her great love of dogs, she has requested contributions be made to any of the following animal charities: Best Friends, 5001 Angel Canyon Road, Kanab, UT 84741; Rockdale Animal Hospital Foundation, 1995 Flat Shoals Road, Conyers, GA 30013; Good Mews, 3805 Robinson Road NE, Marietta GA 30068.