Deborah Christine (Newton) Cathey

Deborah Christine Newton Cathey, 72, passed away Wednesday morning, December 2, 2020 at Greenhaven Health and Rehab in Greensboro.  She was born in Guilford County on May 18, 1948, to the late Jesse Newton and Connie Jones Newton.

Deborah is survived by, her son, John Cathey of High Point; daughter-in-law, Suzy Cathey; her daughter, Natalie Garcia of Greensboro; Freddy Garcia; sister Jamie Jenkins of Waxhaw; and four grandchildren, Christine Cathey, Sarah Cathey, Marc Medina, and Vera Garcia.

Deborah graduated from High Point Central High School in the Class of 1967.  She attended Guilford College, majoring in commercial art and advertising.  Her working career span through many fields; she started out as a film editor for the Fox 8 news channel.  As a land developer, she helped establish the residential neighborhood, “Cathey’s Plantation”.  She would later transition into sales, an area in which she excelled.  Someone once mentioned that she could, “sale a ketchup Popsicle to a woman in a white dress.”

Deborah embodied the meaning of being a true servant of Christ.  She possessed not only a strong feeling of empathy but a strong desire to take it to the next level and aid others in need.  Many times, a simple trip to the grocery store would take hours as she would reach out to someone she saw that was struggling or in need.  She would offer encouragement and prayer for the stranger; many of these strangers would become life-long friends, as her level of commitment was long term.

As much as she loved friends and acquaintances, her family was always at the forefront.  She always put her children, John and Natalie, first in her daily life -- making many sacrifices to ensure that they always got to participate in activities they enjoyed.  That love carried over to her grandchildren, who she helped care for during the early stages of their lives.

Deborah loved music, if you spent more than five minutes with her it was good odds that she sang you a song.  Some of her favorite memories involved singing in the band “The Chantells with the Aqua Lads” with her cousin Vicky Skinner.  They toured all over the country, opening for many big-name performers. One of her last phrases she would repeat was, “Vicky Skinner in New York”, recalling a special time when they got to perform in the Big Apple.  Her creative abilities also crossed over into the world of art. She loved painting and sharing her canvas creations with others.

She lived her life in a selfless manner always putting others before herself.  Over the last years of her life dementia took from her most of her cognitive and physical abilities but it could not take the heart of a servant.  When she was at Piedmont Christian Home, she would constantly pace the hallway of the wing designated for memory loss.  When she encountered residents crying, she would stop and hold their hands. Even though she had lost her skill of encouragement through speech, she would sit and provide comfort.

A celebration of life will be held next summer due to COVID 19.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Victory Junction 4500 Adam's Way, Randleman, NC 27317.

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