Kathy met her much beloved husband James David Cates in 1974, and they married in 1975. He survives her with a 49 year legacy of memories and love.
Mrs. Cates was a retired bus driver and cafeteria worker for the Maury County Board of Education. She enjoyed shopping at Goodwill for hidden treasures and also spending time tending to her plants and growing flowers. She also avidly loved decorating any and everything from her home to others homes and had an eye for it.
Kathy spent her last years with her children and grandchildren by her side making memories and regaling us all with old ones. David and Kathy enjoyed telling stories of their lives together to all of us.
Along with her cherished husband Kathy is survived by her children, her precious grandchildren and great grand children.
Her children include: Michael Shawn Cates (Angela) of Lyles TN, Amanda Lorraine Wentzel (Justin) of Cornersville, TN, Melissa Dawn Suiter (Daniel Noland) of Columbia, TN and Matthew David Cates (Brittany) of Columbia, TN. Kathy, also affectionately known as “Nana” is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Lacey Nicole Burns (Cody) of Michigan, Hannah Marie Bone of Columbia, Ryan Micheal Suiter (Julia) of Culleoka, Sierra Chaney of Lawrenceburg, Hailey Lynn Wentzel of Columbia, Hank Alan Noland of Columbia, Augustus David Wentzel of Cornersville, Harper Jewel Wentzel of Cornersville, Ayden Matthew Cates of Columbia and Holland Asher Woodrow Wentzel of Cornersville, and Tenleigh Marie Bone of Columbia also survives Mrs. Cates as her great grandchild.
Her other great grandchildren include Jaxson Sullivan Burns, Anivia Phoenix Burns of Michigan and Waylon Knox Chaney of Lawrenceburg. She also leaves behind her loving sister Cheryl Permenter of Plant City, Florida as well as a special nephew Christopher Wayne Newcomb of Columbia, TN.
The family would like to extend our most sincere gratitude to Compassus Hospice Care as well as her Nurse, Glenda, and to our special family friend Kiela Burton-Perry who helped us all along this journey.
A memorial gathering for Mrs. Cates will be held on Monday, April 7, 2025 at Williams Funeral Home in Columbia, Tennessee from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
Williams Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
