Jessie Cato

Jessie J. McKinley Cato was born Oct. 18, 1922, on Ringer Hill near Painton, Missouri, to the late Harry Thornton and Ada Irene Dixon McKinley.

She and her eight brothers and sisters were raised during the Great Depression, and she remained thrifty the rest of her life. Jessie left this life Thursday, Feb. 18, 2016, at the age of 93 years at Cape Girardeau.

Before moving to Advance, Missouri, Jessie attended the one-room schoolhouses of Stoddard County. She graduated from Advance High School. Jessie’s love of education and books stayed with her throughout her life.

As a teenager, she worked for several Advance businesses. In 1942 she hopped on a bus to catch up with the love of her life, Cletes “Bill” Cato, who was serving in the U.S. Army. Bill had wanted to wait until after the war to get married, or at least until he got to St. Louis, where he changed his mind. Jessie had quite an adventure on her way to catch up with him in Tacoma, Washington, where on July 7, 1942, they were married.

To this union four daughters were born, Cathy Diane, Jacquelyn Leah, Barbara Jo and Ramona Lane.

Bill continued his career as a soldier after the war ended. After leaving the military, the young family returned to the Cato homestead near Greenbrier, Missouri, to farm. Bill began a second career in education as a teacher, principal and superintendent. Jessie stayed at home, and they raised their four daughters.

In 1964, Jessie began working at the shoe factory in Advance. She loved to work, and she always enjoyed the company of her co-workers and friends. She also was employed in Winona, Missouri, as a school secretary.

Bill and Jessie shared many loves and passions during their 63 years of marriage: love of God, country, family, friends, church, community and the outdoors. After their retirement, they loved traveling, camping and fishing. They made yearly trips to Colorado in their little travel trailer, until Bill’s health declined.

Jessie always had a knack for identifying flowers and birds, and she looked forward to the monarch butterflies each year.

Jessie was a member of Bethel General Baptist Church, and she was delighted that their “Old Fashioned Sunday At Bethel” took place on her birthday in 2015, her last birthday in this world. Jessie received her 50-year Eastern Star pin from Zalma Chapter 509. She later became a member of Cape Rock Chapter 60.

Left to mourn Jessie Cato are her four daughters, Cathy (Bob) Cook and Barbara Cato of Cape Girardeau, Jacquelyn Cato (Ed Kubisiak) and Ramona (Mike) Bollinger of Waynesville, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Jim James of Wolf Lake, Illinois, Laura Huffman, Jeff Huffman and Christy Kidd, all of Waynesville, Brian Cook of Jakarta, Indonesia, Jacob Yearwood of Ukiah, California, and Sara Deshazer of Centerville, Minnesota; seven great-grandchildren, Andrea, Alex, Taylor, Kyle, Gavin, Griffin and Aubrey; and a host of extended family and beloved friends.

Jessie was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Ada McKinley; three sisters, Mildred Mary, Rachel Inez “Faye” and Bess; five brothers, Charles William, John Wilson, Carl Edward, Thomas Harold and Doyle Gene; her husband, Cletes Orville; beloved niece, Barbara Ann Brockett; and grandson, Steven M. Huffman.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at Morgan Funeral Home in Advance.

The Funeral service will be conducted beginning at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Afterwards, Jessie will be lovingly laid to rest at Morgan Memorial Park Cemetery in Advance.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cato Cemetery fund in care of Bank of Advance or at Morgan Funeral Home.