Mrs. Catherine O. Johnson

Catherine Olivia Williams was born February 28, 1941, to Lillian and Charles Williams in Evanston, IL. She was the youngest of four children, shirleil Ann, Pals Milland Carton Babby", and was alectionaley known as Kitty by family any friends.

Growing up, Kity attended public and nsion Township Iar schools, Foster, and se Garys Fiementary schools and then Church and then foist School. As a child, she Mended Gospel Tabernacle Baptist duaptist Church whined St. Mary's Catholie church. As an adul, Kity joined Scond Baptist hurd where she was a faithful and Churched member of the Ladies Auxiliary. Her lavorile scriptures were Psalms 51:10,

Proverbs 3:5 and Psalm 48:1.

Kitty met and maried Rufus "Pink ohnsom and they had four children, Wanda, Craig, Lisa, and Donald. Although a wile and mother, Kitty was determined to contin he her education, receiving her associate degree from Kendall College, Evanston, IL, and her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Barate' College, Lake Forest,

IL.

Kitty began her teaching career as a Preschool teacher with Evanston's Head Start Pro-gam. Upon receiving her degree, she was hired by Evanston School District 65 as a first grade teacher at Walker Elementary. Kitty was a beloved teacher at Walker for over 35 years. Still wanting to be a part of the education community after retiring, Kitty volunteered her time by tutoring, participating in special programs and reading to children. She was a caring, encouraging and committed teacher who gave her students the foundation and skills needed to learn and succeed.

As a child growing up, she was always interested in hearing and learning about her maternal and paternal family so much so that as an adult, she turned that childhood interest into a love for genealogy and joined the African American History Genealogical Study Group of Evanston and served in many roles. She was also a member of the Illinois State Genealogy Society, North Suburban Genealogical Society, African American Genealogical Society of Chicago, and the Augusta Genealogical Society (AGS). Her research has taken her to several different states and across the internet to gather information on her family. Through this research she had many successes including finding two additional siblings, learning the name of her mother's Maternal Great-Grandmother and locating a family member in Vidette, Georgia just to name a few.

A faithful and active member of the Foster Senior Club, Kitty held many positions, Correspondence Secretary, Chairperson of the Black History Committee, and Assistant Membership Chairperson. Always willing to lend a helping hand gained her the Senior of the year award in 2008.

To all that knew her, Kitty was a sweet, loving, and caring person. She was devoted to her family, especially her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, a dedicated friend to all and a proud Evanstonian.

Kitty was preceded in death by her husband, mother, father, sister Patsy Ann, brother Bubby and son-in-law William. She leaves to cherish her memory her daughters Wanda and Lisa (Curlee), sons Craig and Donald (Sherwanda), 15 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren, sisters Shirle, Rita Denise and Donna, brother Dwight, sister-in-law's Carrie Mae, Barbara and Alyce, brother-in-law Bennett, special friends Patricia Buggs and Janice Turner and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.Please keep the family in your prayers.

Arrangements entrusted to Thompson Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. Mr. Philip L. Gillette~ Funeral Director

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