Mrs. Cathy Johnson Woodward, 52, of Woodbury, TN passed away on September 23, 2021. She was born in Toledo, OH on June 17, 1969. Preceding her in death were her parents, Kenneth and Florence Johnson; husband, Stephen “Woody” Woodward; brothers, Tom, Terry, and Mike; and sister, Cheryl.
She is survived by her son, Dustin Johnson of Murfreesboro; daughter, Amanda “MeMe” (Mikey Jimenez) Woodward of Murfreesboro; grandchildren, Aubrey and Logan of Murfreesboro; mother of her grandchildren, Kristi Gatlin of Murfreesboro; brothers, Danny and Doug; and several nieces, nephews, and friends.
If you ever met Mrs. Cathy, she was sure to leave you with an unforgettable first impression. She possessed glamour and grace that was sure to leave you with a smile on your face. Her children rarely remember a time that she was not fixed up, and she was adamant about having her nails, eyelashes, extensions, tan, and everything else about her appearance put together.
Though said as a joke, she truly was a “classy Cathy.” Her Christian values and faith shined through in how she dressed and everything she did. Her apparel was modest, and she strived for perfection, especially when it came to her home. She centered her life around her household and around her husband. Everything had a particular place and stayed tidy, and Dustin and Amanda knew they were home when they smelled the mixed fragrances of vanilla candles and bleach.
Mrs. Cathy didn’t just focus on the material things though. She cherished and honored her relationship with her husband, Woody. They met around the age of 15, and at first, Mrs. Cathy couldn’t even stand him. However, eventually, Mr. Woody swept her off her feet, and the rest was history. Their relationship and marriage came first in Mrs. Cathy’s life, and Mr. Woody spoiled her by doing all of the cooking. They took their relationship and the investment in it and in one another very seriously.
But don’t let this paint the picture of a meek and mild woman. Mrs. Cathy had a feisty side, especially when it came to protecting her children or grandbabies. She also loved to laugh and have fun, and she created a lot of her own fun by being an animal lover. Her work as a veterinary technician helped her get to know God’s creation a little better. She loved her dogs Sadie and Daisy and taught them the command to “sit pretty.” They would sit on their back paws with the front ones held together in the air giving their best puppy dog eyes. Rather than sitting pretty, her cat, Ron, decided to sit lazy, choosing instead to lounge around the house.
All of the memories Mrs. Cathy left with her family come together to form a picture of love. She knew when to be tough and when to be soft, when to hold on and when to let go, and when to laugh and when to cry. The combination of her tenderness and extravagance made her an amazing mother and an even more amazing grandmother. She had a way with humans and animals that made both love her dearly. Her beautiful heart and beautiful soul will be carried on through all of the lives she’s touched.
Visitation will be held at New Beginnings Church (7700 George E Horn Rd, Nashville, TN 37221) on Saturday, October 9, 2021 from 2-3 pm. Memorial services will follow on Saturday, October 9, 2021 at 3 pm in the New Beginnings Church chapel. Mr. Lee Woodward will officiate. Share memories and condolences at www.gentrysmithfuneralhome.com Gentry-Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN 37190, 615-563-5337