Mary Catherine Culp

Mary Catherine Manning Culp peacefully departed this life on August 8, 2015 and into the loving arms of Jesus, who took her to be with her dear husband Bruce and son, Bruce Jr. She was born in Mississippi in 1926 and graduated Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in 1947. Catherine and Bruce were married for 59 years. Catherine was a Public Health Nurse for the State of Mississippi for 38 years and spent her retired years volunteering in the service of Alzheimer's patients in Florida and continued her volunteer service as a member of the Shannondale community since 2003. Catherine had a passion for service, and shared her gifts with everyone she knew. She was an excellent cook and baker, she was generous with time and attention to her family, and she always put her family and friendships first. She is predeceased by her parents, Mr. & Mrs. E.C. Manning of Clarksdale, Mississippi, sisters Jean and Patricia, her loving husband Bruce W. Culp (d. 2005), and her dearly loved son, Bruce W. Culp Jr. (d. 2012). Catherine is survived by her daughter, Pamela Adair (Lonnie) of Maryville, TN; daughter, Cindy Abernathy (Eddie) of Rogersville, TN; daughter-in-law, Phoebe Culp of Dallas, TX; seven grandchildren, Tracy Adair-Derning (Sean) of Lawrence, KS, Trevor Adair (Chelsea) of Greensboro, NC, Brett Abernathy (Rachel) and Lance Abernathy (Rosie) of Rogersville, TN, Wren, Catherine Mabry, and Jackson Manning Culp of Dallas, TX; two great-grandsons, Caleb Adair of Greensboro, NC and Keegan Derning of Lawrence, KS. A memorial service will be at 3:00 PM, Saturday, August 15, 2015 at Dotson Memorial Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 2:00 until 3:00 PM prior to the service. In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations may be made in her name to: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memorial and Honor Program, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Alzheimer's Tennessee Inc., 5801 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919, www.alztennessee.org. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Mary Catherine Culp please visit our Sympathy Store.