August 31, 1927 – June 13, 2025
Kingstree, SC
Kingstree, SC
Funeral Services
Funeral services will be held at 11 AM, Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at Williamsburg Presbyterian Church. Burial to follow at Williamsburg Cemetery.
Visitation
Mrs. Rodgers’ family will receive friends and family at Williamsburg Funeral Home on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, from 6-8 PM for visitation.
Memorials
Memorials may be sent to Williamsburg Presbyterian Church, 411 N. Academy St. Kingstree, SC, 29556.
Catherine Cantey Rodgers, 97, widow of Harry H. Rodgers Sr., died peacefully Friday June 13, 2025.
Well before the invention of electricity and indoor plumbing, nearly a century ago, Catherine was born at home to Fallie Tharp and Lillian (Epps) Cantey on August 31, 1927. She grew up during hard times in New Zion, SC (Oakdale Community). There she developed her characteristic fortitude and resilience by picking cotton and tobacco to help the family eke out a living.
Catherine joined Midway Presbyterian Church at age 12, graduated high school at the age of 17 and married in 1945 at the age of 18. She was employed at Frierson’s Drug Store and Bell Telephone Company while her husband served in the U.S. Marine Corp. An active and cherished member of the Williamsburg Presbyterian Church, she was exceptionally hardworking and devoted to her family, friends, and community all her life.
She was always “on the go”, a veritable voyager who treasured her travel adventures far and wide. Catherine enjoyed vacationing, especially with family and friends. She went to the mountains, and beaches across the U.S.A. and to Europe. She was a blessed friend to all who were fortunate enough to cross her path as she progressed along her journey. She worked and lived and loved as a neighbor to everyone “by the side of the road”. She was recognized as a local artisan who readily shared her wisdom and special talents for quilting, ceramics, DIY crafting and all manners of needlework.
To honor her memory and extensive legacy she leaves behind her sons, Harry Herlong (“Hal”) (Michele) Rodgers and Michael Tharp (Maria) Rodgers. Grandsons, Christopher H. Rodgers and Michael J. (Kelsey) Rodgers.
Her step-grandchildren are Rachel E. Oertell, Dr. Adam G. (Anka) Stone, Emily Stone and Diana (Michael) Baker. Her step-great grandchildren are Eddie Oertell, Hailee Oertell, Brooke Stone, Ariana Baker and Melina Baker. Her “adopted” granddaughter is An (Bert) Van de Weghe-Vanloocke.
A very special niece, Cindy Parrott, was with Catherine daily since Catherine went to the McLeod Hospice House. We hope Cindy knows how eternally grateful we are for the loving and caring comfort she gave to her Aunt Catherine.
There are also many nieces and nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews.
In addition to her parents, Catherine was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 50 years, Harry H. Rodgers Sr., three brothers Milton “Bubba” Cantey, Wallace Cantey, and Bennie Fallie Cantey, one sister, Sybil Parrot.
Funeral services will be held at 11 AM, Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at Williamsburg Presbyterian Church. Burial to follow at Williamsburg Cemetery. Mrs. Rodgers’ family will receive friends and family at Williamsburg Funeral Home on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, from 6-8 PM for visitation.
Memorials may be sent to Williamsburg Presbyterian Church, 411 N. Academy St. Kingstree, SC, 29556. Online condolences may be sent to the family on the obituary page of our web site, www.WilliamsburgFuneralHome.com.
Well before the invention of electricity and indoor plumbing, nearly a century ago, Catherine was born at home to Fallie Tharp and Lillian (Epps) Cantey on August 31, 1927. She grew up during hard times in New Zion, SC (Oakdale Community). There she developed her characteristic fortitude and resilience by picking cotton and tobacco to help the family eke out a living.
Catherine joined Midway Presbyterian Church at age 12, graduated high school at the age of 17 and married in 1945 at the age of 18. She was employed at Frierson’s Drug Store and Bell Telephone Company while her husband served in the U.S. Marine Corp. An active and cherished member of the Williamsburg Presbyterian Church, she was exceptionally hardworking and devoted to her family, friends, and community all her life.
She was always “on the go”, a veritable voyager who treasured her travel adventures far and wide. Catherine enjoyed vacationing, especially with family and friends. She went to the mountains, and beaches across the U.S.A. and to Europe. She was a blessed friend to all who were fortunate enough to cross her path as she progressed along her journey. She worked and lived and loved as a neighbor to everyone “by the side of the road”. She was recognized as a local artisan who readily shared her wisdom and special talents for quilting, ceramics, DIY crafting and all manners of needlework.
To honor her memory and extensive legacy she leaves behind her sons, Harry Herlong (“Hal”) (Michele) Rodgers and Michael Tharp (Maria) Rodgers. Grandsons, Christopher H. Rodgers and Michael J. (Kelsey) Rodgers.
Her step-grandchildren are Rachel E. Oertell, Dr. Adam G. (Anka) Stone, Emily Stone and Diana (Michael) Baker. Her step-great grandchildren are Eddie Oertell, Hailee Oertell, Brooke Stone, Ariana Baker and Melina Baker. Her “adopted” granddaughter is An (Bert) Van de Weghe-Vanloocke.
A very special niece, Cindy Parrott, was with Catherine daily since Catherine went to the McLeod Hospice House. We hope Cindy knows how eternally grateful we are for the loving and caring comfort she gave to her Aunt Catherine.
There are also many nieces and nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews.
In addition to her parents, Catherine was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 50 years, Harry H. Rodgers Sr., three brothers Milton “Bubba” Cantey, Wallace Cantey, and Bennie Fallie Cantey, one sister, Sybil Parrot.
Funeral services will be held at 11 AM, Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at Williamsburg Presbyterian Church. Burial to follow at Williamsburg Cemetery. Mrs. Rodgers’ family will receive friends and family at Williamsburg Funeral Home on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, from 6-8 PM for visitation.
Memorials may be sent to Williamsburg Presbyterian Church, 411 N. Academy St. Kingstree, SC, 29556. Online condolences may be sent to the family on the obituary page of our web site, www.WilliamsburgFuneralHome.com.
My heart breaks 💔. C’atherine was my mama’s (Helen’s) best friend for so many years. I so enjoyed our visits after mama died. I loved her so very much. Hal and Mike she loved you and loved to talk about you and her other family members. Rest in peace sweet lady.
We are thinking of all of you.
Len B. and Claire Hudson (Watts) Gaskins
Prayers for the family during this time and days ahead
Lifting your family in prayer. May each of you feel the embrace of our Heavenly Father. May He grant peace and comfort in the coming days. Can you imagine the reunion in heaven? She will be missed. You all remain in my thoughts and prayers.
Aunt Catherine was a significant roll model for me as a child. I am happy I share her love of being a proud Wife, Mother and Homemaker for my family.
“Jesus said to her,
I am the resurrection
and the life. Those
who believe in me, even
though they die, will live,
and everyone who lives
and believes in me will
never die.'”
ーJohn 11:25-26
The Haigler family celebrated Ms. Catherine’s wonderful life and hold this lovely family in our prayers ❤️
“Miss Catherine ” was a force… when John’s illness was first diagnosed she led the charge to make a prayer quilt for him. She came along with Lucius Waites and Pastor Don to present it to John and we had a great visit and a nice lunch. The quilt has meant a lot to us and I believe it has helped John defy the odds of his life expectancy with his lung issues. The last few months it has been his constant companion helping to keep him warm when his oxygen levels drop so low he chills to the bone. I didn’t realize ” Miss Catherine ” was on hospice or I would have sent her this message personally, I’m sorry I didn’t get to tell her how much we have appreciated it.
I hope you can forgive us for not attending her service , John is on hospice now too and we are not getting out.
We will be praying for the family.
Our deepest condolences,
May and John Spearman
Meet Catherine at Presbyterian Community, she was a wonderful lady.
Prayers for the family.
We were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Catherine. We remember her as a truly lovely woman, someone who welcomed us with open arms and left a lasting impression on our hearts.
Please know that our thoughts are with you during this difficult time. May the beautiful memories you shared with her bring you comfort and peace.
With heartfelt sympathy,
Yvette Deflou, Andy & Koen Rebrée
Grandmama, my hero
Harry, Michelle, Christopher and Michael,
Our sincere condolences with the loss of Catherine. She was such a special person.
Bert, Julie and An
Gent, Belgium
Dear Grandmama,
I can not believe our story together is at the end.
We met when I was a four year old and now we are almost a half a century older.
My parents came to South Carolina for the company my dad worked for.They were so lucky to meet you and granddad. We became such good friends and to me you were more than a grandmama.
We had great times together, at the beach, you learned me how to swim, we went on trips with the camper, the ceramic house in the back yard,you learned me to drive a car,went to Disney world together and visited Europe.So many beautiful memories that puts a big smile on my face and warms my hart.
It’s hard to believe we won’t be able to Skype anymore.
You have always been at my side in life.
I will miss you so much but know you will always be in my heart.
The way you stood in life and handled things is an example to me.
Your Belgian granddaughter,
An
Bert and Julie