Catherine Foster Wilkerson, 71, of Vicksburg, died May 19, 2020 at the University of Alabama Medical Center in Birmingham, Ala.

Cathy was born in Vicksburg on June 25, 1948. She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl H. Foster and Catherine Hitt Foster, as well as her older brother, Carl H. Foster Jr. and older sister, Eleanor F. Terry.

Cathy is survived by her husband, G.T. Wilkerson Jr.; three daughters, Cydney Wilkerson Buchholz, Chad Muehlstein and Catherine Wilkerson; and one son, Toby Wilkerson. She is also survived by her brother, James E. Foster Sr.; her sister, Anne C. Tanner; six grandchildren; and a number of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives.

Cathy was a lifelong resident of Vicksburg. She graduated from H.V. Cooper High School in 1966.

Cathy loved music and excelled at it from an early age. She sang in the high school choir and played the French horn in the high school band. She sang in the Girls’ sextet and the Madrigal Singers, as well as the musical productions “Amahl and the Night Visitors” and “Oklahoma.”

She was the student conductor for the band her senior year and the band librarian. She attended Hinds Junior College, earning an AA in Fine Arts (Voice), and the University of Southern Mississippi, earning a B.S. in English education with a double minor in history and music.

After graduation, she returned to Vicksburg and became a dedicated employee of the Vicksburg Public School system, teaching at both the junior high and high school levels. She taught English and social studies, as well as directing the Vicksburg High choir for a number of years.

She created and produced a student literary magazine for Vicksburg High School.

Cathy and Mrs. Letty Fry also operated a small business, helping with ACT preparation for high school students.

After receiving her master’s degree in educational counseling from Mississippi College, she worked as a counselor for the Center for Alternative Programs, and also as an elementary school counselor at Sherman Elementary School. She retired in 2011.

Cathy was a lifelong and devoted member of First Baptist Church. She was in the church choirs, GA’s as a young person, and later she was the youth choir director there.

She was the choir director for Hawkins United Methodist Church for several years and sang at the Anshe Chesed Temple for sabbath services and during High Holy Days. She wrote all of the music for the Sesquicentennial Day services at First Baptist Church and was a frequent soloist there.

Cathy will be missed beyond measure by her family and friends.

A celebration of her life will take place if possible at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, and since a service cannot be held at this time, donations can be made in Cathy’s name to Compassion International, a cause that was very close to her heart.