Cathy Jean Johnson

1950 - 2025

Cathy Jean Johnson

October 20, 1950 - January 30, 2025

Cathy Jean Johnson, of Sanford, formerly of Hickory, passed away Thursday, January 30, 2025.

Born October 20, 1950, in Catawba County, she was the daughter of the late Paul M. Johnson, Sr. and Frances Bumgarner Johnson.

Cathy graduated from Hickory High School in 1968 and East Carolina University in 1972. While at ECU she was editor of the school newspaper. After graduating from ECU she began her professional career as a lifestyle writer for the Wilmington Star News. From there she moved to Burgaw, N.C. where she was the Communications and Public Relations Manager of Four County Electric Membership Co-Op. Her final career move was to Sanford, N.C. where she simultaneously served as Communications and Public Relations Manager for three separate electric membership co-ops; Central Carolina, Piedmont, and Wake County. While Cathy never married or had children of her own, she considered her beloved four cocker spaniels as her children. Cathy was also an avid fan of Duke University basketball.

Cathy is survived by her brothers, David L. Johnson and wife, Jacquie Suther Johnson of Fuquay-Varina, N.C., Paul M. Johnson, Jr. and wife, Elaine Deal Johnson of Hickory, N.C.; nieces, and nephew, Wende Johnson Briggs and husband, Andy Briggs of Hickory, N.C. and Victoria Johnson Benditz and husband, Chad Benditzof Holly Springs, N.C., David Neal Johnson and wife, Lauren Imperiale Johnson of Durham, N.C.; great-niece and great-nephews, Kaela and Colt Briggs of Hickory, N.C. and William and Ryan Benditz of Holly Springs, N.C.

The funeral will be held on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at 2 p.m. at Bass-Smith Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. in the Jack Bass Memorial Building. Burial will be in Hickory at Catawba Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Bethany Lutheran Church, 1644 Main Ave. Dr. NW, Hickory, N.C. 28601, First Presbyterian Church of Sanford, 203 Hawkins Ave., Sanford, N.C, 27330, or Humane Society of Catawba County, P.O. Box 63, Hickory, N.C. 28602.

Online condolences may be left at www.bass-smithfuneralhome.com.

Bass-Smith Funeral Home & Crematory in Hickory is serving the family of Cathy Jean Johnson.