Catherine Vannalee Jaynes

Catherine Vannalee Jenkins Jaynes, a cherished and wonderful lady, passed away on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. She was surrounded by her loved ones as she entered into her heavenly home in paradise. The meaning of Catherine's beautiful name is "pure," and those who were blessed to know her would say it suited her perfectly. Catherine lived her life with a pure heart- full of love, devotion, and faith that has guided her family for generations. She was truly the cherished matriarch of the Jaynes family.

Catherine was born on December 7, 1940, in Haywood County to the late James Walter Jenkins and the late Grace Rathbone Jenkins. We give thanks and rejoice for the 85 blessed years of her life. Catherine was loved by everyone, and she was blessed with many friendships that have remained throughout her life. As a young teenager, she met and fell in love with John "JJ" Jaynes, and from that moment, their hearts were intertwined. Together they shared a wonderful marriage of 65 years, an inspiration to everyone around them.

Catherine was an amazing mother and grandmother. She delighted in spoiling each one of them and sharing stories about them and their families with great pride- they were all treasures in her life. Her family was her greatest joy. As the guiding light of her family, she was always there- steady and supportive and with a heart full of love.

A woman of strong and devoted faith, she was a member of Fairview Baptist Church in Waynesville, where Catherine loved worshipping and sharing fellowship with her church family. Her faith shaped her life, and she lived it with grace, kindness, and humility.

Catherine and John spent many joyful years camping at Lake Chatuge, where they made lifelong friends and treasured memories at Ho-Hum Campground. Creative and talented, she enjoyed doing craft projects, and she crocheted beautifully. She also sewed quite a bit in her younger years, she learned the art of basket making, and even tried her hand at painting on canvas. Catherine was a wonderful cook, and her delicious dishes were the highlight of family gatherings, church events, and reunions.

Music brought Catherine great joy in these later months, especially gospel and classic country, and she so enjoyed listening to Alan Jackson. She was also a true NASCAR fan, always supporting Davey Allison.

Catherine retired from Dayco Corporation in Waynesville with 33 years of loyal service, and she later continued working with the Haywood County Schools at Waynesville Middle School in the school cafeteria for a number of dedicated years.

Catherine's family finds comfort in knowing she has entered the place of peace she longed for, just as the words of one of her favorite hymns, "Beulah Land"…" I am kind of homesick for a country, To which I've never seen before; No sad goodbyes will there be spoken, For time won't matter anymore"……Let us rejoice because we know sweet Catherine is in Beulah Land with her loved ones who have passed on before her. We shall think of her and miss her every day.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband, John Jaynes, who passed away in 2024; her brothers, Johnny Jenkins and Jimmy Jenkins; and her sister, Ginny Underwood.

Surviving are her sons, Steve and Patti of Waynesville and Eddie and Janice of Clyde; a daughter, Cathy and Jeff of Waynesville; grandchildren, Kelsey (Alex), Caleb, Dakota, Ryan (Julia), Chris (Nicole) and Ian (Jennifer), great-grandchildren, Phoenix, Jayden, and Adalynn; and extended grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Jessica, Kayleigh, Nathaniel, Kyle, Meadow, Matthew, Drake, Joshua, and Jason; a sister, Carolyn Haney of Clyde; a sister-in-law, Peggy Jenkins of Canton; and a blessing of many nieces and nephews.

A receiving of friends will be held from 12:00 noon until 1:00 pm on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at Crawford / Ray Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Canton. Following the visitation, a graveside funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm at Garrett-Hillcrest Memorial Park in Waynesville. Reverend Jennings Sizemore will be officiating.

Memorials may be made in Catherine's memory to Haywood County Hospice, 13 Haywood Office Park, Suite 107, Waynesville, NC 28785