Julia Wayne Henson Cate Donaldson

Our dear mother, Julia (Judy) Wayne Henson Cate, affectionately known as Nannie, peacefully passed away on July 28, 2024 in Little River, SC. She was born July 14, 1929 in Knoxville, TN to Dr. and Mrs. George G. Henson. She was preceded in death by Philip Dykes Cate and William C. Donaldson. She attended Knoxville High school, University of Tennessee and graduated with her master's in education from Oglethorpe University in Atlanta. She taught at Dunbar Elementary school in downtown Atlanta for 12 years. She resided in Sunset Beach, NC at the time of her passing.
She was a wonderful mother to five children: Madeline Turner and husband Jim from Little River, SC; Wayne Cate and wife Joyce from North Myrtle Beach, SC; Tim Cate and wife Janet from Sunset Beach, NC; Julia Cate from Titusville, FL and George Cate from Pensacola, FL. and a wonderful grandmother to her thirteen grandchildren: John Edwards from Atlanta, GA, Michael Edwards from My Pleasant, SC, Hannah North from Palmetto, GA, Philip Cate from Buford, GA, Stuart Cate from Port Tampa, FL, Melissa Fagan from Alpharetta, GA, Stephanie Lord from Manchester, MD, Meghan McSwain from Mt Pleasant, SC, Margot Cate from Missoula, MT, Sarah Bass from Deerfield Beach, FL, Nelson Bass from Naples, Fl, Brett Lane from Titusville, FL, and Loren Previti from Colorado Springs, CO. Also, she leaves behind twenty-four great grandchildren. She was always there when her family needed her, offering support, wisdom and an abundance of unconditional love. She brought immeasurable joy and light into our lives with her kind and giving heart. For at least sixty years, every summer, she provided her family with a "beach vacation" that brought family members together for fun, laughter and unforgettable memories galore. The depth of love and happiness she shared will forever remain in the hearts of her family.
Nannie had an adventurous spirit that took her across the globe, leaving a trail of cherished memories in her wake. Whether she was walking along the Great Wall of China, exploring the streets of London, or admiring the pyramids of Egypt, Nannie's travels were filled with joy, discovery, and a relentless zest for life. She embraced new experiences, cultures, and people with a warm heart and an open mind, always eager to learn and connect with others. This spirit lives on in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who have not only lived and worked in various countries but have collectively traveled to all seven continents.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, August 3rd from 9:30-10:00am at Rose Funeral & Cremation - Mann with a funeral service to follow, Rev. Dr. Alan Smith officiating. Interment is to follow the funeral at Highland Memorial Cemetery.