Lula Mae Cathey

Lula Mae Cathey of Hot Springs, Arkansas, formerly of Rison, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 15, 2025 at age 91. She was born on October 24, 1933 in Glenwood, Arkansas.

Lula Mae is survived by her twins Mark Cathey of Little Rock, and Kelley Cathey Smith and husband Tommy of England and her three granddaughters Anna Cathey Kennedy and husband Chris of Benton, Arkansas, Erin Smith Musgrove and husband Brent of Atlanta, Georgia, and Sara Cathey Hale and husband Trip of Marion, Arkansas. She is also survived by her five great grandchildren Elijah and Evelyn Kennedy, Josie Mae Musgrove, Nathan and Margaret Hale.

Lula Mae was preceded in death by her husband Grady Cathey, her parents Belva and Oma Black of Gurdon, Arkansas, and her brother Harry Black and wife Faye of North Little Rock.

She was a 1951 graduate from Gurdon High School. She went on to further her education where she graduated from Southern Arkansas University with her Bachelor of Science in Education and then Henderson State University with her Master of Science in Education. Lula Mae was an elementary school teacher for almost 30 years and was the 6th grade math teacher at Rison Elementary for most of her teaching career before retiring. She loved her students and loved supporting the Rison Wildcats.

Lula Mae and Grady were happily married for 63 years. In retirement, they moved to Hot Springs where they were members of the First United Methodist Church. They also loved to travel with their friends.

She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She was known as “Meme” to her granddaughters. Meme was a source of love and support for her girls, and above all Meme loved her “three angels” very much.

A special thank you to all of staff at Woodland Heights Senior Living for their wonderful care.

Visitation will be at 10:00 am Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at Buie-Cole Funeral Home in Rison. Graveside services will follow at 11:00 am at the Greenwood Cemetery in Rison.