Nanita Cassady Cates

Nanita Cassady Cates, born April 30, 1935, in Greenville, Alabama, peacefully passed into eternal rest on May 12, 2025, joining her beloved husband of 67 years, Joseph Alvin Cates, who preceded her in death two years earlier.
Nita's life overflowed with kindness, compassion, and an unwavering faith in God. A graduate of Lowndes County High School and Auburn University, she dedicated herself to educating young minds. While she briefly taught in public school and later in a private preschool and kindergarten, her true joy came from nurturing young hearts in Sunday School, where her impact on generations of children was profound. In fact, many of the two-year-olds she taught with "Mr. Joe" are grown with children of their own now but kept in touch with "Ms. Nita" or their "My Cates" up to her passing.
Nita was introduced to the love of her life on a blind date while he was visiting a cousin. They became the parents of four children: Bonnie (Frank) Nicks, Ross Cates, Patti (Mark) Grady, and JoAnn (Terry ) Powell, five grandchildren: Hannah Nicks, Riley (Justin) Crabb, Jacob (Laura) Nicks, Terence Powell, Cassady Powell and five great-grandchildren: Kyran Nicks, Jacob Crabb, Tyler Crabb, Nora Nicks and Bo Alvin Nicks.
She adored her role as "Grand" to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, actively participating in their lives with boundless love and joy. Whether teaching them to paint, cheering at ballgames, playing Canasta, trick or treating up and down the street hand in hand, or playing tic-tac-toe through a glass door during COVID, she cherished every moment spent with her family.
Throughout her life, Nita cultivated deep and lasting friendships, valuing connection and service to others. At the time of her passing, Nita still maintained friendships from her childhood as well as her college years.
Her passion for art, cooking, and her active involvement in the Kentucky Gourd Society reflected her vibrant spirit and creativity. Above all, her faith was central to her life, guiding her as a prayer warrior and avid student of the Bible. She was a dedicated member of the Southside Church of Christ and later the Alvaton Church of Christ.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, May 19, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. in the Alvaton Church of Christ. 10134 Alvaton Road, Alvaton, Kentucky 42122.
Nita loved gathering with family and friends. Her family would be honored if you joined them to celebrate her life and the profound legacy she leaves.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Church of Christ Disaster Relief Effort at https://www.disasterreliefeffort.org/donate.
Arrangements have been entrusted to J.C. Kirby & Son Lovers Lane Chapel.