Catherine Ragland

1931 - 2025

Catherine Ragland

January 27, 1931 - February 9, 2025

Pittsboro, North Carolina - Catherine Crowe Ragland, 94, of Pittsboro, NC, died peacefully in her sleep on February 9, 2025. Born January 27, 1931, in Talladega, Alabama to the Reverend William Crowe and Catherine Graeber Crowe, she lived a life marked by devotion to family, and dedication to community service and social justice.

Following her graduation from Agnes Scott College, Catherine moved to New York City where she found a fascinating position as supervisor of the Guided Tour Service for the United Nations in its brand new contemporary headquarters in midtown.

In 1956, she married Frederick Norton Dickman, Jr. and moved to Cleveland, Ohio. As president of the Junior League of Cleveland, she was instrumental in the racial and religious integration of their chapter, helping shift the chapter's focus to a richer involvement in the city's diverse needs. Later, she earned a Master's in Urban Studies from Cleveland State University and served as Public Information Officer for Cuyahoga County, and later as Executive Director of the Orange County Women's Center in Chapel Hill. She married William Crutcher Ragland in 2000.

Catherine was known for bringing diverse groups of people together, often hosting gatherings that reflected her warm hospitality and culinary talents. She was an avid nature enthusiast and birdwatcher, enjoying hiking and camping for most of her life - especially if the destination was a river, lake or ocean. She remained active in the Presbyterian Church, and even in her final days of life demonstrated her encyclopedic knowledge of hymns.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband; sisters Alice Allen and Margaret Hatcher; stepmother Almeda Crowe Ellis; and children Elizabeth Read Blank and Frederick Norton Dickman. Survivors include daughters Catherine Taylor of Oakton, VA, and Janet Elbetri of Durham, NC; grandchildren Connor and Sarah Houghton, Rebecca and Sam Blank, and Adam Elbetri; great-granddaughter June Kersey; and is remembered fondly by her nieces, nephews, cousins, stepchildren and many friends near and far.

A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, NC on March 16, 2025 at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to: Compass Center in Chapel Hill, NC (compassctr.org/donate).