Alsean Dawn Cato

CATO WINSTON-SALEM - Alsean Dawn Cato, 63, of Winston-Salem, NC went to rest on Monday, December 21, 2009 after a well-fought battle with leukemia. The eldest of ten children, she was born to Charles (deceased) and Eula Lee Gordon on September 29, 1946 in Belmont District, St. Andrew Parish, Jamaica, West Indies. Upon completion of primary school, Alsean matriculated to Kingsway High School in Kingston, Jamaica, from which she graduated. She went on to pursue a teacher's certificate at Mico Teacher's College in Kingston, Jamaica. Mrs. Cato received her Bachelor's Degree in Education at Kean College in Union, New Jersey and culminated her academic career when she received her Master's Degree in Curriculum Instruction from Andrews University in 1997. She married Vernon Cato on September 2, 1970. To this union, three children were born, Mishael, Michael and Marsha. Mrs. Cato was an exceptional teacher with an extensive career, spanning 35 plus years. She taught in various Adventist schools in Jamaica, Grand Cayman Island, New Jersey, Ohio, Florida, New York, and North Carolina. From Cayman Academy to Lakeside Christian in Ohio, from Mt. Calvary in Florida to Trinity Temple in New Jersey, from Flatbush in New York to Ramah in Ohio, from Baldwin's Chapel in North Carolina to Bethesda in New York, and finally to Napoleon B. Smith in North Carolina. Alsean's last position, as Principal of the Napoleon B. Smith Academy, combined her love and passion for teaching with her natural affinity for administration. Mrs. Cato is survived by her husband, Vernon Cato; children, Mishael Cato-Williams (Willie, III) of Charleston, SC, Michael Cato (Simone) of Charlotte, NC, and Marsha Cato of Winston-Salem, NC; two grandchildren, Patricia Dawn Williams and Willie Williams, IV (aka "Big Bill") of Charleston, SC; her mother, Eula Lee Gordon of Jamaica, West Indies; siblings, Franklin Gordon (Barbara) of Canada, Rudolph Gordon (Sharon) of Canada, Jacqulin Hall (Carson) of Jamaica, Glasford Gordon (Cheryl) of Jamaica, Jefferson Gordon (Janet) of Virginia, Asquith Gordon (Marcia) of Jamaica, Charles Gordon (Debbie) Jr. of New York; and sister-in-law, Kathleen Gordon of New York. Preceding her in death: Kedon Gordon, Maxwell Gordon (Violet), and Lascelles Gordon. She also leaves behind a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and loved ones. Alsean Cato was a remarkable woman of God and had an undying passion for young people. Funeral Services will be held 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 28, 2009 at Ephesus SDA Church with interment to follow in Oaklawn Memorial Garden. The remains will be placed in the Church at 9 until 11 a.m. for public viewing. There will be no veiwing prior. Arrangement are in the care of Douthit Funeral Services.