Edwin Ross Cathey

Alexander Funeral Home of Cleveland announces the death of Mr. Edwin Ross Cathey, age 91 of Helen. Mr. Cathey passed away Monday, May 4, 2015 following a brief illness. He was one week short of his 92th birthday. Mr. Cathey was born on May 11, 1923 in Towns County and was raised in Sautee Nacoochee in White County. He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Doris Ruth Cornell Cathey, his parents, James Melvin and Roxanne Elliot Cathey, sisters, Jessie Kimbrell, Lee Edwards, Fern McConnell and Eva Fox as well as brothers Roy”Bud “ Cathey, Ralph Cathey , Thurston ‘Tobe” Cathey, Frank Cathey, Horace Cathey and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Cathey graduated from Old Nacoochee High School in 1940  and Rabun Gap Junior College. He attended Stanford University and the University of West Virginia while in the United States Army during WWII. He was trained as a paratrooper, and served with the 102nd Infantry Division from 1943-1946.

He was a member of Center Baptist Church and had served in the past as Mayor and City Councilman in Helen, and as member and President of the Lions Club. He was a former member of the Ruritan Civic Club, former manager of the Helen Feed Store , co-owner of the Iceberg Resturant in Helen, and retired from the U.S. Forest Service after 32 years of service .

Mr. Cathey is survived by sons and daughters in law, Richard ‘Skeet” and Beth Cathey of Jefferson, GA., Skip and Judy Cathey of Cleveland, Jeff and Zulene Cathey of Sautee; grandson and wife Jeremy and Kelly Cathey of Cleveland; step-granddaughter and husband, Libby and Will Tonogan, Cleveland; step grandson, J.D. Brewington, Tennessee, great grandchildren, Grayson and Paisley Cathey, and step great grandchildren, Dylan and Gracie Tonogan and several nieces and nephews.

Family visitation will be Thursday, from 5-8pm, at Alexander Funeral Home, 2721  Hwy 129 South  in Cleveland with funeral services scheduled for 11:00am, Friday, May 8, 2015 in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Michael Wilkes and Rick Trivett officiating. Interment will follow in Gateway Memory Park with Rev. Gary Hefner officiating

Flowers will be acknowledged however it is requested that memorial donations be made to Center Baptist Church Building Fund, 109 Elrod Rd., Helen, GA. 30545

To share a memory of Mr. Cathey or to send condolences, please visit www.alexander-funeral.com

Alexander Funeral Home of Cleveland in charge of arrangements (706)865-1500