Catherine Alred

Catherine Roberts Alred, age 71, passed away on Saturday, March 5, 2022, in Boaz, Ala. surrounded by family.

Cathy was born in Charlotte, N.C., to Alton B. Roberts Jr. and Ramona Westwick Roberts. She grew up in Lithonia, Ga., and graduated from Lithonia High School and then from Auburn University, where she met her husband, Tom Alred. They celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary in December.

Cathy was predeceased by her parents, and by a sister, Marian Hicks.

She is survived by her loving husband, Tom Alred of Boaz; children, Jim Alred (Tara) of Rome, Ga., and Catherine Crisp (Steven) of Dacula, Ga.; her siblings, Linda Alred (Mike) of Guntersville, Ala., and Chuck Roberts (Mona) of Greensboro, Ga.; and a sister-in-law, Ann Barrow, of Foley Beach, S.C., as well as by her four grandchildren: Ashley Alred, Hayley Alred, Andrew Crisp, and A.J. Crisp. She is also survived by her nieces and nephews: Wes Alred (Mary), Casey Poynter (Randolph), Charlie Roberts (Catharine), Shelbee Sorell (John), Leigh Ducworth (Austin), John Alred, and Charles Hicks (Jennifer), and a number of great-nieces and great-nephews.

Cathy loved her family greatly and celebrated the accomplishments of her children, nieces, nephews and grandchildren. No family gathering was complete without some of her baked goods, particularly her chocolate chip cookies or her renowned Christmas cookies. A teacher for 30 years, Cathy had a tremendous impact on students at several schools, including Lincoln Heights Elementary in Morristown, Tenn.; W.L. Swain Elementary in Gordon County, Ga.; Grassy Elementary in Arab., Ala.; as well as Corley Elementary and Boaz Elementary in Boaz, Ala.

Arrangements are being handled by McRae Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 10, at Marshall Memorial Gardens in Albertville. Bro. Jackie Gaston officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be John Alred, Wes Alred, Steven Crisp, Austin Ducworth, Randolph Poynter, Charlie Roberts and John Sorrell.

Cathy loved sharing her affinity for books with the many children she taught, often dressing up as the characters in the books she would read to them. It wasn’t strange to see her dressed as Pippi Longstocking, the Cat in the Hat and other title characters, helping bring the books to life for her school kids.

To help honor Cathy’s love of reading to children, donations may be made in her name to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in lieu of flowers.