Carol Rae Cato

Carol Rae Cato, 78, of Chester, and a former longtime resident of Petersburg, passed away Friday, April 19, 2013. Born in Bloomington, Illinois, she was the daughter of the late Marion R. and Elva Pearl Kinsinger DonLouie. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William Walker Cato, Jr. and her son, William Walker Cato, III. Mrs. Cato attended the University of Miami where she majored in fashion merchandising and was a member of Tri Delta Sorority. After college, she worked as a buyer for the Army Air Force Exchange Service. She later owned and operated a daycare and nursery school, in her home, for 20 years. She was a former member of the Altrusa Club of Petersburg. She was an active member of the Tri-City Area Republican Women, Federated Women’s Club of Petersburg, and Cockade City Garden Club. She was a member of Washington Street United Methodist Church. Most recently, she worked for the Petersburg Department of Tourism, conducting tours at various historical sites in the city. She also volunteered her time to maintain the memorial garden at Blandford Cemetery. In addition, she was Vice-President of the William Walker Cato Foundation and Vice-President of Appomattox Boat Harbor, Inc. Mrs. Cato is survived by her daughter, Crista Cato Manieri of Chester, grandchildren, Michael William Cato Manieri and Gareth Alexander Cato Manieri; a sister, Janet Kay DonLouie of Vero Beach, FL; nieces and nephews, Darryl Taylor, Cathy Taylor, Christian Vaughan, and Michael Vaughan. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Monday, April 22nd at the Petersburg Chapel of J. T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home & Cremation Service. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the William Walker Cato Foundation, P.O. Box 2741, Petersburg, VA 23804 or the Historic Blandford Cemetery Foundation c/o Thomas Carwile, 250 S. Sycamore Street, Petersburg, VA 23803. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com .