Juanita Mccauley Catlett

Juanita McCauley Catlett, 79, of Abilene passed away on April 22, at a local medical center. There will be a private family memorial service on May 2, 2015. The arrangements are being handled by Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut Street in Abilene.

Juanita was born to Roy and Rosa Vee McCauley in Baylor County, Texas on December 4, 1935. Juanita grew up in Bomarton and attended school there as well as in Seymour until the age of 16 when she enrolled in college at North Texas. While in North Texas she met Ernest Catlett at an Air Force baseball game where he was a pitcher. They were married in 1956. During their married life they lived in many different communities but most of their time together was spent in Plainview, Texas and after his death, she lived in Lubbock until this past year when she moved with her daughters from Lubbock to Abilene.

Over her lifetime, Juanita earned three Masters Degrees, one from Texas Tech and two from North Texas. The degrees she earned helped her to be more effective in her teaching career, where she worked with special needs children. Juanita loved to read and cook and she was a lifelong student that truly believed in the value of education. She had her concealed handgun license and loved to do target practice with her .357 and 9mm. During the past few months in Abilene, Juanita attended the Lighthouse Daycare where she made many great friends.

Preceding Juanita in death were her parents, her husband, Ernest and a sister, Rose Marie Williams. She is survived by a son Ernest Catlett, II of Mesa, Arizona, two daughters; Lynn Cruz and Debbie Roberts both of Abilene, brothers Walt and wife Carol McCauley of Dallas, and Lloyd and wife Pat McCauley of Seattle, WA. Juanita is also survived by grandchildren; Wendy and Ross May, Leigha Valenzuela, Trendon Carter, Matthew Carter, Amber and Ryan Hembree, Alexandria Cruz, Christian Cruz, Brittany Catlett, Jennifer and Eric Busbea, Katy and Ryan Wentzel as well as 17 great grand children and host of other extended family members and close friends.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.