Mrs Grace Catherine Flowers

October 23, 1917 - November 12, 2012

Grace Catherine Flowers, 95, peacefully made her transition Monday, November 12, 2012. Born October 23, 1917, Grace Catherine Smith, affectionately called “Cat” by her loved ones, lived for more than 42 years in Greensboro, NC with her husband Thomas Winfred Flowers, who preceded her in death. Together, Catherine and Tom raised six children: Thomas, Antoinette, Starling, Raymond, Michelle and Edsel. As Tom became a renowned horticulturalist, Catherine found her pride and peace in creating a loving, joy-filled home for her family. She found fulfillment in gardening and especially liked planting new flowers and growing vegetables. She also enjoyed working with a number of organizations, including the North Carolina Professional Women’s Club and the Philathea Circle Garden Club. When her last child was in school, she joined the staff at Bennett College, where she managed the college post office for more than a decade. She enjoyed the educational environment and working with interesting students from all parts of the U.S. Catherine and her family were for many years, faithful members of Providence Baptist Church, where she supported the Women’s Ministry and was known for her warm smile and her stylish signature hats. As the last of the Flowers children graduated college, Catherine and Tom enjoyed travel, social events and became avid bowlers – even winning several bowling awards. After Tom’s death, Catherine later moved to Chicago to be near her sisters and several of her children. She was showered with love and support from her family until her final moments. Catherine is survived by two sisters, Louvenia and Minnie Pearl, her six children, Thomas, Antoinette, Starling, Raymond, Michelle and Edsel; three daughters-in-law, Camella, Fice and Kathy; one son-in-law, Anthony; a brother-in-law, Stacy; 15 grand and great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a host of family members and friends. Funeral services will be held in Chicago, Illinois on November 17. Catherine will then be brought to Greensboro, her final resting place. Visitation will be held at Brown Funeral Home, 909 East Market Street in Greensboro on November 18, from 3:00 – 9:00 p.m. A graveside Celebration of Life service will be held on Monday, November 19, 11:00 a.m., followed by burial at Lakeview Cemetery, 3600 North O’Henry Boulevard. For more information on the Chicago service, visit travisfh.com. For details on the Greensboro service, call Brown Funeral Home at 336-272-6109.