Cathy Herron Bankhead, age 61, of Sulligent, AL, passed away on Saturday, September 14, 2024 at Baptist Hospital in Jackson, MS.  A Celebration of Life service will be held on Thursday, September 19, 2024 at 6:00pm in the Sulligent High School Gymnasium.  The family will receive friends in the SHS Gym prior to the services from 5:00pm until 6:00pm.  The family has requested the viewing for Ms. Bankhead to be held at Otts Funeral Home on Thursday, September 19, 2024 from 12:00pm until 4:00pm prior to the Celebration of Life services.  Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 12:00pm at the Charleston High School Auditorium in Charleston, MS.  Visitation will be held in the auditorium on Saturday, from 11:00am until 12:00pm with burial to follow in the Herron Family Cemetery in Enid, MS.

Cathy was born on April 7, 1963 in Charleston, MS to the late Jessie Lee Herron and the late Mildred Smith Herron.  She was a 1981 graduate of Charleston High School in Charleston, MS and a 1985 graduate of Jackson State, where she was a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta.  Cathy later received her Bachelor's of Education Degree from the University of Mississippi and Masters of Education. She began her teaching career at Charleston Middle School before moving to Sulligent where she taught 4th grade for over 15 years at Sulligent Elementary.  Cathy was a very passionate and devoted teacher that left a remarkable legacy.  She loved her precious students and her school.  She was a faithful woman of God, always giving to others and letting her light shine to make someone's day brighter.  Cathy was a Sunday School Teacher, always spreading the love of Christ to anyone she could.  She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, shopping and working with her flowers or in the garden.  You could most of the time find her after school eating at the Mexican restaurant, which was her favorite. She also loved relaxing at the coast and enjoying the local seafood. She truly loved her family, but especially cherished making memories with her grandchildren. Her beautiful smile and bright spirit will always be cherished and lovingly remembered by all those she impacted.  Her voice, full of life and love, will always be echoed in the halls of Sulligent Elementary School and never forgotten.

Survived By:

Husband: James "Big" Bankhead, Sulligent, AL

Son: Joshua Shane Williams (Sherita), Batesville, MS

Brothers: Jessie Herron, Charleston, MS

Melvin Herron (Kathleen), Enid, MS

Charles Herron (Cordette), Enid, MS

Perry Herron, Charleston, MS

Sisters: Cheryl Dailey, Enid, MS

Carla Herron, Olive Branch, MS

Barbara Evans, Benton Harbor, MI

Grandchildren: Ja'Niya Williams and Jacob Williams

Preceded In Death By:

Parents: Jessie Lee and Mildred Herron

Brother: Larry Herron

Condolences and special memories may be shared with the family at: www.ottsfuneralhome.net

Otts Funeral Home

Sulligent, AL, Directing