Johnny Lee Cates

January 3, 1929 - February 3, 2018

Services for Johnny Lee Barron Cates are scheduled for 3:00 P.M. Wednesday, February 7, 2018 at the New Harmony Baptist Church with Bro. Robbie Caldwell officiating. Interment will follow in the New Harmony Cemetery with services under the direction of Caudle-Rutledge-Daugherty Funeral Home in Lindale, Texas. The family will receive friends from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Tuesday, February 6, 2018 at the Caudle-Rutledge-Daugherty Funeral Home in Lindale. Mrs. Cates died Thursday, February 1, 2018. Johnny Lee Barron Cates was born January 3, 1929, in New Harmony, Texas to Bruce and Lee Anna Meadows Barron and passed into eternity at the age of 89 with daughter Denise at her bedside, as she had been throughout her illness. The youngest of four children, she was a late addition to the household, quickly becoming the darling of the family and was treated as such by her sisters and brother throughout their lives. They each took delight in entertaining and caring for her, often taking her on outings on the family land for picnics with “stolen” eggs from their mother’s kitchen or other adventures. Johnny married Leon Cates in 1947 and gave birth to three children, Gerald, Roger, and Denise. She was a stay at home mom but spent a lot of her time wondering where in the world her children were during the day, as they loved to get on bicycles and explore the neighborhood. She was a wonderful cook, although each prepared dish was accompanied by phrases such as “This is not very good, this has too much salt, or this is too dry”. Her great loves were her family and working in her yard. Very often it was possible to reach her only by her cell phone as she was outside planting flowers or pulling weeds. Johnny faced adversity several times throughout her life but met each episode with resolve. In 1972, she and Denise moved from Hawkins to Tyler, Texas. Those times were difficult, and Johnny worked three jobs to support herself and Denise, but with her family’s help, they were able to build a happy, fulfilling new chapter in their lives. Later, she faced a battle with lung cancer and conquered that challenge as well. She worked for The State of Texas in different divisions, first before marriage and then later, after returning to Tyler, and continued there until her retirement in 1991. She was a member of Green Acres Baptist Church and attended the contemporary service where her grandson, Matthew, plays as a part of the praise team. She was an active member and continued to be faithful there until ill health prevented her attendance. She is preceded in death by her parents, Bruce and Lee Anna Barron, sisters, Lois Barron Stanley, Margaret Barron Rowland, brother, Frank Barron, and nephew, Joe Stanley. She is survived by sons and daughters-in-law, Gerald and Katherine Cates of Austin, Texas, Roger and Jane Cates of Leander, Texas; daughter and son-in-law, Roddey and Denise Hogan of Tyler, Texas; grandsons, Ryan Cates, Evan Cates, Tyler Cates, Matthew Hogan, and Cameron Hogan; great grandson, Isaiah Hogan, numerous nieces and nephews, and dear friend, Ray Green.