Anna Catherine “Cathy” Wilbanks passed away on Friday, July 8th after a long illness. A Rite of Christian Burial will be held for her at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 4300 North Market St. in Shreveport, on Tuesday July 12th, with Visitation from 9:30-10:30 a.m. and services at 10:30 a.m.
Cathy was one of five children born to W. A. and Eudolie Davis of Rodessa, Louisiana. Later her family moved to Shreveport where she finished elementary and middle school and graduated from Byrd High School with honors. Over the years, she earned extensive degrees in education, including a B. A in Secondary Education, English and French, an M.Ed., and an MA in Counseling.
As a young woman she married Larry Baker and they had a son, Andrew. Tragically, Larry passed away in his thirties, leaving Cathy to bring up their son on her own. When her son was a teenager, she married Charles “Hal” Wilbanks and remained his loving partner for the rest of her life.
Cathy had a distinguished career in education. Beginning as a teacher of English and French at Loyola College Prep in Shreveport, she went on to serve as Dean of Academics and as Principal of Loyola College Prep Middle School (9th grade), becoming the first female administrator in the history of the school. Later she served as Loyola’s Director of Guidance and College Placement and initiated the Loyola Latin Scholars Program. After moving to Tennessee with Hal, she taught English and French at Riverdale High School in Murfreesboro. When they returned to Shreveport she served as a Counselor at Northwood High School. During that time, she was named Caddo Parish High School Counselor of the Year.
Above all, Cathy cherished her family. She was always happy outdoors and usually had a dog at her heels, most recently her dachshund Molly. She enjoyed being with her many friends, caring for her home and garden, cooking delicious meals, and watching the birds in her backyard. From early childhood she was an avid reader, and she loved music of all kinds. She was a talented painter.
Cathy was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers Danny and Anthony Davis. She is survived by her husband Hal Wilbanks; her son Andrew Paul Baker of Houston, Texas; her sister Mary Elizabeth Davis; her brother David Davis of Metairie and his wife Marilyn; and several nieces and nephews. She was a loved and loving person and will be missed by all who knew her.
