Cathy Buchanan Burnett

Born, February 21, 1959 in McDowell County, NC, she was the daughter of the late William “Bill” Buchanan and Essie Buchanan Burleson. She was a 1977 graduate of McDowell High School and worked professionally in the insurance industry and later as an esthetician. She spent most of her adult life as a homemaker, raising and mentoring her family.

Cathy influenced adults and children alike with a listening ear, a gentle hug, or a dry shoulder. Total strangers would just open up to her and share their problems or life stories.

She was “Cat Bird” to all her children’s friends. Her wit, sarcasm, and playful character were a match for anyone.

Left to cherish her memory are her loving husband of nearly 36 years, Sam Burnett; children, Samantha Cranford of Newton, NC, Jesse Burnett and wife, Tiffany of Bluffton, SC; grandchildren, McKenna Cranford, Chandler Cranford, Buchanan “Chanan” Burnett; three sisters, Mary Stafford, and husband, Don of Bakersville, NC, Kay Hay of Spruce Pine, NC, Debi Mitchell, of Marion, NC; two brothers, John Buchanan of Spruce Pine, NC, and Tony Buchanan of Marion, NC.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2013 at 3:45 p.m. in the chapel of Willis-Reynolds Funeral Home & Crematory in Newton, NC.

The family will receive friends prior to the service from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. at Willis-Reynolds Funeral Home & Crematory at 56 Northwest Blvd., Newton, NC 28658.

Memorials may be made to Catawba Regional Hospice, 3975 Robinson Rd., Newton, NC 28658.