Caroline Cates

Caroline "Sue" Cates was born in Austin, Arkansas on February 18, 1942 to Luther Earl and Delpha May (Jones) David. She departed this world at the age of 75 years, to reside with our Heavenly Father on March 6, 2017. Oh what a joyous reunion that took place in Heaven, as she was welcomed home by the love of her life, Donald Ray Cates, who joined our Heavenly Father April 1, 2016.

In addition to her loving husband and best friend of 55 years, she was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, June David and brother, Bobby David.

To carry on her sweet memory, she leaves behind six children: three sons, Donnie (Karin) Cates, Michael (Tanya) Cates and Douglas Cates, all of Austin; three daughters, Tracy (Ronnie) Waymack of Cabot, Jackie (Charles) Weeks of Beebe, and Shannon (Bill) Beard of Vilonia.

Her memory will also be cherished by her seventeen grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren, with an additional great-granddaughter due to arrive in April.

In addition, she is survived by one brother, James Earl David of Austin and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other family members and friends that loved her dearly.

Sue loved the Lord and she attended the NLC of Cabot. She was an avid reader and was a whiz at working crossword puzzles. She practiced the lost art of handwritten letters to her loved ones and various pen pals that lived afar. She was a "southpaw" and she composed her handwritten greetings with the most elegant of penmanship. Sue was an amazing cook and loved Sunday dinners with her family. She had a passion for all types of flowers and plants and enjoyed watching the fluttering birds as they fed from the numerous birdfeeders outside her living room window. She was a lover of animals and a family-focused woman.

Sue will be forever remembered for her sweet and loving spirit. She always had a smile and kind word for everyone she met. She sought out the light and love in others, and never judged by their outward appearance.

Her death has left a void in the hearts of many, but we also rejoice in her reunion with her one and only love. "The time we had with you will never be enough, but it was enough to last us forever."

Memorials may be made to Arkansas Hospice, 14 Parkstone Circle, North Little Rock, AR 72116. www.arkansashospice.org

Family will receive friends from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Sunday at Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home, Beebe. Funeral will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, March 13, 2017 at Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home, with burial in Butlerville Cemetery. Arrangements by Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home.