Catheryne Jeanne Santos

Catheryne Jeanne Santos, 36, of Maumelle, Arkansas, finished her earthly adventure on November 15, 2022. She was born on September 14, 1986 in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina to Richard & Donna Porter. Catheryne was educated in Charleston County Public Schools (South Carolina) and a 2004 graduate of West Ashley High School where she was a member of the volleyball and track teams. She was the 2004 South Carolina State Discus Champion. Cat decided to attend Clemson University where she became a 4-year member of the Division 1 track team specializing in hammer and discus. She cherished her time at Clemson University. She made many friends and her blood ran orange. After graduating from Clemson in 2008, she began her teaching and coaching careers in Charleston teaching both Title 1 and gifted and talented students. Through the gifted and talented program, she had the opportunity to travel to China and teach children thru an enrichment program, where she learned that children are universally the same. During this time, she was privileged to work with children ages 5 to 12 years of age. In 2017, she went on to complete her master’s degree in Physical Education at the Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina.

Cat’s love of God’s creation took her on many adventures in the U.S. and worldwide. She traveled to Germany, Scotland, Finland, England, China, Hong Kong, Japan to name a few. During one of Cat’s adventures, she would meet the love of her life, Gee, at Palmetto Bible Camp in South Carolina, where they both were serving as counselors. Gee first saw Cat wearing her heart-shaped sunglasses and it was there that she would meet her soulmate. Gee and Cat would date 3 years before exchanging vows near the camp where they very first met, on December 30, 2021.

Gee and Cat’s ministry in education led them to the state of Arkansas to teach at Central Arkansas Christian where Gee teaches Spanish and Bible and Cat taught 5^th grade at the PV Campus. The CAC community, especially her class, were a great support and encouragement during her time in Arkansas.

Left to cherish the memories are her husband of 320 wonderful days, Guilherme “Gee” Luz dos Santos, of Maumelle; parents Richard & Donna Porter of Orr’s Island, Maine; brother Rob Porter (Brandy) of Cookeville, Tennessee; nephews Colton and Bennett Porter of Cookeville, Tennessee; niece Evie Porter of Cookeville, Tennessee; father and mother in-law Dionisio & Vilma Santos of Belo Horizonte, Brazil; sister-in-law Priscilla Santos of Belo Horizonte, Brazil; and a host of family and friends who will miss her dearly.

 The family will host a memorial service at Levy Church of Christ in North Little Rock, AR on Sunday, November 27 at 2:30 PM with visitation to be held one hour prior to the service. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Catheryne’s name to JR Week c/o PBC Bookkeeper, 126 Chatham Cir., Madison, AL 35758 or Central Arkansas Christian Schools, 1 Windsong Dr., North Little Rock, AR 72113. Both of these organizations meant a lot to Cat’s spiritual walk with Christ.

Arrangements entrusted to Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main St., NLR, AR 72114. (501) 758-1170. www.smithfamilycares.com