Evelyn Elder Cato, 78, died on Monday, Nov. 20, 2006, at her home.
She attended the public schools of Chattanooga and was a 1945 graduate of Howard High School. She attempted to further her education at the former Zion College, which merged with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
At an early age she united with Rock Island Baptist Church. She later joined Tucker Baptist Church and served as a dedicated pianist, organist and choir director for 27 years. Evelyn is said to have been the first African-American female radio announcer in the South. She entered a contest at the former WMFS Radio Station, won the contest and went on to become a radio personality for many years. After leaving the radio station she sought employment with the city of Chattanooga Public School System as a secretary and served in that capacity for 32 years before her retirement.
Evelyn was a caring, compassionate person who would always speak her mind. She loved her family and her church.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her loving husband of 50 years, Dorsey Cato; mother, Mattie Sue Elder; father, Junior Elder; and sister, Ruby Lowe.
She is survived by her two daughters, Doris Junell Parham, of Chattanooga, and Connie Denell Dickerson, of Nashville; two devoted grandchildren, Courtney Nicole Parham, of Chattanooga, and Stephen Keith Dickerson, of Nashville; one devoted son-in-law, W. James Parham, of Chattanooga; one stepson, Charles F. (Barbara) Moon, of Louisville, Ky.; devoted nephews, Arthur Lebron Nash, of Phoenix, Az., and Dennis A. Lowe; niece, Wanda Sue (Robert) Black, of Atlanta; devoted cousins, Marion (William) Overall and Mary Smelley, Hilda (Ernie) Norwood, of Upper Marlboro, Md.; and dear friends, Evelyn P. Lovelady and Ruth Thomas.
Funeral services will be at noon on Saturday, at Tucker Baptist Church with the Rev. M.T. Billingsley, officiating. Interment will be in Highland Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends from 6-7 p.m. Friday at the Avondale Chapel of Franklin-Strickland Funeral Directors.