Priscilla Stone Catoe

Priscilla Stone Catoe, age 89, of Athens, died Saturday August 15, 2020.

Born January 18, 1931 in Athens, Georgia, Mrs. Catoe was the daughter of the late Robbie Lee Stone and Emma Eberhart Stone. An honor graduate of Athens High School, she planned on becoming a librarian when she enrolled at the University of Georgia. Instead God led her to the registration line for music and “He hasn’t left me since.” After graduating UGA with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, she attended Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky where she earned her Masters of Sacred Music in 1957

After finishing seminary, Mrs. Catoe served as Minister of Music at First Baptist Church in Kershaw, SC where she met her husband of 52 years, Roy “Sonny” Catoe. They were married on November 19, 1960.

While working as the bookkeeper and future owner of A&A Bakery, Mrs. Catoe continued to pursue her true passion for music in her spare time, teaching piano and playing for local churches including Prince Avenue Baptist Church and Beech Haven Baptist Church.

In the mid-1970s, Mrs. Catoe became the Minister of Music at Oconee Heights Baptist Church where she spent nine years leading worship in music. She later became the Minister of Music at East Athens Baptist Church where she spent another nine years leading worship. For a short period, she served as the Minister of Music at Cleveland Road Baptist Church.

After closing A&A Bakery in 1990, Mrs. Catoe worked as a church secretary at Central Baptist Church and later as a clerical worker in the accounting department at the University of Georgia’s Parking Services.

Mrs. Catoe took care of her husband until he passed in 2013. She then moved to Iris Place where she continued her passion for music playing the piano and organ and starting a chorus. She spent the past several years at Whispering Pines Personal Care Home, and while she could no longer play the piano, she still served God by starting a daily bible study for the ladies

Mrs. Catoe was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her sister Juanita Stone Clark and brother Robbie Lee Stone Jr.

Survivors include her son, Lee Catoe, and his wife, Carol Chambers Catoe, of Athens; grandchildren, Megan Catoe and Michael Catoe both of Athens; sister-in law, Dolores Walker Stone, of Sewanee, GA; sister-in-law Phyllis Neal and her husband Bruce, of Kershaw, SC; and a number of nieces and nephews. She is also survived by a close friend, Betty Jones, whose kindness and generosity brightened her days.

Funeral services will be held at 1 pm on Saturday, August 22, 2020 at the Lord and Stephens West Chapel with visitation at 11 am. Interment will follow at Evergreen Memorial Park.

Lord & Stephens Funeral Home West, Watkinsville, is in charge of the arrangements.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Whispering Pines Personal Care Home and Inspiring Hospice for the loving and respectful care and true friendship they shared with Mrs. Catoe.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, it is requested that attendees wear face coverings.