Catherine Barnes

It was Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 1949, that a beautiful baby girl was born to the union of George Elmer Reed and Lille (Hearse) Reed in Omaha, Nebraska. Catherine Reed was a Thanksgiving blessing to the family. Catherine was the third girl and the middle child. Her brothers, Melvin Reed and Joseph Tidwell Jr., along with her parents, preceded her in death. As a child, while attending Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church, Cat attended Sunday School faithfully and served in the Red Circle, B.T.U., Usher Board, and assisted with several evening programs. Raised in the church by her mother, Lillie Marie Tidwell, who served on the Mother’s Board, and her father, Deacon Joseph Tidwell Sr., Cat later joined the Usher Board Ministry, where she faithfully served. Catherine attended Garrison School in Fireworks Station, and after graduating, “Cat,” as she became so fondly called by her classmates and family, entered Hughes Quinn Junior High School. Afterwards, Cat attended Eastside High School and graduated in 1968. While attending East Side High School, Cat met and married Earnest E. Andrews, and to this union, a daughter named Catrina Renee Andrews was born. Catherine had a great work ethic and started her career by working at the “Sykes” drug store located in Fireworks Station, which was owned by her cousin. Because she enjoyed learning so much about the pharmacy industry, she later enrolled in Belleville Area College with the hopes of becoming a pharmacist. Later, Cat began working at Kroger Grocery Store and at Uptown Drug Store, where she worked as an Assistant Pharmacist under James Townsend. This further inspired Cat to continue taking classes at BAC. Many of the neighborhood drug stores were closing, so Catherine joined her sister at Southwestern Bell Telephone Company as an Operator in East Saint Louis, IL. While at Bell, Catherine met and married a great businessman, Charles O. Holmes, and to this union, a second daughter named Crystal Renee Holmes was born. Catherine spent many years traveling to and from Chicago and decided to relocate there in 1988. While in Chicago, Catherine continued her career with Illinois Bell Telephone Company, where she worked until she retired as an Operator. Cat enjoyed serving and attending church and joined New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Stephen J. Thurston until her passing. While residing in Chicago, Catherine met and married Darnell Fletcher. Darnell and Cat were both die-hard sports fans and enjoyed watching their favorite teams, the Chicago Bulls and Chicago Bears play. If you had a chance to stop by her home, you would have found her dressed in her favorite sports attire from head to toe, be it red and black or orange and blue; she always represented. Cat was very outgoing and enjoyed life by playing some of her favorite card games, such as Spades and Skip Bo, with family and friends. Catherine shared a close bond with all of her siblings, Earline, Georgia, Joseph, Melvin, and her cousin Evelyn, and would often be seen dressed to kill and enjoying some smooth grooves. Catherine also liked to bake and made the best sweet potato pies from scratch. Her daughter, Catrina, has continued this tradition and has become the baker in the family. Both Crystal and Catrina have Cat’s passion for life. Catherine had an outgoing personality, and last year the family came together to celebrate her 76th birthday. Despite Cat not feeling the best, she hung right in there with us and enjoyed a glorious feast. Catherine “Cat” leaves to cherish her memory a Loving Husband, Darnell Fletcher, 2 daughters, Catrina (David) Harvey and Crystal (Wilon) Ross. Her loving grandchildren, Elijah (Lauren) Whitaker, Malik Whitaker, Keyon Ross, and Caytlyn Ross; two sisters, Earline Malone and Georgia Reed; sister-in-law, Debra Tidwell, and a special cousin, Evelyn BerryWest; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, the Hawthorne family, and friends. The family would like to express special thanks to her caregiver, Tauja Jones from the Divine Home Health Agency and her entire healthcare team at Franciscan Hospital.

Catherine Barnes

November 26, 1949 - June 22, 2026