Born: September 26, 1928 Hillsboro, Hill County, Texas

Died: February 25, 2016 Waco, McLennan County, Texas

Daughter of Oscar Russell Nowlin and Iola Lolette Allen Nowlin

Parents:
Oscar Russell Nowlin (1907 – 1969)

Spouse:
Harold Wesley Cathey (1943 – ____)

Cleo Beth Keahey-Cathey, 87, of Waco, passed away on Thursday, February 25, 2016.

Funeral Service: 11AM Sunday, February 28th at Lake Shore Funeral Home Chapel.

Burial: China Spring Cemetery.

Beth was born on September 26, 1928 in Hillsboro to Oscar Russell Nowlin and Iola Lolette (Allen) Nowlin. She began her education at the age of 5 in Birome in a 2 room school house. At the age of 16, she graduated from Van High School. She attended Dallas Methodist Nursing School and voluntarily served as a member of Nurse Cadet Corp for World War II and then received her Bachelor’s Degree from Texas Women’s University. She achieved her Master’s Degree from Tulane Medical School. She served as a Registered Nurse and as a Licensed Professional Counselor. Beth dedicated over 50 years to the nursing and mental health profession. Her impressive career included elementary education, industrial, surgical, and obstetrics nursing. She served as Director at both Mother Frances School of Nursing in Tyler, and Hillcrest School of Nursing in Waco. She ended her career from the Waco V.A. Hospital as a Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialist .Beth was a positive person and had an adventurous spirit, from parachuting from USAF bombers to Climbing Mt. Fuji. She loved to travel and she had also lived in two foreign countries. She was witty and humorous, but was also graceful and wise. She was an excellent orator and had a passion and appreciation for art. Beth was well-liked and loved by so many. All will miss her dearly as well as her “quote of the day.”

Beth was preceded in death by her parents; and her brother, Russell Gwinn Nowlin.

Survivors include her husband, Harold W. Cathey of China Spring; daughters, Laura Keahey Ross of San Antonio, Kimberly Keahey Barron and husband Paul of China Spring, Karen Keahey Ellis of Belton, and Heather Keahey Bledsoe and husband Robert of Telluride, CO; eight grandchildren, Scott Leune and wife Cassandra, Heather Clinton and husband Sean, Amanda Windle and husband Jonathan, Aarron Jones and wife Stormie, David Bledsoe, Marcella Bledsoe, Nic Ellis and Steve Ellis; nine great grandchildren, Abby Clinton, Paul Clinton, Sophia Leune, Ethan Leune, Collin Leune, Aries Windle, Ayla Windle, Alexander Windle and Caleb Jones, along with nieces, nephews, and loving friends.