Catherine Birch

Catherine Birch, 92, of McGehee passed away July 28, 2018 in Rison, Ark. She was born October 30, 1925 in Griffithville, Ark. to the late William Kelley and Jessie Ann McAllister Turnage. Mrs. Catherine was a member of Tillar Baptist Church and graduated from Tillar High School in 1944 and later became a business owner of Catherine's Ceramics later Catherine's Grocery for eight years. She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers, Norbert, J.W., Esten and Les Turnage and three sisters, Lodean, Alvera and Emogene. Survivors are two sons, Don Ray (L'Orchid) Birch of McGehee, Ark. and Victor Allen (Juanita) Birch of Mabelvale, Ark, two grandchildren, Jonie (Malcolm) Massey of McGehee and Gena Birch of Texarkana and five great grandchildren: Colmon Massey of Little Rock, Anna Cathryn (Hunter) Wargo of McGehee, Caroline Massey of McGehee, Trevor and Miranda Reed of Texarkana. She is also survived by her step-grandchildren, Greg (Amy) Grady and children, Avery and Saylor of Apollo Beach, Fla., Steve (Alysia) Grady and children, Shonni and Kaitlyn of Brighton, Colo., Jennifer Bonds and Ray Shepherd of Dumas and children, Jordan Jones and Madison Bonds of Dumas and 15 nieces and nephews across four states. She is also survived by her Tillar Baptist Church family that meant a lot to her where she spent over 60 years serving in many areas. Visitation will be Tuesday, July 31, 2018 at First Baptist Church in McGehee from 6 to 8 p.m. and service, Wednesday, August 1, 2018, Tillar Baptist Church, Tillar, Ark. at 2 p.m. with Rev. Jerry Starnes and Rev. Kenny Hogue officiating with burial in Tillar Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Tillar Baptist Church, 201 No. 2nd, Tillar, Ark. 71670 or First Baptist Church-McGehee Daycare Ministry, P.O. Box 133, McGehee, Ark. 71654 Arrangements by Griffin Funeral Home, Dumas, Ark. Online guestbook: www.griffinfh.com.