Lila Mae Cato

Lila Mae Atkinson Cato, age 95, passed away at her home in Leona, TX, on November 29, 2017. Lila was born on October 16, 1922, in Porter Springs, TX, to Ernest Lamar and Pauline Lambert Atkinson. Lila married Houston H. Cato on March 29, 1941, and the two were married for 52 years.

Lila was the school cafeteria manager at Galena Park ISD and worked in retail sales at K-Mart and Wal-Mart. Lila was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was an excellent cook known for her yeast rolls, banana pudding and chocolate and coconut pies. She loved to sew, quilt and embroider and made beautiful baby blankets for her family. Lila cared for her disabled daughter, Roseland, for 65 years. She was a member of the LCRTA, TRTA and Woodmen of the World.

Lila was a devout Christian woman who could quote the Bible, sing any hymn from memory and could be found reading her Bible daily. She was a member of the Elwood Baptist Church, but attended First United Methodist Church, Madisonville, with her family. Lila was the true example of sacrificial love. Her love of God and her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, allowed her to truly make her family a priority. She loved everyone – her church family, Upper Room Sunday School class, friends, neighbors, doctors, nurses, therapists, and she never met a stranger. Her beautiful smile will be a cherished memory.

Lila was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Houston; her beloved daughter Roseland; brothers, Raymond Atkinson, Woodrow Atkinson, George Atkinson, Sanford “Don” Atkinson, William Atkinson and Floyd Atkinson and sisters, Lorene Wells, Alpha Dee Hoach, Lucille Garlington and Ruby Smith.

She is survived by daughter: Maisie Temme (Charles); granddaughters, Kristen Temme, Keri Barrett (Kenny); great grandchildren, Kassi Flores, Taylor Barrett, Ethan Barrett and Caleb Wofford; sisters, Ernestine Stoddard, Lillian Lowery, Florence Sanders, and Doris Willis; brother, Howard Atkinson and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to offer a special heartfelt thanks to: Madison St. Joseph Staff and Mary Beth Murphy, Dr. Villanueva, and Traditions Hospice Care – Sharon Pruett, Carolyn Holliday, and Marty Ballesteros.

Funeral services for Lila have been scheduled for 3 P.M., Saturday, December 2, 2017 at the First United Methodist Church in Madisonville, Texas. Rev. Patricia Wehn-Glowski, pastor of the church, will officiate assisted by Rev. Glenn Connor, pastor of Elwood Baptist Church in the Elwood Community. Interment will follow in the Allphin Cemetery. Visitation will take place from 5 P.M. to 8 P.M., Friday, December 1st at Madisonville Funeral Home.

Pallbearers: J.D. Dickenson, Jim Caldwell, Jim Robinson, Kenneth Knight, Kenneth Bounds, Richey Goodridge, Joe Wayne Sowell & G.G. Reynolds.

Madisonville Funeral Home in Madisonville, Texas is in charge of arrangements.