Catherine Fleming Gatlin

Catherine Fleming Gatlin passed away peacefully at her home in Houston, Texas on Friday, March 3, 2023. She was born on December 4, 1941 in Mobile, Alabama and later moved to Fort Walton Beach, Florida in the early 1970’s as a military spouse. She resided in Fort Walton Beach, FL for over 45 years.

Cathy retired from the Okaloosa County School District in Fort Walton Beach, FL after 30 years of service. She was very active and enjoyed league bowling at Lucky Strike Lanes, served as a Girl Scout Troop Leader and was inspired to live a healthier life through her Take Pounds Off Sensibly (TOPS) Club. She moved to Houston, TX in 2016 and immediately got busy volunteering in her local 3rd Ward community through the SHAPE Community Center.

Catherine was preceded in death by her mother, Clarine Dobson Fleming; father, Johnnie Fleming; sisters, Johnnie Mae McCants, Mary Frances "Sister" Edwards, Christine "Tina" White, Letha Washington and brothers, Johnnie Fleming, James "Bubba" Fleming and Michael Fleming; and husband Melvin Gatlin.

She is survived by her three loving daughters, Debbie White-Brown of Houston, TX, Andretta White-Jenkins of Tampa, FL (Choctaw C/O ’85) and LaTrecia White-Abero of Evans, Georgia (Choctaw C/O ’87); and one devoted son-in-law, Frank Brown (Debbie) of Houston, TX; four affectionate grandchildren: Tyrone Abero Jr, Tamaya Abero, Alicia Jenkins and Andrew Jenkins; one faithful sister, Betty Pritchett and two loyal brothers, Council Fleming and Keith Fleming, all of Atlanta, GA; and dear friend and former husband Andrew P. White Jr. of Fort Walton Beach, FL and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends.

Funeral Arrangements are as follows:

Gregg Chapel AME Church

34 Carson Dr., Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548

Visitation: Friday, March 17, 2023; 6pm - 8pm

Service: Saturday, March 18, 2023; 11am

Reception: Immediately following the service

Committal: Immediately following the reception -

Beal Memorial Cemetery, 316 Beal Parkway NW, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548

Rev. Cecil Williams officiating.

(All events will take place at Gregg Chapel AME Church, except for burial)

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to the SHAPE Community Center In Honor of Catherine Fleming Gatlin — SHAPE COMMUNITY CENTER http://www.shape.org/catherine

McKinnie Funeral Home has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.