Mrs. Catherine Gude Standifer

A celebration of life for Mrs. Catherine Gude Standifer, was held Saturday, Feb. 8, at St. James A.M.E. Church in Monticello. Rev. Annette Gude Howard was eulogist, Rev. Reginald E. Jacobs, pastor.

Mrs. Standifer was born May 29, 1939 to the late Samuel L. Gude Sr. and Hattie Kate Burney Gude of Monticello. She died in the early morning on February 4, 2020.

Mrs. Standifer joined St. James A.M.E. Church in Monticello, at the age of 12. While in Atlanta, her churches away from home were Eastlake United Church and Butler Street CME, Atlanta. Catherine attended Jasper County Training School. She later received her G.E.D. through Emory University where she also worked in food service for more than 19 years.

Catherine started out as a counter girl and through the years she was promoted to purchasing manager. She retired from Emory Food Service in June 1985. Catherine catered for three years and worked for Sheppard Decorating Service, Leechmere, and Dewars Fine Foods.

She was united in marriage to Richard L. Standifer on July 6, 1958, and to this union four children were born.

Mrs. Standifer was preceded in death by seven sisters, Mary Carter, Martha Pounds, Gartine Gude, Capus Gude, Virginia Gude, Eunice Gude and Dorthy Gude; five brothers, Charlie Gude, Eddie Gude, Marvin Gude, Walker Lee Gude, and Othis Gude; a son, Melvin Richard Standifer, a son-in-law, Marvin Brown, and two grandchildren, Timothy Lamar Hobbs and Meddrick Hester.

Survivors include her husband of 61 years, Richard Standifer; children, Kathy Standifer Brown, Derrick Standifer (Myra), and Keith A. Standifer (Linda). Special family recognition: Carrie Kellogg, Thelma Broadhurst, Twanica Wright and Darlena Snips; a special granddaughter, she cared for since the age of five, Christie Standifer Gordon, 22 grandchildren, 39+ great-grandchildren, 10 great-great-grandchildren; sister, Annette Gude Howard (Comer); brothers, Samuel Gude (Zenobia), Fred Gude (Lozie), and Nathaniel Gude (Tinia). A special sister, Essie Rushin, sisters-in-law, Dorothy Gude, Fannie Gude, Suzette Gude, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and a lifetime of friends.

Smith and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.