Catherine Siegner Thomas, loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend died on February 16, 2019. Catherine was 97 and enjoyed her long life to the fullest. Catherine was a devoted member of First Baptist Church in Sanford.
She served as a Sunday School teacher, past president of her class and was current vice president. She was proud of the fact that her great grandmother and namesake, Anna Catherine Rogers, was a charter member of First Baptist and that her family-maintained membership for 125 years. Family will greet friends from 1 till 2 pm, in the First Baptist Church Parlor.
Catherine’s life will be celebrated at First Baptist Church at 2 pm Friday, February 22. Catherine was born in Sanford on September 8, 1921, to the late Leila Bobbitt and Andrew George Siegner. During her studies at Sanford Business College, she met and married the love of her life, the late Larry Phillip Thomas and they had many adventures during their 48 years of marriage.
For many years, Larry and Catherine owned and operated a restaurant. Later, Catherine joined Sears as a sales associate where she and her co-workers became lifelong friends. After their retirement, Catherine and her Sears friends continued to meet for lunch and celebrate birthdays, sometimes bringing children and grandchildren.
Catherine was a rock for everyone close to her, always there when anyone needed her. The happiest moments in her life were when she was surrounded by family and friends. She loved spending time at the beach, holiday gatherings, and the large extended family parties at “the farm,” the old family home place.
She took great pleasure in everyone’s accomplishments and joys. Catherine was an excellent bridge player who belonged to two clubs that spanned many decades. Her passion was reading, 3 or 4 books a week, and it was not unusual for her to read through the night.
Catherine enjoyed making dolls and doll clothes for her granddaughters. She loved to knit, crochet, and made beautiful needlework pieces and all kinds of crafts. Catherine was fortunate and grateful to have had Sarah McLean for a loving caretaker, for many years, and in recent months, Barbara Miller and Siggie Colvin.
Survivors include daughter, Gail Barger of Greensboro, former son-in-law, Gary Barger, of Beaufort, NC, grandson Ken Barger and wife, Tammy, of Sanford, granddaughter, Rachel Barger of Greensboro, Brad Thomas and wife, Lacey of Montgomery, Alabama, Granddaughter Julie Numnum and husband, Mark, of Birmingham, Alabama and Susan Wintermantel and husband, Nick, of Birmingham, Alabama. Catherine was proud of her 15 great grandchildren, Savannah and Sebastian Warren of Greensboro, Ava Grace, Harper, Garland, Phillip and Mitchell Thomas of Montgomery, Blake, Reid, William and Anna Kate Numnum of Birmingham and Kaitlyn, Davis, Vivian and Sarah Wintermantel of Birmingham. She is also survived by her brother, Andrew George Siegner and her sister-in-law and dear friend, Audrey Siegner, and many wonderful nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, husband and sister, Leila Mann, Catherine was predeceased by her son, Phillip Thomas of Alexander City, Alabama.
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