Lola Catchings

Lola Mae Catchings was born on June 27, 1936 in Florence, Mississippi. She passed away on September 21, 2007 at Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Toledo. Her 71 years of life were filled with learning, living and loving. Lola graduated from McLaurin High School in Florence in 1955 and subsequently attended cosmetology, nursing and other educational programs. Lola’s greatest education occurred when she began “taking in knowledge of the only true God”. She was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in March 1985, and to the end, demonstrated her dedication to Jehovah and his Kingdom by instructing others concerning God’s promises – namely, everlasting life in a paradise restored on earth – and by her daily application of the Scriptures in her life. Lola worked various jobs in Mississippi, Chicago and Toledo and was involved in several entrepreneurial endeavors. However, her most meaningful job was taking care of family. She excelled at cooking, canning, gardening, sewing, hatmaking and upholstering. Her conversations to her children were filled with advice: “Be careful” and “Nothing beats a failure but a try”; instruction: “Call and let me know you made it”; and wisdom: “No matter what, always do what you know is right”. Her love and devotion to her family and all she encountered was constantly reflected in her words and actions. Lola leaves to cherish her memory husband Will Roy; daughters Valerie Ann King and Lolita Marie (James) Cooper; son Roy Fitzgerald; brothers James, Den Willie and Clarence Bridges; sister Kathy Bridges; grandchildren Charles Frederick, Camille Monique (Steve) Combs, Alexander Roy, Brett Fitzgerald, Chelsea Jone, and David James Spencer; great-grandsons Cameron Andrew and Jordan Reese; and a multitude of other loving relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by mother Mae Etta Enochs; stepfather Albert Enochs; father Den Willie Bridges; son David Christopher; sister Odessa Bridges Zone. Visitation will be Friday 4 – 6 p.m. followed by wake services 6 – 8 p.m. Dale-Riggs Funeral Home Chapel, funeral services Saturday 12:00 noon West Central Congregation of Jehovah’s Witness, 890 West Bancroft, Brother Connie Suttfield officiant, interment Historic Woodlawn Cemetery. www.dalefh.com

Lola Catchings

September 22, 2007