Carol Joan Cathey, 91, of McAlester, passed away Sunday, January 14, 2024 at McAlester Regional Health Center.  A Celebration of Life for Joan will be held on Saturday, January 20, at 11:00 a.m. at the Main and Oklahoma Church of Christ.

Carol Joan (Rogers) Cathey was born on February 1, 1932 in Ardmore, Oklahoma to Joe and Mae Rogers.  She attended school in McAlester, graduating in 1950.  After graduation she attended the University of Arkansas, where she was a member of the University Marching Band.  After college, she married Paul Cathey, and they had two children, Debbie Ann Cathey and Ken Roger Cathey.

Joan was a charter member of the McAlester Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, and also a member of the Fortnightly Club and the Ladies Optimist Club.  She often volunteered at McAlester General Hospital.  She worked at the Oklahoma Department of Human Services as a social worker for several years.

Joan was an active mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great great grandmother.  She was affectionately known as "Ma".  She loved her family immensely and loved hanging out with them and having a cup of coffee with her friends. She always had a good story to tell and a bright smile, and was a firecracker to all who knew her.  She also loved to travel, meet new people, and could shop til she dropped.

Joan is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Debbie and Mike Dusenberry; a granddaughter, Brooke Capers; a grandson, Kyle Dusenberry and his wife Brenna; 5 great grandchildren, Coltyn Price and his wife Chloe, Alyson Dusenberry, Parker Dusenberry, Eli Capers, and Hudson Capers; and 2 great great grandchildren, Brantley Godwin and Lovelynn Price.  Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Paul, and her son, Ken.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Main and Oklahoma Church of Christ.