Mary Catherine “Cathy” Hayden Bruce Batton of Rockingham, passed away on Jan. 1, 2024, at Hospice Haven after a courageous health battle.
She was born, raised and died in Rockingham, and lived her entire life here. Born on Aug. 23, 1956 to parents Chester and Mary Sue Hayden, she was their first born of four girls.
Cathy graduated from Richmond Sr. High School class of 1974 and after her children became school age, she went on to further her education at Anson Community College and obtained her nursing degree.
She fell in love with being a nurse and this profession easily defined who she was as a person. Cathy was caring and empathetic. She spent most of her nursing career working as an occupational nurse at Perdue Farms in Rockingham. She was grateful to be able to take care of the workers at the Wellness Clinic she ran for the third-shift employees. Her compassion was well noticed by all that were under her care. And she made many lifelong friends there.
Cathy’s children were her pride and joy. If you knew Cathy, you knew about her son and daughter, they were very much a huge part of her. And when her granddaughters came along, the pride and joy grew even bigger for her. She made sure to instill her compassion for others in her children and grandchildren. The love she shared will be missed beyond what words can explain.
Cathy was predeceased by her father, Chester Hayden and her husband, Dewey Lee “Lebo” Batton.
Surviving are her mother, Mary Sue Hayden; her daughter, Amy Bruce Locklear (Matthew), her son, Jason Bruce (Melody); her three sisters that were also her very best friends, Jenny Lynn Cowick (Lewis) (despite her own health concerns, her sister Jenny Lynn made sure to let Cathy know how much she cared for her during her last days), Debbie Ann Chavis (Ervin) (Debbie Ann was instrumental in helping care and support Cathy during her recent illness, she was often right by her side), and Sally Hayden; her precious granddaughters, Marissa Grace, Noleigh Catherine and Evelyn Ruby Locklear, and River, Suleigh Bruce. She also has two step-grandsons that she helped to raise, Nick and Zack Batton of Daytona Beach, Florida.
She also leaves behind nieces and a nephew, April Cowick Cline (Brian James) (whom she often said April should have been her own because she was so much like her), Donna Jacobs (Allen), Lisa Gil (Aramiz), and her only nephew, Phillip Kinsey. She also had several great-nieces and -nephews that she enjoyed watching grow. And a list of great friends and neighbors.
The hole left by Cathy’s absence will be impossible to fill for all her loved ones, she will be greatly missed.
The family will receive friends for visitation Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, from 5 to 6 p.m. at Watson-King Funeral Home in Rockingham. A celebration of Cathy’s life will follow immediately after at 6 p.m., with James Mims officiating.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her honor to Hospice of Richmond County. Her suffering ended as soon as she entered the care of this amazingly compassionate organization. The staff took such great care of our mother, grandmother, sister and friend, we couldn’t have asked for any better.
Online condolences can be made at watson-kingfuneralhome.com. Watson-King Funeral Home in Rockingham is assisting the Batton family.
