atherine Amos was born February 28, 1953 in West Memphis, Arkansas, to the union of Lennie and Georgia Smith.  She was the ninth of fourteen children, six boys and eight girls.  Her father, three sisters, two brothers and a son, Anthony Powell preceded her in death.  She departed this life on October 16, 2010.

Catherine grew up in Arkansas and in Chicago.  She was educated in the Chicago Public School system, where she attended Crane Technical High School.  She went on to have three sons: Tyrone Smith, Anthony Powell (deceased), and Corey Powell. 

She later married Jerome Amos, to whom she was married for ten wonderful years and in the process, gained two step-children, Africa Amos and Nepa Jubashen.


She leaves to cherish her memories: loving husband, Jerome Amos; two sons, Tyrone Smith and Corey Powell; step-children, Africa Amos and Nepa Jubashen; her loving mother, Georgia Smith; four brothers, R. L. Smith, James Smith, Eddie Earl Smith and Earnest Smith; four sisters, Margaret Skinner, Diane Moore, Frankie McShan and Mary-Ann Thomas; granddaughter, Tiasha Smith, and a host cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

 

 

“My Husband”

 

“My Husband” is what she called me, Yeah, I been loved before, But never quite like this!

She never told me “No”

She might give me a whining “Alright Now!”

But, she never told me “No”

 

When people had no faith in me,She stood up for me. When I was broke and poor She said “He’s with me, And he ain’t broke no more!” When I had an idea And people said it wouldn’t work, She said, “Alright–try it, Baby.”  She loved to call me Baby

All through her sickness,

She constantly called my name “Jerome.  JEROME!”
The nurses knew my name.


She said “Don’t leave me here.” I said I wouldn’t and I was there … Day and night

 

I would always tell her I loved herAnd she would say, “I love you, too.” Yes, I’ve been loved before,But never like that!

 

She was the woman they loved and hated.

But you couldn’t tell that when she had a party. She won far more than she lost
And wouldn’t let me lose.

 

Yes, I’ve been loved before,But never like that!

 

I Love You, My Sweet

Even though you’ve passed on,I’ll see you on the other side,

And we will come together and go on.

 

Did she love me?  Yes, she loved me!  And I Love Her!
From Her Husband




 

HONORING CATHERINE “CATHY” AMOS

By Brown Sugar w/cream

We move in life's flow and ebb consciously or unconsciously.  We take for granted life's infinite blessings large and small.  In the robotic energy of life's journey, we brush our teeth, turn the key to start our car and we work 9 to 5 as our confirmation we are alive.  We live our lives like the “pink energizing bunny” constantly moving on.  Not until we are required to live through the experience of a loved one exiting their life's journey, do we begin to reflectively appreciate the infinite gift of life.

Family and friends overflowed the pews of the church, embracing in mind and heart reflective memories of Catherine “Cathy” Amos.  People stood up, walked up to the microphone to speak thoughtful and with humor their memories.  Perhaps many wanted to speak meaningful words to say thank you to Cathy for forty years of fun loving laughter, tall whiskey drinking and soulfully delicious “I wanna slap you” food, but didn't, but wish they had now.

In the lives of Cadillac driving, diamond ring wearing, black mink dragging, champagne sipping, whiskey drinking patrons, Cathy was a cherished and beloved individual.  Ladies came early to get a seat and men eagerly strolled in later to voice their choice, because on Cathy's bar liquor flowed wet and wild. Cathy's “pour the whiskey please” skills encouraged patrons to drink until they got enough and the cleverness of her smile made “old men wish for younger days.  Forty years of professional service in Southside drinking establishment Cathy became legendary for cooking foods with soulful comfort, giving “got to be there” parties and her let's not get it twisted “frankness”.

Cathy leaves a legacy of giving, giving professional poised service to the public.  but greater than the many gifts of public service that she gave over the years, her greatest gift of givingness was the gift of love, caring and compassion served by her to the public.

Memories will come and go, tears will continue to flow and the thought provoking questions of why and how will reveal their presence here and there.  But the memories of love given and received over the years from Cathy to those who were her loyal elbow-benders of liquid spirits, we say thank you Cathy.  We applaud and adore you.

In honor of Cathy's life, we can honor her memory each day when we give the gift of love, caring and compassion to someone.  Every day speak the words to someone, I love, appreciate and value you.  Say to someone I thought about you, I am sending you hugs and kisses.  Smile, wink or flirt with someone.  Send a greeting card and enclose a monetary gift.  Leave a voice mail saying I am praying with you.  Bring or send the fragrance of flowers bloomed or simply sit quietly in the presence of someone, hold their hand and embrace together the flow of the infinite gifts of love.  Begin now, this moment to give the legacy of love, caring and compassion to honor Catherine “Cathy” Amos.

 
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