Catherine ”Cat” Gilstrap, retired schoolteacher and lifelong resident of Greenville, SC, passed away peacefully on May 19, 2026 at the age of 86 at St. Francis hospital downtown.

Catherine is survived by three siblings; Alan Gilstrap, Tommy Gilstrap (Delores), and Glenda Anthony. Four nieces; Holly Evert (Barry), Gretchen Edwards, Tenley Strickland (Matt), Alice Anthony (Ron) and one nephew Abram Anthony. Three great-nieces; Hadley Edwards, Willa Bell, and Bryce Strickland.

Catherine was born in Greenville, South Carolina on January 25, 1940 to Emma Alice Gilstrap and Claude Eugene Gilstrap. She graduated from Appalachian State University (BA) and Furman University (MA) and began working for Greenville County Schools until she retired in 1993.

Catherine loved flowers, plants and anything to do with gardening and was an enthusiastic member, and president for many years, of the Westcliffe Garden Club as well as a member, and commended for outstanding service to the council As Floral & Educational Displays and Holiday House Chairperson for several years, at the Greenville Council of Garden Clubs downtown (Kilgore-Lewis). She also loved her church and sang as a soprano in the choir for several decades at the Historic Saint Paul United Methodist Church.

She will be deeply missed by friends, family and all who knew her.

A funeral service is scheduled for May 27, 2026 at 3:00pm at Graceland West Cemetery. Reverend Murray Snow will officiate. In lieu of flowers please donate to your favorite local animal rescue in her animal loving memory.