The service for Mrs. Graham will be live stramed on the Facebook Page of Fisher Memorial Funeral Parlor.
Catherine Estelle (Yancey) Graham was born September 1, 1939 in Durham NC. Her soul took flight to clasp the Master’s hand on Saturday, June 5, 2021 after a short stay at Duke Hospital. She was affectionately known as “Cat”.
She attended Little River Elementary School, Merrick-Moore Elementary School and graduated from Hillside High School in 1957. She went on to complete the African-American Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) program at Duke University Hospital.
For 13 years, Catherine was employed as a psychiatric nurse at the University of North Carolina Hospital. There she used her gift of conversation to connect with her patients. For 36 years, this gift served her well as a claims analyst at Blue Cross and Blue Shield Health Insurance Company before retiring in 2005.
At an early age, she professed her faith in Jesus Christ and joined Tally Ho Baptist Church, Stem, NC. She transferred membership to Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Durham, NC, were she served on the nursing ministry and was a member of the senior choir.
Catherine was a member of Fleur de Lis Club, a woman’s social club dedicated to uplifting and empowering women. She served as the club president and spent many years traveling and hosting social events.
She is survived by her husband Raymond C Graham whom she married on December 26, 1964 and remained married for the next 56 ½ years. From their union, they were blessed with one daughter, the late Deidra Michelle (Dee-Dee) Graham. As a family, they spent many years traveling, finding new restaurants, shopping and laughing. Words are not enough to express the unconditional love that existed between Catherine and Deidra. To have known Catherine, you knew Deidra. She shared her love for fashion and the “finer” things in life with Deidra and it was very apparent when you saw them both.
She is preceded in death by her father Vurnice Yancey, mother, Lessie Hart and step-father Jo Hart all of Durham, NC. She is survived by step-son, Max Booth and a host of loving relatives and dear friends.
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