~Catherine (nee: Ford) Earl was born on February 2, 1926 to the union of John A. and Maggie E. (nee: Edmonson) Ford in Enterprise, Mississippi.  Catherine was the 5th born out of 11 children. Catherine received her formal education in the Enterprise, MS School System. She accepted Christ as her Savior at an early age and was united with East Jerusalem Baptist Church in Enterprise, Mississippi.  She later united with St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Racine, Wisconsin.  She was a faithful member who served on the Ruth Circle and in the Adult Choir until her health began to fail. Catherine Ford was united in holy matrimony with Willie Earl in Enterprise, Mississippi in 1941 and was married for 62 years until his passing.  Their union was blessed with two daughters, Reather Mae and Nina Lee. In 1950, Catherine moved to Racine, Wisconsin with her family.  She was employed by St. Luke's Hospital as a cook for over 30 years and later worked for 8 years at Lincoln Lutheran as a cook and pastry supervisor.  She also owned a gift and antique shop. In her leisure, she enjoyed cooking, gardening, collecting antiques, helping her neighbors, and spending time with her family.  Catherine was also a member of the Linden Neighborhood Club. Catherine Earl departed this life on Sunday, December 28, 2014 at the age of 88.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Willie, and daughter, Nina Lee; her parents; Sisters, Mattie Jean Ford, Mattie Joyce Ford, Mary Evelyn Bender, and Dena Mae Price; and brothers, John Ford, Jr., Jessie Ford, Eddie Ford, Willie Ford, and Ray Ford. She leaves to cherish her memory her brother, Samuel H. Ford of Enterprise, MS; Daughter, Reather Mae Williams of Racine, WI; Special granddaughter, Kim Williams of Hannibal, MO and special grandson, Kenny Lee (Michelle) Day of Racine, WI; grandchildren, Irish (Shonna) Day of Kokomo, IN, Lydell Williams, Jr. of Hannibal, MO, and Billy Dee Williams of Houston, TX; great and great-great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.  She is also survived by first cousins, Mattie Elizabeth Harper of Laurel, MS, Rose (Roscoe) Smiley of Milan, IL and Leonard (Rhoda) Thigpen of Glencoe, IL; and special friends and neighbors.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate her homegoing on Friday, January 2, 2015 at 11:00am in St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, 1123 Center St, Bishop Lawrence L. Kirby, Pastor and Eulogist. Visitation will be in the Church on Friday from 10am until the time of service.  Interment will take place at West Lawn Memorial Park.  Full obituary will be posted at a later date.