Maude Cordelia "Cordy" Cates

MAUDE CORDELIA "CORDY" CATES,  age 84 of Athens, Tenn. passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Cordy was born in  Athens, Tenn.  to the late James and Virginia Lee Cates. She was valedictorian of her class at Cook High School and also a graduate of Knoxville College and served in the United States Air Force. She retired from Vanderbilt University in 2017 and returned home to Athens the same year. She is preceded in death by her Husband: Robert Brinkly, Parents: James and Lee Ferguson Cates, Brothers Frank (Skip): Howard( Curly), McArthur (Mac)  Cates, Nephews: Ivan and Frank Cates,
Survivors: Devoted Sisters: Cookie (Douglas) Carter ,  Judy Cates   Susan (David) Copeland, Devoted Brother: Hokey (Marilyn) Cates, Caring nieces and nephews. The family would like to express their appereciation for all of your expressions of sympathy and kindness including Hospice of Chattanooga and NHC of Athens. A special thanks to her care giver, Lisa Miller. 
A Celebration of Life service will be 1:00 P.M. Monday in the Chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with Vant Hardaway officiating. Interment will follow in Hammond Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be nephews. The family will recieve friends from 12:00 to 1:00 P.M. Monday in the funeral home. Condolences may be sent to www.laycock-hobbs.com/notices/Cordy-Cates. Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home, Athens, Tenn. in charge of arrangements