Mrs. Catherine Whitehead Underwood, age 90, beloved wife of the late Horace Grady Underwood of Atlanta, passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, August 6, 2023 at their home.

Born in Rockledge, GA, she was the eldest of three daughters born to the late Grady Lee Whitehead and Ruby B. Miller Whitehead.  She grew up in Rockledge and Soperton and was a graduate of the Wilkes High School.  She later attended Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville.  In November of 1958 she married Wrightsville native, Horace Grady Underwood.  In 1961 the Underwoods moved to Atlanta where they have since resided.  While her husband worked for the VA in Atlanta, Mrs. Underwood owned and operated a well known, respected and sought after Catering and Bakery Business.  She ran her business for over forty years, attending to countless specialty events and weddings, including for the President of Emory University.  Mrs. Underwood served as the church hostess at Grace United Methodist Church for twenty years and as the Head Chef for Shingleroof United Methodist Campground for seventeen years.

She was passionate about her family and friendships and was most fulfilled being a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, daughter and friend.  She enjoyed painting china, playing the piano and spending time with her grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Horace Grady Underwood, who passed away in 2014 and her two sisters, Carolyn Whitehead Barrs and Cecile Whitehead.

Mrs. Underwood leaves behind, her three daughters, Mary Catherine (Cathy) Simmons and her husband, Mick of Snellville, GA, Carla Elizabeth Spence and her husband, Mark of Irwinville, GA and Cecilia Underwood of Lilburn, GA; her grandchildren, Christi Spence Lockhart (Jacob), Fletcher, OK, Corinne Kovacs Freel (Andrew), Monroe, GA, Russell Spence, Irwinville, GA, Caitlin Jane Kovacs, Lilburn, GA and a great granddaughter, Carolina Rei Lockhart, Fletcher, OK.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 12, 2023 at the Rockledge United Methodist Church with Reverend Barbara Nelson, Dr. Mark Spence and Reverend Bobby Miller officiating.

Mrs. Underwood will lie in state, at the church, on Saturday from 12:00 noon until the hour of service.  Her family invites guests to visit and pay their respects begining at 1:00 o'clock p.m.

Mrs. Underwood will be laid to rest beside her husband in the Mt. Zion Cemetery in Rockledge.

Serving as pallbearers will be: Andrew Freel, Steve Kovacs, Mark Holt, Reece Evans, Donald Barrs and Freddie Evans.

If so desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Rockledge United Methodist Church. 1691 Church Loop Rd., Rockledge, GA  30454 or to the Mt. Zion Cemetery, c/o Ronnie Wilkes, 2300 Thairdell Rd., Rockledge, GA  30454

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SAMMONS FUNERAL HOME, The Tradition Since 1917.  Building Relationships, Honoring Memories and Providing Care throughout the Southeast.  912-529-4411