Obituary of Catherine Ryals

On Tuesday, July 28, 2020, Catherine “Cathy” Ryals, loving mother of three, grandmother of five, and great-grandmother of three passed away at the age of 82. Catherine was born on March 22, 1938 in Jesup, Georgia to Jim Nichols and Sara Lee Spradley. On May 14, 1955, she married the love of her life, Henderson “Leroy” Ryals. They raised three children, Roy Ryals, Karen Ryals, and Keith Ryals.

Catherine had a passion for serving God and believed in putting him first and preaching his word to everyone. She most enjoyed attending prayer meeting every Tuesday with her good friends’ Sister Shirley Parker and Sister Jerri Freeman. She always found happiness in even the hardest of times and enjoyed the simple things in life.

Catherine was preceded in death by her husband Leroy, two sisters, Betty Hammond and Madeline Brady, and her son Roy Ryals. She is survived by her cousin Lavern Spradley Hewitt, two children, Karen Ryals and Keith Ryals, grandchildren, Erica Ricaño, Victoria Patrick, Savannah Ryals, Kylie Ray Ryals, and Dylan Ryals and great-grandchildren Ivy Serenity Patrick, Kolten Franklin Patrick, and Timothy Patrick.

A small ceremony service will be held on Friday, July 31, 2020 at Southland Memorial Gardens at 700 W Dunbar Rd. W. Columbia, SC 29170 at 3 o’clock p.m. Flowers and donations may be sent to Thompson Funeral Home at 200 State St. West Columbia, SC 29169.