Cathy Wilkins Gillenwater

Cathy Wilkins Gillenwater went home to her Lord and Savior on Sunday morning, April 26th, 2026. Cathy was born on December 11th, 1961 in Forsyth County, NC to the late Charles Herman Wilkins and Pauline Wilkins. Cathy was a 1980 graduate from North Forsyth High School. She worked for various employers, those being; Wendy's, Horizons Residential Care, North Carolina Baptist Hospital mail services, Winston Salem/Forsyth County Schools Cafeteria, and Imprints Care. However, her greatest job as Cathy put it was being a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Cathy viewed a homemaker as the best and most rewarding calling that she could have ever experienced, and she excelled at it. Cathy met the love of her life, Larry Dennis Gillenwater Jr. on July 3rd, 1988 and it began 38 years of a relationship that God enriched in ways we could never imagine. Cathy's passion was her family. She homeschooled her children for 15 years and loved to participate in all of their activities from dance, to parades, to soccer, basketball, family vacations, and exploring new places to eat. In her later years, Cathy's passion was also her grandchildren. Her grandchildren knew her as Grandma Amazon as they knew they could send a weekly list of what their mothers would not buy, however, Grandma would fulfill their list. She was very active in the lives of her grandchildren and her children knew that grandma could be called upon for anything at any time. Cathy was a devoted lover of cats and loved most her cat Precious who she is now with in Heaven. Cathy was an avid cook whose cooking was so incredible that it made you come back for more. She loved to feed family, friends, and neighbors and she used it as an incredible ministry for many years. She touched the lives of many with her cooking and generosity. Cathy would always tell her husband that she loved him more than he could ever know and that he was the love of her life. Their years together were so rich and plentiful, and their love was so strong that it overcame the darkest of days and the worst of storms. They wanted their marriage to be an example of what a marriage should be, but most of all, they wanted their marriage to exemplify Christ, who was the center piece and anchor of their marriage for many years. It was Christ our Lord who held the marriage together through the good and the bad, and Christ who gets all the glory for the 38 years of a beautiful and loving relationship. Cathy and Larry loved to go out to eat, and especially attend Wake Forest Baseball games, and soccer games. However, Cathy would always tell Larry just simply being together was good enough for her, which was evident as when they were not apart, they were always together. They did enjoy their various vacations together, and especially the family trips each Spring. Her family wants everyone to know that Cathy was incredible. She filled our homes and lives in ways beyond comprehension. She was our anchor and a beautiful soul whose life defined us all. She will be so missed so very much and her passing leaves a void no one could ever fill. Her husband wants everyone to know he was truly blessed to be able to have Cathy by his side these many years and he was made a better and stronger man for it. To my precious Cathy, I love you. You were my everything. Your hugs and kisses filled my heart and soul in ways you could never imagine. You were always there for me and without you my life is so empty. Your prayers the Lord heard and our prayer time every morning made my days always so much better. The sound of your voice as you would pray for me was that of an angel. I will so very much miss the touch of your hands, and the embrace of your hugs. You filled my cooler each and every morning and made certain I had a good lunch, and each and every evening you made certain your big boy had something to eat as you would so lovingly put it. However, it was the going out on dates we cherished the most. I would always reach over and hold your hands as we drove, a touch I will miss beyond measure. I want the world to know it was your generous and unselfish heart I treasured so much. You always told me that being together is all that mattered, and that as long as we had a roof over our head, and food to eat, we were blessed and well provided for. You taught this man so much, and without you by my side I would not have been the man I am today. You defined me baby, and I miss you more than words could ever say. You were the most beautiful woman in the whole world. I love you so very much and look forward to the day we will be together for eternity. Cathy is survived by her husband, Larry Dennis Gillenwater Jr of East Bend, NC. Three children; Wesley (Morgan) Gillenwater of East Bend, NC, Misti (Johnathan) DeWitt of Hamptonville NC, and Cory (Sunny) of King, NC. Five grandchildren; Matthew DeWitt, Everlee DeWitt, Mollie DeWitt, Mckenna Gillenwater, Declan Gillenwater (deceased), as well as two step-grandchildren; Alex DeWitt and Cameron DeWitt. She is also survived by Sister, Brenda Pascal, and brothers; Mike Wilkins, Tommy Wilkins, and David Wilkins. Her brother-in laws, Shane (Penny) Gillenwater of Yadkinville, and Luke (Laura Lee) Gillenwater of Raleigh; sister-in-law’s, Stella Gillenwater of Winston Salem, Diana Hodges of East Bend, and Shanna Gillenwater of Winston Salem; and mother-in-law Lillian Gillenwater of Winston Salem. She was preceded in death by her father, Charles Herman Wilkins and Mother Pauline Wilkins, and sister; Judy Atkins and brother-in-law, David Atkins. The family will receive friends, Sunday, May 3, 2026 from 2:00 PM until 3:00 PM at Gentry Family Funeral Service in East Bend. A celebration of life will follow the visitation at 3:00 PM in the Gentry Family Chapel with Pastor Luke Bell officiating. Burial will follow the service at East Bend Baptist Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Timothy's Episcopal Church (2575 Parkway Drive, Winston Salem NC 27103) in care of the Society of St Joseph of Arimathea, and Yadkin Christian Ministries of Yadkin County, NC. Gentry Family Funeral Service in East Bend is serving the Gillenwater family.