Ronald Graham Cate

WADESBORO – On Sunday, September 3, 2023, Mr. Ronald Graham Cate, 81, passed away peacefully at his home with his family gathered at his bedside.

            There will be a graveside service at 11:00AM Friday, September 8, 2023, at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church Cemetery in Peachland with Rev. Tim Helms officiating.

            The family will greet friends following the service at the cemetery.

            Ron was born December 11, 1941, in Sacramento, CA and was a son of the late Ronald Marshall Cate and the late Elsie Graham Cate.  He was a veteran of the United States Army Reserve. He was a member of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Peachland.

            He had a long and successful career in textile manufacturing which began in California and later took him to Virginia and North Carolina. In 1986, he opened Shanna Corporation in Wadesboro, a cut and sewing manufacturing plant. In 1999, he opened Specialized Office Services in Troy, retiring in 2019.

            Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Cathy Harrington Cate; his daughters and sons-in-law, Shelly and Brian Rivenbark of Peachland and Shelby and Tim Emrich of Polkton; his grandchildren, Brittany Credle and husband, Ethan of Scranton, Blake Rivenbark of Peachland, Chance Emrich and wife, Caitlyn, Bailey Emirch and fiancé’, Cody Cline and Maidson Emrich all of Polkton; his great-granddaughter, Sadie Blake Credle; his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Diane Edwards of Wadesboro, Freddy Harrington and wife, Debbie and Michael Harrington and wife, Pat both of Polkton and Elaine Bunn and husband, Billy of Marshville.

            In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Carolyn Cate.

            He loved spending time on the farm riding his tractor. He was proud to be a city boy living in the country. A very humble man who loved his family and his dogs, he will be greatly missed.

            Because of his love for animals, the family suggests memorials be made to Friends of the Anson County Animal Shelter, c/o, Turner and Tarlton, 111 E Wade St # B, Wadesboro, NC 28170.

            The arrangements are in care of Leavitt Funeral Home and online condolences may be made at www.leavittfh.com