Catherine began this life July 4, 1923, in the small farming community of Junction City, AR the daughter of Wesley and Ethel (Glover) Welch. She started school in a small two-room school at Three Creeks, AR and was taught by a husband/wife team. Catherine graduated from high school in 1941 as the valedictorian of her class. She immediately went to work at the local AAA office in El Dorado, AR while continuing her education at Draughon's Business School. She would later receive her associate degree in business. On February 24, 1946, Catherine married Hobart Fannin in El Dorado. The two followed Hobart's career to several different communities in Oklahoma and Texas before coming to Marietta in 1963. In 1964, Catherine began work as the secretary for the superintendent's office at Marietta Public Schools and served the school system for 24 years until her retirement in 1988.

Over the years, Catherine stayed busy doing volunteer work for her church and a few other civic organizations. She was a member of the Love County Retired Educators Association and the Marietta First Baptist Church. Catherine taught Sunday school and served as the church clerk. She had recently been attending the First Baptist Church in Ardmore and had come to cherish many of the friendships she created there as well. Catherine was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother who always made her family her top priority.

Catherine was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Hobart; a grandson, Joshua Lofgren; two brothers, Crawford Welch and Joseph Welch; and two sisters, Gladys Lochbaum and Margie Tindall. Those left to cherish her memory are her sons, Rev. Ron Fannin and wife Jamie of Moore, OK, Dr. Alton Fannin and wife Judy of Ardmore, and Mark Fannin of Amarillo, TX; grandchildren, Melanie Nippert and husband Bill of Hickory Creek, TX, C. Todd Fannin and wife Aimee of Pryor, OK, Gregory Fannin and wife Stephanie of Tishomingo, OK, Lea Ann Quirk and husband David of Norman, OK, Joy Fannin and fiancé Justin Paul of Ardmore, David Fannin and wife Jessica of Ardmore, Morgan Fannin of Norfolk, VA, and Natalie Fannin of Amarillo, TX; fourteen great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

Casket bearers are Austin Fannin, Braden Fannin, Todd Fannin, Greg Fannin, David Fannin, and Riggs Billingsley.

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