Barbara Jan (McGahee) Cato

Thomson - Barbara Jan Cato age 81 passed away on March 16 2026 surrounded by her family.

A devoted wife to Leon and loving mother to Dairen, she was always working to make life somewhat better for everyone she came in contact with.

Jan was born on May 22 1944 to Judson and Eva McGahee of the panhandle of Warren County, GA. Jan went to Purvis School for 6 years and then went to Warrenton school until she graduated high school. Jan worked at Thomson Company and later went on to work for the GA Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division, then later moved to the Wildlife Division until she retired, after 30 years of service. After retirement, Jan shopped at her favorite places: Hamrick’s, Belk’s and Macy’s. Jan loved reading books in her spare time and spending time with family.

Jan leaves behind her loving husband of 59 years Leon; her son, Dairen (Sandy); grandsons, Cole Cato and Remington Mathis; granddaughters, Hannah Humphrey (Everett) and Kinslee Mathis (James); two great-grandsons, JP and Kysin; sister, Glenice Stone (Robert); brother, Donnie McGahee; youngest brother, James Cutt McGahee (Karen);  two nieces, Robin Stone and Pam Gillespie (Jon); and two sisters-in-law, Mary Ellen Cato and Louise Hampton.

Pallbearers are Mike Hobbs, Raymond Brinkley, Stanley Phillips, Matt Garthwright, Leroy Ficklin, and Kevin McGahee.

Visitation will be Wednesday, March 18 2026 at the Curtis Funeral Home in Thomson, GA from 6PM to 8PM.

The Funeral will be Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 11 AM, at Mount Beulah Baptist Church at 5535 Mount Beulah Church Road Stapleton Ga. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Donations may be made to the McDuffie County Relay for Life.