EDGEFIELD, S.C. – Catherine Eve Nicholson Willis passed away peacefully at home on January 23, 2013.

Catherine Eve (Cat-Eve) was born July 7, 1924 in Edgefield, SC to Dr. Albert Rhett Nicholson and Elizabeth Hammond Bryan. Raised in Edgefield, she graduated as Valedictorian from Edgefield High School. She attended Winthrop College where she  was Queen of the May Court, elected to the Beta honor Society, and graduated with a major in Biology.

She married William A. Willis (Billy) in 1945 and they were happily married for 66 years. The early years of their marriage were spent in Edgefield and later years Billy’s career took them to Mobile, Ala, Shreveport, La, Charleston, SC and Perry, Ga., finally retiring in Beaufort, SC. Cat-Eve made many dear and lasting friendships wherever she lived, and always maintained an open and welcoming home for her many friends and relatives.

She was an active member of her Garden club, Colonial Dames, and the Episcopal Church. She was an avid bridge player, devoted many hours to her volunteer work, and loved swimming and crabbing with her grandchildren. Cat-Eve and Billy returned to her home town of Edgefield for their last years together.

Cat-Eve is pre-deceased by her husband Billy Willis and parents, her brothers Albert Rhett Nicholson Jr, Dr George Bryan Nicholson and Dr Samuel Hughes Nicholson. She is survived by her loving sister Mary Nicholson Allen, her children Dr. W. Allen Willis (Phyllis) of Fayetteville, NC, Elisabeth Bryan Willis of Trenton SC, Pamela Davies Willis of Auckland, NZ, and Rhett Nicholson Willis (Wayne) of Savannah, Ga, and her grandsons Dr. Rhett N. Willis Jr, George Mercer Willis, David Willis Turpin, John Willis Turpin, and William A. Willis III.

The family will receive visitors on Friday, Feb.1, from 6-8 pm, at their home at 519 Wigfall Street in Edgefield. The funeral will be a graveside service at Hammond Cemetery in Beech Island, SC at 11:00am on Saturday, Feb 2^nd.

Memorials may be sent to the Episcopal Church of the Ridge, or a charity of your choice.

Please sign the online register book at www.edgefieldmercantilefh.com.