Catharine Ross
Catharine Clements Ross, 79, wife of the Rev. Robert Jordan Ross, died July 23, 2015 in Sugar Land, TX. A native of Wrens, GA, she was born to Alma and John Clements. She met Robert at a dance and had to be wooed and won to the idea of marriage, which she planned to avoid, and then to this Yankee, from New York City, studying electronics at Camp Gordon. He planned to enter the Methodist ministry. Despite her family’s reservations, she joined him in Fort Huachuca, AZ, to be married at Trinity Methodist Church in Warren, AZ.
He completed his tour of duty and they moved to New York City. Robert began his theological studies at Drew University. Their first son was born in 1956. Catharine began to take college courses (free to student wives) at Brothers College of the University.
The family moved into the Fisherman’s Methodist Church parsonage in Brooklyn, where Robert was a student pastor. She studied at Brooklyn College, learned to play tennis, and worked at the Dime Savings Bank. After several successful years in Brooklyn they served Methodist churches in Marietta and Smyrna, GA. In the tumult of the civil rights movement, they served UU churches. After working with student groups in Georgia and South Carolina, they moved to Kennebunk, ME, then to Topsfield, MA where Robert worked in Boston.
Their second son was born in 1961. Catharine continued to study at the University of Maine, Orange Coast College and Santa Ana College, pursing her work as a bank manager and a loan officer. Then her avocational focus turned to archeology and anthropology. As her interest grew, she became an officer of the Pacific Coast Archeological Society. In England, during Robert’s sabbatical, she ran the archeological laboratory at Winchester, working on the old Roman walls of the city. After two years in El Paso, they moved to Newport Beach, CA, living there for 41 years, while Robert served congregations in Costa Mesa, Newport Beach and Mission Viejo. In California, she participated in many digs of pre-Columbian settlements. She studied management with Bank of America and worked as a branch manager, returning to work as a loan officer to be nearer home.
She was a gracious hostess and spirited dinner companion, and a great dancer. She delighted in her family. Her gardens were her pride and joy. She was a kind friend to many, a source of wisdom to her husband.
Catharine was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2008. The disease gradually took away most of the things she enjoyed. She continued to enjoy reading (C.S. Lewis, English history, archeology, mysteries) up to the last year. Her decreasing capacities dogged her but her love remained strong and clear. She painstakingly noted birthdays and anniversaries to send greeting cards. Her spirit shone through until the end. A service was held July 25 at Providence Presbyterian Church in Sugar Land, TX. Her remains were buried at Ways Baptist Church, in Stellaville, GA. In addition to her husband of 59 years, she is survived her two sons, Jordan Clement Ross and Derek Allen Ross and their families, which include three grandchildren and three great granddaughters; and by three brothers and two sisters. She was predeceased by her parents and by another brother.
Notes of remembrance may go to Robert Jordan Ross, 5910 Gentlewood Lane, Sugar Land, TX 77479.