Cate, Serena McKinzey obituary

Cate, Serena McKinzey     [note spelling on headstone used for case file]

Published: Saturday, October 4, 2003 at 6:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, October 3, 2003 at 11:00 p.m.

Serena McKinzey Cate, 16 months, was called home to be with our Lord and Savior Sept. 29, 2003. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. today at Southside Chapel Funeral Home. The Rev. Bruce Word will officiate. Southside Chapel Funeral Home is in charge.

Serena was born May 21, 2002. She attended church at CrossPoint Community Church. She was a very loving child who loved ladybugs, marshmallows and dancing. She was a daddy's girl, papa's baby, momma's buddy and Hunter's baby sister. She had a smile that would light up a room. She was preceded in death by her great-grandparents, Claude Cate, Monroe and Vera Wilborn, Harold and Ella Mefford and George Hoff.

She is survived by her parents, Steve and Tonya (Grizzard) Cate, Gadsden; brother, Hunter Austin Cate, Gadsden; sister, Gabriel Byrd, Attalla; grandparents, Steve and Wanda Cate, Gadsden, Horace and Donna Grizzard, Oxford, and Jill Byrd, Attalla; great-grandmothers, Virginia Hoff, Piedmont, Zella Cate and Patricia Wilborn, Gadsden; uncles and aunts, Sondra (Patrick) Holbrooks, Caren (Chris) Brown, Carissa Grizzard, Joe (Wendy) Byrd, Michael (Anne) Byrd, Peter Byrd, Stacey Byrd and Laurie Byrd; and several cousins.

Pallbearers will be Scott Hall, Jamie Watts, Brian Fant and Michael Oswalt.

Special thanks to all the third-floor staff and doctors at UAB Children's Hospital and the Coates Bend Volunteer Fire Department and Medics. A special thanks also for all the prayers, love and support of our family and friends.

The family will accept flowers or donations may be made to UAB Children's Hospital in memory of Serena.

Visitation will be today from noon to 2 p.m. prior to the service.