Catherine Luvinia Muse

Catherine Luvenia Muse was born September 1, 1939, in Norfolk, Virginia to the late Edward E. and Catherine Gregory.  She was the second eldest of eight children and was affectionately given the nicknames “Baby Sis,” and “Cathy”.  Her mother passed away when she was 11 years old, thrusting her into the role of caregiver assisting her father in caring for the family.  She did laundry in a tub with a wash board, cooked delicious meals, and cared for her youngest siblings all while successfully graduating from Princess Anne County Training School located in Virginia Beach, VA where she was also a majorette.  Catherine often talked about those days in Gracetown with her siblings, and the strong protective bond they had for one another.

She married Sergeant First Class Kenith H. Muse Sr., and their union of 50 years produced two children, Kenith Muse Jr., and Kanika Muse Jones. Their home was always filled with children, and later grandchildren.  Being a military spouse allowed her to travel throughout the United States, and the US territory of Puerto Rico.  She has seven children.  Her ability to relocate and have everything set up at the new duty assignments within a 24-hour period spoke highly of her organizational skills, and commitment to a smooth transition for her family. She wasted no time in finding a new church, joining the choir, and registering her children for school.  Visitors were amazed at her always clean house, and the speed in which she could whip up a full course dinner; the people’s favorites were her mustard fried pork chop, fried chicken, turkey soup, and every Pastor’s request for church events, peach cobbler.   A natural gift for caregiving she chose Certified Nursing as her employment career specializing in senior care.  She retired in the early years of 2000 from Our Lady of Perpetual Help located in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Catherine enjoyed crabbing, skiing, camping, dancing, and exercising.  She enjoyed singing and playing the guitar.  She enjoyed convertible cars owning two during her lifetime.  Her grandchildren were her special joy.

On May 7th Catherine shook Kenny Jr.’s hand and thanked him for all the care he had provided for her over the years.  She also told him to tell everyone thank you, and that she loves everyone.  On the evening of May 8th, the Lord brought her home.  She leaved to cherish her memory, her husband Kenith H. Muse Sr.; her children Kenith Jr., Kanika Muse Jones, Cynthia Hymon (George), Oliver A Holbert III (Christine), Sarah Walls, Glenn Holbert (Cynthia), Larry Holbert (Wendy), their father Oliver Holbert Jr., Kendra Gay (Troy), Ricardo James ; twenty-six grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren; siblings, Bobby Gregory (Mary), Frankie Gregory, Phillip White (Brenda) and a host of relatives, friends.  She is preceded in death by her brothers Freddie Gregory, Percell Gregory (his wife Alferette), Dansby Gregory, sister Eula Gail Banks, grandsons Jason Barnes and Jayden Moore.