ViVian Kathleen ‘Cathy’ James Garber

Vivian Kathleen “Cathy” James Garber passed away peacefully on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, in Houston and was welcomed by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

During the last few months of her life, as those who knew her well would expect, she put up a great fight against her cancer. To the end, she fought her final battle with grace, strength and a strong reliance on her faith.

Cathy was born on March 3, 1949, in Teague to parents, George Holton and Vivian Childs James. She graduated from Teague High School in 1967 and then attended Sam Houston State University where she graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Teaching in 1971. Cathy grew up attending the First Baptist Church in Teague and later became a member of Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, where she attended with her family when she moved to Houston.

Cathy was an amazing, dedicated and much-loved teacher at Sallie Mounger Elementary School in Teague, where she taught for 30 years. She loved teaching, especially reading and writing, and spent all but two of her teaching years as a 2nd grade teacher, fulfilling her passion of educating “her” kids.After retiring as a full-time teacher, she continued doing what she loved as a substitute teacher in Spring Branch I.S.D., where she stayed booked up well in advance and rarely took a day off.

Cathy was a devoted and loving mother to her only daughter, Leigh Schuster Tomaski, and grandmother to her grandchildren, Zachary and Abigail, whom she adored. She enjoyed playing 42, reading, studying her Bible, scrapbooking, spending time with her beloved dog, Rags (and previously Boo), and above all spending time with family and attending every sporting event, ceremony or occasion that her cherished grandchildren were a part of. Cathy also loved spending time with her mother and sisters and spent many years caring for family members.

Cathy had a heart of gold, never met a stranger and always put the needs of others above her own. She spent countless hours helping and visiting with others, hoping to put a smile on the faces of anyone and everyone she met. She was affectionately known as Grammy, not only to her grandchildren, but to many others she “claimed” along the way. Cathy touched the lives of all who knew her, in her very special way. She will be dearly missed by many.

Cathy is survived by her daughter, Leigh Schuster Tomaski; son-in-law, Richard Tomaski; grandson, Zachary Tomaski; granddaughter, Abigail Tomaski, all of Houston; two sisters, Genelle James Cannon of Fairfield, and Glenda James Smith of Lumberton; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; her loving friend, Bubba Garber of Mexia,; and many other treasured friends.

Cathy was preceded in death by her father, George Holton James; her mother, Vivian Childs James; two sisters, Louise James Mullen and Shari Lynn James; and two brothers, Thomas Holton James and David F. James.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, Nov. 25, at 10 a.m. in the Chapel at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church in Houston.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at gifts.mdanderson. org or to Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church at mdpc. onlinegiving.org/donate/customform/ 1445#!/.