Virginia Catherine Netherland passed away Monday, June 16,2014 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
She was born April 17, 1922 in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma. She was the 2nd of 4 children born to James Frank Jackson and Lula Mabel Anderson Jackson. Known by all as "Catherine", she married Hershal Oneal Netherland on June 13, 1948 for what would become a happy 62 year marriage. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Oneal Netherland, infant daughter, and her son Gary Netherland, two sisters, Carol Fenner and Ann McCoy, and brother Billy Jackson. Catherine is survived by a daughter, Catherine Anne Goddard, and her husband Lindsey Goddard, granddaughters, Michelle Davis and husband Joshua Davis, Diana Garr and husband Steven Garr, all of Tulsa.
Catherine was born in rural Okmulgee County, Oklahoma. In 1928 when work became scarce and the Great Depression and Dust Bowl were beginning to be felt, the family moved to Miranda City, Texas where she remained until she graduated high school in 1940. She attended (TSCW) Texas State College for Women in Denton, Texas and then returned to Miranda City to teach Spanish.
She returned to Oklahoma in 1943.As WW II was underway she found employment with the Douglas Aircraft Company working in the Time Standard Department as timekeeper. As the war wound down, she found a job at Geophysical Research Company. Shortly after the war, she noticed a new young man at First Baptist Church of Tulsa. He was a recent WWII veteran named Oneal Netherland from Louisiana. They immediately fell in love and married on June 13, 1948. Oneal quickly climbed the latter at First National Bank of Tulsa and eventually became Senior Executive Vice President at the bank. Catherine was the ideal banker's wife. Oneal said, "When I reflect upon my career and how much I enjoyed it, I soon realize it was made possible by Catherine. Since early 1946, she has been my encourager, my spiritual strength and she steadfastly held the "success ladder" that I enjoyed so much. "Yes, without her, nothing would have been worthwhile. She has been the perfect girlfriend, wife and mother. God put us together. .. she deserves only the best."
They were blessed in 1951 with the birth of their son Gary. Times were good, but there were big challenges, too. Gary was born with special needs. He endured numerous medical issues beginning early in life with two brain craniotomies, three bouts with Hodgkin's disease, Lymphoma and other health issues. Catherine spent untold hours lovingly working with Gary's legs to help develop muscle strength and coordination. She never complained but always saw her circumstances as God working in all their lives for their good and the good of others. Gary's needs led both Catherine and Oneal becoming integral parts of the development and success of McCalls Chapel School.
In 1959, Catherine became a mother again, this time to a beautiful daughter named Cathey, who brought them great joy. Catherine's love was pleasing her family. She was the typical mother of the 50' s. Her "job" was running things at home raising two children and taking care of her husband. Oneal often told Catherine he would make the living if she would make the living worthwhile.
Catherine accepted Jesus and was baptized at First Baptist Church of Okmulgee when she was 8 years old. She visited the homebound, and faithfully called her Sunday School class each week. She took praying for others seriously.
Memorial service will be 1:00 P.M., Thursday June 19,2014 at Memorial Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Family Assistance Ministry at Memorial Baptist Church, 2800 S Yale, Tulsa, OK 74114, or to McCalls Chapel Communities, 13546 CR 3600, Ada, OK 74820. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233
share memories at www.moorefuneral.com