Christine LaJuan Cato was born to Hilma and T. L. McCracken on October 1, 1937. She passed away peacefully on September 18, 2024 at the age of 86.

Services will be held at Aulds Funeral Home in Electra on Thursday, September 26th, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.  Interment will follow in Electra Memorial Park under the direction of Aulds Funeral Home of Electra.

LaJuan will lie in state from 9:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 25th, 2024 and from 9:00 a.m. until service time on Thursday, September 26th, 2024 at Aulds Funeral Home of Electra

She was a beautiful baby, and had a beauty that radiated from her for the rest of her life. She graduated from Electra High School in 1956 where she was crowned "Class Beauty," a title she wore humbly.

LaJuan- "Juanie" to her many friends- married her high school sweetheart, Donnie Ray Gilbert, upon their graduation. They raised three beautiful children: Bruce, Barry (Bodie), and Kristin. LaJuan had a talent for making their homes beautiful and inviting. As time went by, she found her place of service in the community as a nurse. She received her diploma as a Registered Nurse from the Bethania Hospital nursing program in 1967. She would go on to work at the Wichita Falls State Hospital for 27 years caring for countless lives.

In her retirement, she enjoyed bible study and remained very strong in her faith. She had a passion for shopping and always looked like a million bucks. She was a faithful friend and maintained these friendships through out her life. She was generous, caring, and loved her family dearly. She was always helping those in need- a passion handed down to her children and grandchildren who made her so proud.

A beautiful angel with the tireless nurse's heart is at rest.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gaylord Cato; parents, Hilma and T.L. McCracken; son Bruce Eric Gilbert and daughter-in-law Beret Louise Gilbert; brothers Terry and Geary McCracken; and sister Pat Francis.

She is survived by her children, Barry Don (Bodie) and wife, Karol Gilbert of Iowa Park and Kristin Gilbert Sucich of Keller; grandchildren Kandace and Josh Beavers of Keller, Erica and Ben Poff of Keller, Westin and Lindsey Gilbert of Wichita Falls, Dylan Gilbert Sucich of Bethesda,MD, Matthew and Breanna Sucich of Houston, and Erin Sucich of Dallas; great-grandchildren Jayden Beavers, Andy Beavers, Calvin Poff, Jackson Gilbert, and Collins Kyle Gilbert.

Contributions may be made in LaJuan's name to the Alzheimer's Association at act.alz.org.