Thursday, January 16, 2025
"The Earth Without Art is Just Eh."
Catherine Thurmond Self, age 76, passed away on Friday, Dec.13, 2024.
Known as Cathi to her friends and family and Mrs. Self to thousands of former students, she had an incredible impact on so many people throughout her life. Having had a career as an art teacher, she drew out the creativity and potential in so many young minds. With her humor and easy-going attitude, she could make people feel comfortable even in the most stressful situations, like being a high school student.
Cathi was born in Bryan on Aug. 25, 1948, the first child of a military family. Growing up she attended several schools stateside and in Germany and graduated high school in Haltom City in 1966. She continued her education at North Texas State University where she gained her bachelor's degree in art education in 1973. She began teaching that same year and had short stints in Frisco, Lewisville, and Hernando, Mississippi. In 1982, Cathi and her family returned to Texas where she began her career with the Keller Independent School District until she retired in 2001. After retirement, she and her husband moved to Central Texas - first Levita then Gatesville, where she lived the rest of her days.
Cathi loved animals, especially cats, horses, and goats. Her entire life she had cats, indoor, outdoor, barn, and everything in-between. She enjoyed horseback riding and raised quarter horses for several years. In retirement was when she gained an affinity for goats. They were easier to handle than horses in her later years and more portable, too.
Also, after retirement, Cathi continued her involvement in art. Sketches, painting, pottery - she did not stop her creativity from flowing. She joined nearby art groups, including the Coryell Art League, and at times continued her teaching ways with peers that shared the same interest of art as her. Even in her last year, she continued to sketch and color in a way that was almost second nature to her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Joyce and Jim Thurmond, and her husband, Robert "Bob" Self.
Survivors include her son, Matthew Self; brother, Jimmy Thurmond; sister, Vicki Amick; nieces, nephews, and extended family.
Cathi's funeral will be held at Greenwood's Live Oak Chapel, 3100 White Settlement Rd, Fort Worth, TX 76107 on Thursday Jan.y 9th, at noon.
