Amanda Cate

Amanda Byington Cate died Friday, August 13, 2021 at age 90.

She was the daughter of Ethel Brimer Byington and Cmdr. Moses Brownlow Byington and came from four pioneer Tennessee families: the Edgar and Brimer families Jefferson County, the Fox family of Knox County and the Byington family of McMinn and Knox counties.

She received both BS and MS degrees from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, post graduate work at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and the Kodaly Institutes in Massachusetts and Hungary. She worked in Knox County and Chattanooga City Schools. Mrs. Cate was a principal for 22 years. She served at Barger and opened both Big Ridge and Chattanooga School of Performing Arts. Mrs. Cate sang with the Chattanooga Symphony Opera Chorus, Bach Choir and her church choir. She served on the Administrative board of Brainerd United Methodist Church, Christ United Methodist Church and the Vestry of Grace Episcopal Church. She had been president of the Adult Education Council and Chairperson of the Tennessee Arts Commission Dance Panel. Mrs. Cate had been on Bach Choir, Choral Arts Society and Little Theatre Boards and served as Shakespeare Competition Chairperson for English Speaking Union.

Since retiring Mrs. Cate traveled, gardened, quilted, read books, worked with Belvoir Neighborhood Association and volunteered at Grace Episcopal Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Jane Byington Williams and a granddaughter, Jennifer Miller.

Survivors include her children, Ralph (Joy) Carroll, Jane (Steve) Baker, Nancy Carroll Miller and Tom (Jerry Evans) Carroll; three grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; a niece, Ann Lykens Yarbrough and a nephew, Bob Lykens. Many thanks to Hearth Hospice and her dedicated caregiver, Nita Bush.

A private graveside service will be held at Brimer Cemetery in Knox County.

The family will receive friends at Grace Episcopal Church courtyard from 5:30 – 7:30 PM Friday, August 27, 2021.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Grace Episcopal Church Music Fund, 20 Belvoir Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37411 or to Bach Choir PO Box 80576 Chattanooga, Tennessee 37414.

Arrangements are by the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, 404 South Moore Road, East Ridge, TN 37412.

Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastChapel.com.