Catherine Louise McNally

Catherine Louise McNally age 92, passed away on August 23, 2023 at her residence in The Rosewood at Fort Oglethorpe after a valiant battle with dementia. She was born on November 14, 1930, the youngest of 6 children to Dan and Willie Broom McNally. She graduated from Gordon Lee High School where she lettered in basketball and received her B.S. degree in Physical Education from Georgia Southern University, formerly Georgia State Teacher’s College in Statesboro, GA. She obtained her master’s degree from University of South Alabama in Mobile, AL. She taught at Murphy High School in Mobile for 36 years where she received many accolades. In 1966, the yearbook, “THE MOHIAN”, was dedicated to her with the following statement: “Students Honor Builder of Youth; Supporting Murphy in all of its many activities requires a loyalty that few people possess. When someone has this loyalty and maintains it from year to year, it is appropriate to recognize her efforts in a material manner. Upon graduation from Georgia State Teachers College in 1953, Miss Catherine McNally came to Murphy as a physical education instructor and began at once to find a place in the hearts of her students and fellow workers. To the tremendous tasks of co-sponsoring the senior class and coaching the boys’ tennis team, Miss McNally adds the responsibility of chaperoning dances and bus trips, attending athletic events regularly, and working after school with girls and boys who participate in intramural sports programs. Shortly before her father’s death in 1964, the people of Chickamauga, Georgia, built a ballpark naming it the Dan McNally Park because of his interest in young athletes. Following in his footsteps, Miss McNally has stimulated and encouraged many teens to lead healthier and more active lives. Her teaching assignment does not end with school, for she works summers as a playground supervisor. Young people all over Mobile have been influenced by her promotion of honesty and fair play in all that they do. To express our appreciation, we proudly dedicate to you, Miss Catherine McNally, THE 1966 MOHIAN.” Catherine retired from Murphy in 1990 after a teaching career of over 36 years. At her retirement celebration, she was recognized by Murphy High School for having led their track teams to 15 Alabama State Track Championships! Catherine was an avid sports fan. She attended the Olympics in Montreal and Atlanta. She had been a Braves partial-season ticket holder since 1998, sharing the tickets with many of her friends and family. She was honored with a personalized brick on the Champions Walk at the Braves stadium. But her heart was with the athletics at Gordon Lee Middle School and High School. There could not have been a more faithful or enthusiastic supporter of Gordon Lee athletics than Catherine McNally. She was a GLHS football season ticket holder for over 24 years. She even attended practices. She participated in almost every fund raiser the schools had, storing dozens of rolls of un-opened Christmas wrapping paper in her attic. She attended graduations every year even if she had no relatives in the current graduating class. She purchased bricks for the TROJAN WALK in memory and honor of all her family members who attended GLHS. She was honored by an annual award given in her name to the student athletes in Gordon Lee Middle School who best showed qualities of kindness, caring, sportsmanship, character, behavior, grades and school spirit. She also threw the first pitch at the beginning of the spring baseball season for the local little league teams at Dan McNally Park. She was a faithful and active member of the Elizabeth Lee United Methodist Church her entire life. She not only coached softball and volleyball teams but was an active player for many years, into her 80’s. She also bowled in a bowling league until she was 88, only stopping when she broke an arm. Catherine was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings: JW McNally (Mildred), Mary Davis (John), Daniel McNally, Jr., Dr. Elizabeth McNally and Pauline Yearout (Bill); nephews: Daniel McNally, III, Steven Yearout, Tim Yearout and loving nephew-in-law, Phillip Helton. She is survived by nieces: Betty Davis Thompson, Cathy Davis Kinsey, Paula Yearout Helton, and great-niece Kim Yearout Hodge; nephew: Kristopher McNally; sister-in-law, Lois McNally and many other nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends Friday – September 1, 2023 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm and Saturday – September 2, 2023 from 11:00 Am to 12:30 pm at Wilson Funeral Homes – J.Avery Bryan Chapel in Chickamauga, Georgia. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 pm – Saturday – September 2, 2023 at Elizabeth Lee United Methodist Church in Chickamauga, Georgia. Burial will follow at Lakewood Memory Gardens-South, Rossville, Georgia. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Gordon Lee Middle School at 402 Cove Road – Chickamauga, Georgia 30707 or Chickamauga Recreation Association, 500 Cove Road -Chickamauga, GA 30707. Arrangements by Wilson Funeral Homes – J.Avery Bryan Chapel, Chickamauga, Georgia.

Catherine Louise McNally

November 14, 1930 - August 23, 2023