Catheryne Grasty Nickens was born on July 5, 1924 to the late Charlotte and Issac Grasty Sr. in Danville, Virginia. She was one of six children. She had two brothers, Issac Grasty Jr., and Phillip Grasty and three sisters, Rebecca Wilson, Clarice Palmer and Gloria Williams. She was joined in holy matrimony to the late Frank E. Nickens Sr. on May 14, 1944. From this union, nine children were born: Joyce Thompson, Shirley Spagnolo, Paula Nickens (deceased), Frank Nickens Jr., Mary Woodward, Anthony Nickens, Sharon Nickens, Angelique Keels and Martin Nickens.

Catheryne was educated in Washington DC where she attended Cardoza Senior High School and continued her education at Federal City College receiving a B. A in Early Childhood Education. She was employed by the DC Department of Mental Health, Child and Youth Administration, Therapeutic Nursery and The Barney Senior Center where she retired.

Catheryne attended St Francis de Sales Catholic Church and was a member of women’s sodality where she met other ladies forming a bond of friendships.

Catheryne enjoyed life and love staying active. She also loved cooking, baking, caring for her plants and watching reruns of her favorite shows Sanford & Son and Walker Texas Ranger.

Catheryne was called home to be with the Lord on April 2, 2022. Those left to cherish her memories, her sister Gloria

Williams, her four daughters Joyce Thompson, Shirley Spagnolo (Donald), Mary Woodward, Sharon Nickens, Angelique Keels (Herman), three sons Frank Nickens Jr. (Oketta), Anthony Nickens and Martin Nickens, ten grandchildren, twenty-two great-grandchildren, seven great-great grandchildren and a host of other family members and friends.