Catherine Ann Milstead

Catherine Ann (Pregge) Milstead went home to be with her Lord and Savior on March 9, 2023.  She was born on August 26, 1943, in Shreveport, Louisiana, to Winnie Virginia (Hamilton) Pregge and Clifford C. Pregge, Sr.  Catherine was the eldest of 5 children.  She had a brother and 3 sisters.  During her childhood, teenage years, and young adulthood, Catherine also lived in San Antonio, Texas and Birmingham, Alabama.

Catherine came from a long lineage of creative and talented people - both artistically and musically.  A love and appreciation for the arts was fostered in Catherine at a young age.  She enjoyed painting and crafting, and she had a lovely soprano voice.  Even as a teen, when her friends and classmates were probably more focused on contemporary music, Catherine absolutely loved going to opera performances.  Madame Butterfly was one of her favorites.  Throughout adulthood, Catherine would often be heard by her family in another room of the house, softly singing an aria, as she went about her day.  She also very much enjoyed the symphony and loved to visit art museums.

It was in Birmingham, Alabama that Catherine met Joe Milstead - the love of her life, her best friend, and her devoted husband of over 60 years.  After having been acquainted as adolescents at church years prior, Catherine and Joe became reacquainted in their late teens, and began dating immediately thereafter.  A year later, in 1962, they decided to marry.  They welcomed their first daughter (Dana) in 1964 and their second daughter (Carrie) in 1968.  Catherine devoted her life to taking care of her home and family and considered it her calling.

Catherine accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior as a young adult, and dedicated herself to growing in her faith.  It wasn’t long before she had read the entire Bible, and she definitely knew Scripture, inside and out.  Catherine was a staunch prayer warrior - both for her family, and for anyone in need.  If Catherine told someone that she would pray for them, she absolutely did so - and would continue to pray for as long as needed.

Catherine and Joe truly enjoyed spending time together and shared many common interests (although Joe never quite warmed up to opera, nor art museums.)  They enjoyed traveling, and once their girls were grown, Catherine accompanied Joe on business travel, and they enjoyed many leisure trips to locations, such as: Hawaii, Cancun, Destin, New York, New England, Vail, and many others.  Catherine loved to immerse herself in every new place she visited and relished sightseeing.  Golf was another interest that Catherine and Joe shared - whether relaxing at home and watching tournaments on TV or attending the Byron Nelson in years past.

Catherine had a caring and empathetic heart for anyone who was hurting, marginalized, lonely or unseen.  That caring heart extended to animals, as well.  Catherine especially loved and doted on dogs, and the family was never complete without at least one rescue dog (usually more).

Even as Catherine’s time on this earth was slowly winding to a close, the love and devotion between her and Joe was every bit as strong as the day they wed (if not stronger.)  “I love you’s” were frequent and heartfelt.  They held hands, stayed by one another’s side, and Joe would often look at Catherine and tell her she was the most beautiful girl in the whole world.

Although we are deeply saddened by the loss of Catherine’s physical presence with us, we are comforted and encouraged by the knowledge that she is joyful in heaven.  We know that this is not goodbye - just “until we are reunited”.  What a glorious reunion that will be.

Catherine is survived by her husband, Joe Milstead, daughters Dana Milstead Christian and Carrie Milstead Landgrover (Derick), brother Clifford C Pregge, Jr (Regina), and sisters Susan Gwin (Mark), Ginger Gamble and Milyn Pregge - in addition to many other cherished family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clifford and Winnie Pregge.

A graveside celebration of Catherine’s life will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at Pecan Grove Cemetery, 1701 McDonald, Mc Kinney, Texas 75069.