Catherine Elaine Jump Ripley
In loving memory of our spectacular matriarch Catherine Elaine Jump Ripley of Williamsburg, Virginia – a devoted wife, mother, and beloved Grams. Cathy, as multitudes of Virginians have forever known her, was born on February 15, 1947, and we have all watched in awe since that day, as she made the world a better place.
On the evening of this past Easter Sunday, Cathy was surrounded by her loving family who stayed at her side until the first rays of sunlight flowed into her room, when at such time, she let go of our earthly hands, to join hands with her Savior, and live a life eternal.
Cathy is survived by her loving husband and high school sweetheart of 59 glorious years, Robert “Bob” Franklin Ripley. From the first moment they laid eyes on each other and Cathy literally leaped into his arms, they were, in a word, inseparable. Her sister and lifelong friend, Betty Brantley, was by her side from the first moment she was called, to help Cathy transition to a place without pain, without suffering.
Cathy was the epitome of grace and wit, a Mother and Forever Role Model for her three children: Shellie Mae Ripley Lynch (with Douglas Lynch of Richmond, VA), Tracy Lynn Ripley Walls (with William Walls, both of Williamsburg), and Timothy Brian Walker Ripley (of Whispering Pines, NC). Perhaps her favorite role was Grams, how Cathy brought joy, wisdom, and an infinite reservoir of love and patience to her nine adoring grandchildren: (from oldest to youngest) Mairin, Megan, Melody, Jordan, Maddie, Patton, Finn, Connor, and Callan.
A master gardener, florist and expert birdwatcher, Cathy celebrated the beauty of God’s Creation on every day of her life. As a caterer and skilled artisan with the sewing machine, there was no meal she couldn’t cook, and no dress she couldn’t repair.
As an entrepreneur, Cathy started a catering business, a bridal gown business, and was also instrumental in the daily operations of Bob Ripley Construction of Williamsburg. But, it was in her role as servant leader and pillar of the community, that countless lives were touched. An incomplete list of the organizations she enriched would include the Williamsburg Fire Department’s Lady’s Auxiliary, Soroptimists, Child Development Resources, Avalon Women’s Shelter, Latisha’s House Foundation and Agape Ministries. She dedicated her talents to Williamsburg Hospice House, where Cathy’s unwavering belief in God's grace and eternal life brought comfort and peace to all who knew her. Cathy was also dedicated to spreading the Good News, and was a chartering member of Wellspring Methodist Church. A viewing will be held this Saturday, April 6, at Nelsen Funeral Home, 3785 Strawberry Plains Rd., Williamsburg, from 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm. We will celebrate her life in a funeral service on Sunday, April 7 at 2:30 pm at Williamsburg United Methodist Church, where Cathy and Bob exchanged their sacred vows, and pledged themselves to be examples for us all.
Flowers are welcome because we know Cathy will smile with every blossom she sees. Should you wish to donate to a charity of your choice that makes the world a better place, we also know Cathy would approve. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.nelsenwilliamsburg.com.