Catherine Anna Hutton, 28, of Brandon, MS, died Monday, May 12, 2008 at her parents' home in Tchula, MS, following a year-long battle with liver cancer.

Born April 26, 1980, Catherine was the third child of Laine and Sam Hutton, Jr. of Tchula. Her older siblings Emily and Samuel and younger sister Rachel enjoyed many years with Catherine as they grew up on their family's farm. Catherine received her elementary education at Covenant Christian School in Yazoo City, MS, and then completed high school at Cruger-Tchula Academy, graduating in May 1998. She studied two years at Mississippi Delta Community College in Moorhead, MS, while working for Dr. Perry Whites of Greenwood, and completed her dental hygiene degree at University Medical Center in May 2002. After completing her hygiene degree, Catherine worked full-time for Drs. Gregory Tharp and Michelle Crews of Jackson, and part-time for Dr. Daniel Story of Jackson, and Dr. John Goolsby of Clinton. Her patients were drawn to Catherine's warm smile, contagious laugh and giving spirit. As a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, Catherine grew up as a covenant child in Tchula Presbyterian Church. After moving to Brandon, she became an active member of Brandon Presbyterian Church where she was involved in the women's ministry, children's Sunday school and Vacation Bible School. It became her heart's desire to serve the Lord in her profession, and she would often times silently pray for her patients as she cleaned their teeth. In the summer of 2004, Catherine was part of a dental mission team to Peru, and she had planned to return again last summer of 2007. The Lord's plans for Catherine were different, however, and in May 2007, she was diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer. Dr. Tammy Young took Catherine's case, and she became not only her physician but a dear friend to Catherine and all of her family. Catherine touched the lives of many of the staff at Hederman Cancer Clinic where she received treatments. Many Fridays, she would show up with special snacks for all the staff. Catherine had an endearing personality, and she could always find a way to make people laugh. After her diagnosis, her chief concern was that she glorify God through her suffering by helping others. God has and is answering that prayer even in her death.

Catherine is survived by her parents Elaine Flemming Hutton and Samuel Donnell Gwin Hutton, Jr. of Tchula, MS, and her grandmother Janice Flemming of Cruger, MS. Surviving siblings include Emily Hutton Porter and her husband Ryan of Memphis, TN; Samuel Hutton and his wife Emily of Tampa, FL; and Rachel Hutton Halbert and her husband Aaron of Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Dear to Catherine's heart were her nephew Will Porter, her nieces Maggie Porter, Meredith Porter and Anna Christine Hutton, and her constant companion – her schnauzer Sebastian.

A private family funeral will be held at Tchula Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, May 14 at 11:00 a.m. with no visitation before or after. Visitation is to be held on Thursday, May 15 at First Presbyterian Church, Yazoo City, from 9-10:30. A public memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, Yazoo City, at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 15. Officiating ministers for the services include Dr. Derek Thomas, assistant minister at First Presbyterian Church, Jackson and Reverend David Gilbert, pastor at Second Presbyterian Church, Yazoo City. Assisting minister will be Reverend Tim Muse, pastor at Brandon Presbyterian Church. Active pall bearers are Dr. Gregory Tharp, Robert Hutton, William Hutton, Thomas Flemming, Steven Flemming, and Forrest Flemming, III. Honorary pallbearers include Dr. Daniel Story, Dr. John Goolsby, and Dr. Perry Whites.

Memorials can be made to Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital in Jackson, MS or St. Jude's Children's Hospital in Memphis, TN.

Funeral arrangements will be handled by Wilson & Knight Funeral Home in Greenwood, MS.