Catherine Louise Countiss of Mechanicsville, Md. transitioned February 2, 2022.

Catherine Louise (Lee) Countiss, daughter of the late Paul and Mamie Thompson and Emma Victoria Lee Goldring, was born on April 15, 1945 in La Plata, Maryland. She gained her wings on February 2, 2022, at George Washington University Hospital, Washington, DC.

Catherine was the oldest of 13 children and was affectionately known as "Kitty" by her family and close friends. She grew up in Charles County Maryland before marrying her husband of 59 years, Edward and relocating to St. Mary's County Maryland where she would live the remainder of her life.

Catherine worked for the State of Maryland, as the Director of the St. Mary's County Board of Elections and for 19 years ran all the primary and general elections for the County. Catherine was and remains the first and only person of color to hold this vital position from which she retired in 2007. After retirement, she became a fulltime daycare provider for her grandchildren and great grandchildren and spent her days surrounding them in love and lessons.

Catherine will always be remembered for her love of God and family, both whom she loved loyally, fiercely and unapologetically. Catherine was a warm, caring and nurturing woman that treated everyone who crossed her doorstep like they were part of the family. She was passionate about her plants and gardening; with a green thumb she could bring any plant back to life. She was an excellent cook and loved to host dinners and parties. Over the years she learned to sew, make ceramics and crotchet. She would often crotchet blankets as gifts for the new babies arriving in the family. Over the years she would become the family historian and traced the Lee, Bond, Jackson and Countiss family trees back hundreds of years.

In addition to her parents, Catherine was also preceded in death by her brothers, Charles Leroy Lee, Sylvester Thomas Goldring and sister, Shirley Yvonne Goldring.

Catherine leaves to cherish her memories her husband William Edward, three sons; Charles, David and Daniel Countiss, two daughters; Candace (Chris) Lindsay and Denise (George) Mitchell, eight grandchildren; DeAndre Countiss, LaQuesha Countiss, Darren Countiss, Rinyia Countiss, Marcus Countiss, Dennis Countiss, Jasmine Mitchell and Cassidy Lindsay, three great grandchildren; Caiden Countiss, Wyatt Countiss and Dru Countiss, four sisters; Victoria (Lonnie) Smith, Linda (Henry) Hill, Delores (Sidney) Jetton and Angela Goldring, five brothers; Larry, John (Edwin), Mike, Jerry and Tony (Kim) Goldring, Aunt Inez Cook and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.

Friends may visit with the family Monday, February 14 from 10 am until time of service at 11 am at Gospel Tabernacle of Prayer, Inc. 24516 Budds Creek Road Mechanicsville, Md. 20624. Interment to immediately follow at Queen of Peace, Mechanicsville, Md.