Obituary – Cathy A. Dye

Cathy Ann Dye, 74, of Licking, Mo., passed away August 2, 2026, with her husband at her side.

Cathy was born on February 21, 1952, in Craddock, Mo., to Bill Black and Millie Jean (Bauer) Black, as the second of four children. She was united in marriage to Earl Dye on November 10, 1987. They spent 38 wonderful years together. She was a beloved wife, daughter, sister, aunt, sister-in-law and friend whose care and love were felt by all of those around her. Cathy grew up in Big Piney and Licking, Mo., and graduated from Licking High School in 1969. She moved to Springfield, Mo., and took a job with Bell Telephone as an operator, later moving to Washington State and then California where she began her career in accounting. When her parents’ health started getting bad, she retired and moved back to Missouri to be closer to them. Her greatest joys in retirement were reading old mystery novels and being “Aunt Cathy” to her great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Millie Black.

She is survived by her husband of the home, Earl Dye; older sister Brenda Maxwell and husband Lonnie, of Oklahoma; younger brother Jim and wife Betsy; younger brother Matt and wife Virginia Ellen; nephews David and Clay Black; great-nephews Cylas and Sully Black; and great-niece Tori Black, all of Licking. She is also survived by nephew David Maxwell and family, of Oklahoma; great-nephew Alex Black, of Florida; and bonus great-niece Tesla Morrison, of Mountain Grove, Mo.

Cathy will be remembered by all who knew her for her kindness, compassion and love for life. She was baptized at the Licking Church of Christ as a teenager and faithfully followed the Lord the rest of her days.

Her wishes were for a private memorial service with her family at the Black Cemetery at a later date.