Mrs. Catherine Jones Frederick

Obituary For Mrs. Catherine Jones Frederick

Funeral services for Mrs. Catherine J. Frederick, 84, of Flint, MI, and formally of Orangeburg, will be held 11:00am, Saturday, August 9, 2025, at New Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 1785 Amelia Street, Orangeburg, SC, with interment to follow at Belleville Memorial Garden, 2900 Belleville Road, Orangeburg.

Mrs. Catherine Frederick was born July 20, 1941, in Orangeburg, South Carolina, the daughter of Genevia Jones.

Catherine attended elementary and high school where she graduated from Wilkinson High School, “Class of 1958.” She enrolled at South Carolina State University and graduated in 1962. Catherine then enrolled at University of Arizona in the year 1964, then transferred to Western Michigan University and received her Master Degree in Counselling. After receiving her Master Degree, she enrolled at Michigan State University to further her studies to begin work on her PhD in Counselling.

Catherine was employed by several school districts. Beginning is Kingstree, SC, Greenville Coun-ty, SC, the Migrant Program in Kalamazoo, MI, Lansing, MI and finally in the Flint Community Schools, where she retired after 35 years of service. While serving in several Flint Community Schools she held numerous positions such as Union Negotiator to PAC Chair.

Catherine was a National Educator Associa-tion Delegate for 26 years and a Michigan Educator Association Retired Delegate for 6 years.

Catherine’s love life was unique. It began with a request for a raffle ticket for a week, if you were the winner. She was Junior at Wilkinson High School in Orangeburg, SC where she approached John “Sycamore” Frederick, a Senior at the same high school to participate. John, the easy going senior, said no! I pay for my lunch by the year. Catherine walked off; 2 minutes later, “Sycamore” was asking to bor-row 5 cents to get a carton of milk. From that moment “Sycamore’s” eyes lit up, Catherine had him. From that meeting, marriage (African wedding) took place. The union brought forth twin boys, Ivan & Sean. With no interruption, they had 53 years of blissful marriage. Catherine always demonstrated her ethnic background. She had an African Wedding in 1970. She would dress the part, defend others and purchase items and attend affairs.

Catherine was very involved in her community. She was President of Jack and Jill, served in the political arena, League of Women Voters, NAACP, Michigan State & South Carolina State Universities Alumni Association, member of the South Carolina State University Thomas E. Miller Society with a $100,000.00 donation, Year of 2024 and a Golden Life Time Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority In-corporated (62 Years) where she served as President of 2 terms.

Catherine loved her boys, Ivan & Sean. She kept them involved in community activities such as the Youth Group of the NAACP, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Jack & Jill. They also delivered the Flint Journal Newspaper, and they also participated in the Oman Temple No. & 72 Youth Group. Finally they were 15 years of age and a little time was left for football at Flint Southwestern High School.

Mrs. Catherine Frederick leaves to cherish her memory: husband, John “Sycamore” Frederick; 2 sons, Ivan (Yvette) Frederick and Sean (Alicia) Frederick; grandchildren, India Frederick, Zaire Frederick, and Terell Frederick; Other relatives and in-laws, Rhonda and Daimon Washington, Carrie Bell Baxter, James Washington, Derrick Washington, Sgt. Col. Timothy and Robin Washington, Sherry and Shannon Miller Sr., Jerry Baxter, Johnnie Baxter, Julius and Estell Frederick, Julius Clay Frederick and Wendy F. Johnson; a host of friends including special friends, Anna Austin, Barbara Bracey, Jackie Johnson, Arlene Young, Alberta Jarvis, Doris Johnson Felder, Mary Scott, Bobbie Ewing Myra Hughes, Evia Z. Thomas, Shellie Stroman, Rev. Sylvester Miller, Frand and Mary Kimes, Angelia Jackson, Willie J. and Janie Stokes, James Franklin, Fred White, Mark Miller, Samuel Cox, Milton Gary, Lavern Matthew, Debra Gill Mason, Edell Green, Monty Goodwin, Mae Issac, Anna Austin and Patrice Leonard.
The family would like to express special thanks to Pastor Dr. Rabon Turner and Grace Emmanuel Baptist Church.

Mrs. Frederick passed away Thursday, July 24, 2025, at her residence.

Public viewing will be held Friday, August 8, 2025, from 1-6pm.

Family and friends may call Simmons Funeral Home and Crematory of Orangeburg.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.simmonsfuneralhome.com

Live Stream

Download funeral program