Obituary of Jacquelynn Kay Cates

Jacquelynn Kay Cates, 77 years of spreading God’s glory on earth, went to be with her Lord and Savior August 17, 2020 from the home of her children, grandchildren and herself in Chapin, South Carolina. She was born on March 16, 1943 in Holdenville, Oklahoma to William and Loraine (Fowler) Marks and Loved by Stepdad Frank Leikta. Jacque was a woman of many talents! An artist, a preacher, teacher, Mom, and most importantly to her Grammie! She graduated from Redondo Union High School in Redondo beach, CA in 1961. She went on to follow her passion of Art at Oklahoma University. She loved art and photography and for many years worked in the world of graphic design.

She was married to Gene Hill and had a son Clinton Hill. After their divorce she later married George Blackwell and they had a daughter Lisa. In the early 70’s she was a single Mom, raising 2 young children. It was at this time, that she rededicated her life to the Lord Jesus Christ and began a true-life legacy journey! She began a life of pouring into women’s ministry and children’s ministry! Jacque had a gift with children! She was often called the “Child Whisperer” with her way with children that was such a blessing to so many! She also used her art and crafting talents to help in the churches Christmas productions and plays with painting the back drops and making costumes.

She moved her family from Norman, OK. to Jacksonville Beach, FL in 1980. She loved the beach and the ocean! She would often walk on the beach and pray! She said it was a place she felt close to God. She allowed her master snowman making skills from her days growing up in Oklahoma to roll into mastering sandcastle making while living in Florida. She visited as many beaches as she could in her life of building sandcastles!

She was a hard worker, often working multiple jobs to raise her children. People say she was a Godly woman of tenacity and strength. Jacque believed that she could do all things through Christ who strengthened her! Philippians 4:13. Jacque truly accomplished many great things in her life through multiple obstacles!

While raising 2 children in Jax. Beach, FL. She became involved in Women’s Aglow. Since first joining Algow she served on a board and contributed to Women’s Aglow at every place she lived. She shared her testimony through speaking at women’s conferences throughout her life, she was able to bless many women and Mom’s with her story of God’s blessings in her life!

In 1990 she returned to Oklahoma. She became deeply involved in the children’s ministry and women’s ministry at New Life Church in Wewoka, OK.  There were many children that grew up with Ms. Jacque, as they called her. She was a blessing to many of her friends and family in the Wewoka, OK area. Jacque’s friends and family can give witness to her heart of servitude and giving.

While living in Holdenville, OK., where Jacque was originally from, she had a life changing accident that kept her from working full-time. She poured herself into ministry even further and she would tell you that it was God’s plan for her to pour blessings into more children!

Shortly after this time she went to live with her daughter Lisa. God would soon reveal a new role for her to carry out her blessings by pouring into her 2 grandchildren Calvin and Reese.  Jacque and Lisa’s Journey would lead them to settle in Chapin SC on Lake Murray with Lisa’s husband Greg along with Lisa and Greg’s son Calvin and daughter Reese. To those that loved her and knew her as “Grammie Jacque”, they witnessed her love and dedication for children’s ministry at Christian Life church where she once again taught children and helped with the backdrops of the church’s productions. Jacque played a key role in bringing the Good News Club to the local Elementary schools. She volunteered at Chapin Elementary and Seven Oaks Elementary where Calvin and Reese attended. She was active in her grandchildren’s lives and the community until she had a 3rd stroke in March of 2019. At that time, she began to “really retire”. When this happened, Jacque’s tenacity and her strong will showed through! She was an independent woman and her stubbornness showed when she was attempting to bounce back to her independent life! She was bound and determined to drive again! She would sometimes sneak out like a teenager even when we hid her keys! We all laugh about how bound and determine she could be!  

She served with the Vive Church in Chapin the last few years of her life pouring into the Children and Women of her church. They were also dedicated to her and would pick her up from home since she was not driving, for her to continue her blessing to others.

She loved Christmas and the spirit of giving! She was proud of her nickname “Santa Mom” and later “Santa Grammie”! She collected Santa Clauses from all over the world. She called each of them a blessing from God. The family tradition was to celebrate Christmas Eve at the “Grammie pad” Her tradition of socks and underwear every Christmas was passed down to her from her mother Lorraine Leikta.

Until the moment that her spirit left this earth on Aug 18th, she was praising the Lord. She was waiting on a ride to go to a bible study and God called his good and faithful servant and I know God hugged her and gave her thanks for her faithfulness.

She was not one to need a title to feel important, but she held many titles in many people’s lives: She was a Preacher, teacher, a speaker, prayer warrior, children church servant, Mom, a sister, an artist, a crafter, a poet, a painter, a writer, a researcher, Grammie, Santa Mom, patriot, worshiper of God, caregiver, spiritual warrior, A light in darkness to so many……

A best friend to many, but the most important titles to her was Grammie and a lover of her Lord Jesus Christ!

Jacquelynn is survived by: Daughter and Son-in-law, Lisa and Greg Harris, Grandson Calvin Harris, Granddaughter Reese Harris of Chapin, SC, her son Clinton Hill of Oklahoma City, OK, her Grandson’s of Tennessee Chip and Casey Hill and Joshua, her great grandchildren-Mason, Malachi, Cyrus, Hailyn, Caidyn and Elijiah. Her Brother Bill Marks, Sister Sheila Leikta of Holdenville, OK and many nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by: her parents, William and Loraine (Fowler) Marks and Step-Dad Frank Leikta, and her sister Mary Ann Whitmore. 

The family will hold a Celebration of her Life and Legacy Saturday August 29th, 2020 at 10AM at Christian Life Church at 2700 Bush River Road, Columbia, SC 29210. This special event will also be on Facebook live for those unable to travel:

https://www.facebook.com/lisareneeharris and tag Jacque Cates at https://www.facebook.com/jacque.cates

You may also leave your memories and tributes on her Facebook page. Her family will be putting a book together of these tributes to remember her, along with her artwork and poems. COVID SAFETY MEASURES WILL BE IN PLACE FOR THE IN-PERSON SERVICES.

In lieu of flowers please give to honor Jacque’s two favorite causes that she contributed to throughout her life 

https://www.gofundme.com/f/legacy-of-jacque-cates-to-celebrate-her-life

Family and friends may sign the online guest book at https://www.southcarolinacremation.com