Hugh's News & Commentary

Mrs. Sybil Rousseau Cates, 85, of Perth Amboy, NJ, died September 16, 2011.

Mrs. Cates was the daughter of Missionaries the Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Talmadge Henry Rousseau. Mrs. Cates was born in Franklin Springs, Georgia, then moved to Hong Kong, China, with her missionary parents and lived there until 1940.

From November 1946 until May 1951, Sybil served as a missionary in Hong Kong. After returning to the U.S. in 1951, she married Herman Princeton Cates and served with him in Hong Kong, China (PHC World Missions Department, now called World Missions Ministries) for 39 years.

Sybil is survived by husband, Princeton Cates; and children, Christopher Cates of Perth Amboy, NJ, and Kathy Cates Parham of Eatonton, GA; and sister, Evelyn Shealy of Franklin Springs, GA. Cathy has three boys, so Princeton and Sybil were blessed by three grand sons. There was a middle child born to Princeton and Sybil whose name is Mark. He was accidentally killed in an autombile accident on his way to classes at West Georgia College. He had attended Emmanuel College for two years.

Memorial Services were held at Pruitt Funeral Home in Royston, GA, on Saturday, September 24, 2011, at 4 p. m.

The graveside service followed at the Franklin Springs City Cemetery in Franklin Springs, GA.

[Editor's comment: If I don't get it right the first or second time, I will try the third time. You know the old saying about baseball--three strikes and you are out! It is my desire to give you trustworthy news that is accurate, fair, and balanced.

Whenever, I need to know something about English or people I will call Sue Carey Carr of Franklin Springs, GA. She is the wife of Raymond Carr a retired minister in the Georgia Conference. Sue filled me in on what I needed to know about Sybil that I did not know. She and Raymond were able to attend the the family visitation at Pruitt Funeral Home in Royston, and had opportunity to speak with Princeton Cates and his sister Ruby Cates.

Princeton was able to pay fitting tribute to the love of his life, Sybil, at the memorial service, and spoke of her great value to him as a missionary. She was fluent in Chinese and could speak the Cantonese language like the Chinese people in Hong Kong. Had it not been for her linguistic skills, keen insights, understanding of Chinese people, and her love for the people he would have never made it as a missionary. I am sure that every good husband will praise his wife for the help she has given to him.

At the close of the memorial service at the chapel at Pruitt Funeral Home, Princeton stopped the movement, raised his hands toward heaven and said out loud, "Let's praise the Lord." Sue Carr said, "Princeton prayed a magnificent prayer from his heart and there was not a dry eye in the chapel."

Although Princeton and Sybil had not lived in Franklin Springs for many years, there was a good congregation of people who came from far and near to pay tribute to Sybil and to bring comfort and love to this family in their time of grief and sorrow.

Sue told me, "Hugh, Princeton's parents gave him the right name. He is a prince."

Sue commended Steve Cofer for his presence and presentation at the memorial service. She said that it was apparent that he had done a lot of research to represent Bishop Doug Beacham and World Missions Ministries. It is comforting to know that our missionaries are not forgotten after they retire.

Let us all pray for Princeton, Christopher, Cathy and her three sons, Evelyn Rousseau Shealy, Ruby Cates, and Eleanor Deane Cates Rousseau.

I would like to add that the Rev. O. C. Collins, former pastor of the Newnan Pentecostal Holiness brought a great message and words of wisdom and comfort for Princeton and the family.]