Miss. Catherine Bryan Sloan

Catherine Bryan Sloan of Burlington, native of Sampson County, died on August 9, 2013, at Twin Lakes Center in Burlington, NC where she had resided since 2004. She was born on September 8, 1925, to David Dickson Sloan and Beulah Cobb Sloan. Following her father's death in 1928, she came to live with her grandparents, William and Carrie Moore Sloan, and her aunt, Anabel Sloan, in the Sloan ancestral home, Oakland, near Garland, NC. After graduating from Garland High School, she attended Peace College, graduating in 1942 with an Associate Arts degree. She then matriculated at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and was awarded a Bachelor's degree in Journalism in 1944. She was a loyal supporter of UNC and took pride in being a lifetime member of the Alumni Association. Miss Sloan pursued graduate study at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio and in 1979 she successfully completed her Master's study at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, with a major in Media. Miss Sloan was employed at WFMY-TV in Greensboro, NC, as Director of Research. While there, she was the author of documentaries targeting North Carolina areas of interest and concern. As early as the 1970's she wrote and produced a series of television programs highlighting the serious dropout situation in NC schools. She also was influential in bringing media and student creativity together by actively participating at WFMY-TV in the Scholastic Art Awards that earned a School Bell Award for the station.Retiring in 1990 to the family home in Garland NC, she quickly became a contributing and revitalizing member of the local Rotary Club. In the span of two years, under her presidency, the club funded the creation/restoration of the town's central acreage. Sparse land bordering the railroad in the center of the town was transformed into a landscaped park, with benches, a large US flag and a monument commemorating all Sampson County citizens who served their country in the armed services. Additionally, Miss Sloan led a town renewal project in refurbishing a center for senior citizens and updating a baseball field for local recreational opportunities.Under her guidance, funding was secured annually by the Garland Rotary Club to underwrite scholarships to Bladen County Community College and Sampson County Community College. Each year a graduating senior student is chosen from each county and awarded a scholarship to the individual's community college.On the occasion of the first annual Garland Rotary Parade and Fair, organized after her return to Garland, she was instrumental in convincing the Garland Shirt Factory (a local factory that manufactures Brooks Brothers shirts) to have a "seconds sale" in connection with the occasion. From this meager beginning , the idea of selling "Garland shirts" has grown into a thriving Brooks Brothers Outlet, visited by thousands of people from all over the state, seeking quality at affordable prices. The store was featured in the Raleigh News and Observer as "the place for shoppers in the know."Known and respected for her unyielding values and indefatigable character, Miss Sloan was a contributing member of the Democratic Party, in both time and money, for her entire adult life. In Greensboro she served many years as precinct chair and volunteered numerous hours to bring issues of interest before the public. Since retirement to Garland and continuing through her stay at Twin Lakes Center in Burlington she has been diligent in maintaining a working interest in and support of state and national affairs. A lifelong Presbyterian, Miss Sloan supported and upgraded efforts to sustain the viability of South River Presbyterian Church. Highland Scots of Clan Urquart, the Cromartie branch, founded this church in the mid-1700's. Marriages among Cromarties, Sloans, and Dicksons formed the nucleus of the congregation.She served as Chair of the South River Presbyterian Church trustees. To ensure maintenance of the building's well-being, she oversaw upkeep of the structure, arranging needed repairs to the building. Following the placing of the church on the National Register of Historic Buildings, Miss Sloan searched out craftsmen possessing skills and expertise in historic reconstruction to restore or recreate building accessories, such as twelve foot exterior blinds, and she created the South River Presbyterian Church Fund to ensure continuing church maintenance.Miss Sloan was a strong environmentalist, possessing a deep love and respect for nature. She was a self-appointed guardian of South River and lands adjoining it in lower Sampson County. When CP&L announced plans to build a nuclear power plant on South River, she organized the South River Association. This organization, comprised of landowners with property bordering the river, successfully defeated CP&L's plans. To ensure perpetuity of the visual beauty of South River for future generations, she contributed easements to the Nature Conservancy of NC of over 25 acres of her river-bordering land as well as donating an island that lies in the middle of the river. Deeply ingrained character traits were impetuses to look beyond her own span of life. Knowing that the black water eco-systems of eastern North Carolina contain the oldest trees (bald water cypresses) east of the Mississippi River as well as flora unique to the area (venus fly trap, pitcher plant, etc.), she not only "talked the talk but walked the walk." Like many North Carolinians she cherished and protected land that was in the family for many years, in her case over 225 years. However, she also felt a deep commitment to preserving the natural splendor of the property for those who are to come in the future. In this, as in so many ways, she was a visionary of the first rank.Awards received by Miss Sloan were:Outstanding Alumna Award by Peace College in 2008Award of Merit by the Conservation Council of North Carolina Paul Harris Fellow Award by the Garland Rotary ClubAward for Meritorious Service by the Coastal Conservancy of North CarolinaProfessional Organizations to which she belonged, included:Conservation Council of North Carolina –President and Board MemberSampson County Community College – Educational Scholarship BoardBladen County Community College – Educational Scholarship BoardNature Conservancy of North Carolina – Board MemberSouth River Association - PresidentSouth River Presbyterian Church – Chairman/ Board of TrusteesGarland Rotary Club – President, Vice-President, Program Chair, Chair of Annual Fair and Parade, Chair of Scholarship CommitteeKnown affectionately by her family as "Big Kacky," she was greatly loved and respected and will be sorely missed. In addition to her Sloan grandparents and aunt, Anabel Sloan, she was predeceased by her beloved brother, 2nd Lt. David Dickson Sloan, Jr., WWII pilot who died in action over China. Other survivors include one sister, Mary Murphy Griffin of Bethesda, MD and one half-sister, Diana Lea Sowards of Ft. Wayne, IN, three nieces and one nephew. Special cousins include Dr. Jo Ann C. Bowman of Sanford, NC , Dr. Catherine Bryan Bowman (Theodore Davis) and sons Ted, III, and Joseph of Atlanta; Joseph O. Bowman, III (Kara) and son Dickson, also of Atlanta; and Bryan Bowman Bumgarner (Joseph) of Cary. Many other family members and friends mourn her passing.The family remembers with gratitude the many kindnesses of Bob Prestage of Clayton, NC and the loving support received by Miss Sloan from her friend Betty Starnes of Burlington. Appreciation also is expressed to the staff at Twin Lakes Center and Hospice of Alamance County for their professional and compassionate care. A Memorial services will be conducted on Saturday, August 24, at 3:00 p.m., at the old family church, South River Presbyterian Church. It is located in Bladen County, on the N.E side of N.C. 210, 1.7 miles southeast of junction with 701, Memorials may be sent to the NC Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, 334 Blackwell Street, Suite 300, Durham, NC 27701.

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