August 12, 1949 – March 16, 2026
Cathy Naomi Sanford McCullars, age 76, passed away peacefully on March 16, 2026, at Bethany House, surrounded by her loving family. She left this world just as she wished—gently and at rest.
Cathy was born on August 12, 1949, in Evergreen, Alabama. At a very young age, her family moved to Opelika, where she was raised and later graduated from Opelika High School in 1968. She continued her education at what is now Southern Union State Community College, where she met the love of her life, Robert.
Cathy was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose greatest joy was her family. She shared 56 wonderful years of marriage with her husband, Robert McCullars.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jerry Lee Sanford and Cathleen Murphy Sanford; and her siblings, Mary Jean McDonald (James), Barbara Koester (Walter), Edna Hamm (Johnny), Swanee Thrift (Bobby), Jimmy Sanford, and Jerry Sanford.
She is survived by her loving husband, Robert McCullars; her children, Mary McMichael (Lee), Frances Barlow (Steve), Jessica Naomi Shipp (Troy), and Samantha Mickle (Marc); her siblings, Janice Sanford-Trotter and Joe Sanford (Gayle); her grandchildren, Ashlee Steinman (Jonathon), Austin McMichael, Lucy McMichael, Bethany McCullars, Carter Astorga (Quinn Dawicke), Ethan Astorga, Chloe Mickle, Kensie Mickle, Phillip Barlow, and Kate Barlow; and her great-granddaughter, Sadie Kate Steinman. She also leaves behind a host of beloved nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at Providence Baptist Church(East Campus), located at 2807 Lee Road 166, Opelika, Alabama 36804. Visitation will take place from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m., with the service beginning at 2:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Harper’s Hand in Cathy’s memory.
Harper’s Hand is a community-based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support, resources, and hope to individuals facing financial and life challenges. Their mission is rooted in compassion and service, with a focus on assisting individuals on disability, those in retirement, single mothers, and anyone in need within the Beauregard community.
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