Catherine Tester

Mrs. Catherine Edmisten Tester, 70, of Rush Branch Road, Sugar Grove, the Bethel community, passed away Saturday afternoon, November 22, 2025 at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem. Born October 27, 1955 in Watauga County, she was a daughter of Baker and Leta Mae Dishman Edmisten.

Catherine loved, treasured and always supported her family, and rarely missed any sports activities that her grandchildren participated in. She was a Charter member of Calvary Missionary Baptist Church where she cherished her church family, her Sunday School Class and teaching Bible School. She retired after 30 years from the Watauga County Health as the Deputy Registrar. After retirement, she and her husband, L. D. constructed a greenhouse they named Catherines’ Plants and Flowers to sell flowers and vegetables to the public.

Catherine is survived by her husband, L. D. Tester; son, Brian Tester and wife, Lindsey, and daughter, Myra Harper and husband, Jeff, all of Boone; sister, Marilyn Stanley and husband Mike, of Vilas and brother, John Edmisten and wife Sybil, of Sugar Grove; three grandchildren, Avery, Eliza Madison and Ellington Tester; and special friend, Shirley Ward.

Funeral services for Catherine Tester will be conducted Wednesday afternoon November 26, 2025 at 2 o’clock at Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, officiated by Pastor Jeremy Hull, Rev. Daniel Lawrence and Rev. Rev. Bradley Swift. The family will receive friends from 12:30 until 2 o’clock, prior to services, at the church. Graveside services will follow in the Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials may be made to the Calvary Baptist Church Youth Ministry, in care of Tom Lawrence, 774 John Shell Road, Sugar Grove, NC 28679.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Tester family.

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