Catharine Burns Liles

Catharine Burns Liles, 79, of Macon, Georgia, passed away Monday, November 27, 2023.  The family will greet friends from 5PM to 7PM Thursday, November 30, 2023, at Hart’s Mortuary on Cherry Street.  A memorial service will be held Friday, December 1, 2023, at 1PM at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, with the Reverend Bryan Hinson officiating.  Burial will follow the service at Riverside Cemetery.

Daughter of the late James Derry Burns and Hazel Holmes Burns, Catharine was born September 11, 1944, in Macon. She attended Alexander IV Elementary and A.L. Miller High School. Catharine then completed her high school studies at Stratford Academy. She graduated magna cum laude from Wesleyan College with a degree in Fine Arts in 1979, studied abroad in Cortona, Italy in 1984 with the University of Georgia, working on her Masters of Liberal Studies, which she completed at Mercer University in 1989.

Catharine was known for her love of arts, bringing beauty into the world through her sculptures and stunning watercolor and oil paintings.

Her artwork appears in numerous catalogues and is in many prominent corporate and private collections throughout the Southeast and Europe. Liles was the cover artist for 1988-89 Southern Bell Macon Telephone Directory; and was also artist for the 1996 Cherry Blossom Festival’s official fine Art print. Catharine is listed in Who’s Who in American Art, 20th edition.

During the years from 1980-1994 when Liles ran her two businesses, one, then the other received the “Best in Show Award” from the Ad Club of Central Georgia; and Liles & Associates received the Gold Award in the 1989 Strathmore Competition.

Outside of the many awards and recognitions, Catharine has received for her artistic career, she was presented with the Alumni Service Award from Stratford Academy in 1989 and the Alumnae Award for Distinguished Achievement form Wesleyan College in 1991.

Catharine’s Volunteer resume is extensive.  Her passions for Women, the Arts, Business, her Church, and her Alma Maters have remained at the forefront of her volunteer service over the decades.  Catharine served on the Board of the Museum of Arts and Sciences for many years including a term as President of that Board in 1991.

Catharine is a life-long member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. She served 3 terms on the Vestry and has held numerous other volunteer positions including Diocesan volunteer positions as well.

As a true entrepreneur, Liles also received the Business Owner Award of the Year from the Greater Macon Women Business Owners.

Amidst this busy and active life, Liles also has had many professional affiliations. She was one of the first women on the Board of Directors of the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis Club of Macon, and served on the Middle Georgia Military Affairs Committee. She is a graduate of Leadership Macon as Well as Leadership Georgia.

Catharine will be lovingly remembered by her daughters, Mary Parker Liles (Mark Yates), of Washington, North Carolina, Rebecca Grist (Joel), of Macon, Georgia, Catharine Watkins (Nat), of Macon, Georgia; grandchildren: Hali McClain Johnson, Jeremiah Liles Johnson, Mary Blain Grist, Joel Marion “Jack” Grist, and Mary Cate Sample; sister, Hazel Struby (Neil), of Gray, Georgia; and brother, Derry Burns (Juliette), of Macon, Georgia.

In addition to her parents, Catharine was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Marion “Brother” Liles, Jr.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 753 College Street, Macon, GA 31201; or Wesleyan College, Fine Arts Department, 4760 Forsyth Road, Macon, GA 31210.

Please visit www.hartsmort.com to express condolences.

Hart’s on Cherry Street, Hart's Mortuary and Cremation Center, 765 Cherry Street, Macon, GA 31201 has charge of the arrangements.

St. Paul's Episcopal Church
753 College Street, Macon GA 31201
Web: https://www.stpaulsmacon.org/

Wesleyan College
4760 Forsyth Rd, Macon GA 31210