Shirley Cate Saxton

Shirley Cate Saxton, 88, passed away on April 5, 2026, leaving a legacy as resonant as the music she loved. Born in Newport, Tennessee, in 1937 to Oscar and Willie Cate Wilds, Shirley’s life was defined by a deep devotion to her heritage, her music, and her family.

Rarely seen without a ukulele or guitar nearby, Shirley found her greatest joy in song. Her voice was the heartbeat of countless family afternoons, turning simple gatherings into lasting musical memories. That same love for her roots fueled a lifelong passion for genealogy; as the family’s keeper of records, she meticulously traced the Wilds and Cate lineages, ensuring every ancestor’s story was preserved.

Shirley’s definition of family went far beyond bloodlines. She possessed a legendary ability to make every friend feel like kin, and her home was always open to anyone in need of a song or a seat at her table.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar and Willie Cate Wilds; her beloved husband, Richard Saxton; her sister, Elizabeth "Tootsie" (Cate) Lomas; and her brothers, Charles "Charley" Thomas Cate, William "Bill" Cate, Robert H. Cate, and Victor E. Cate.

She was the cherished mother of Michael and Patrick Hill, born during her marriage to Ronnie Hill. Shirley is survived by her sons, Michael and Patrick; her grandchildren, Sara Hill, Stevie Hill, Emily Gettys, and Reece Hill; and her great-grandchildren, Trae Roberts, Aden Roberts, Kelcey Hill, Maddux Hill, Maci Hill, Cooper Whitaker, Essie Gettys, McCoy Gettys, and Baron Gettys. She is also survived by her great-great-grandchild, Dempsey Diamond, and a wide community of friends who became family.

A celebration of Shirley’s life will be held at her home on Sunday, April 19, 2026, at 5:00 PM.