Catherine Pientka

Catherine Elizabeth Simms Pientka of Petersburg passed away Wednesday November 13, 2013. She was born in Clinchco, Virginia on March 14, 1925 to the late Walter and Eva Simms. Catherine was the oldest of Walter and Eva's five children and she graduated from Clinchco High School in 1944. Catherine's two brothers, Jackie and Jimmie, preceded her in death. Her sister, Juanita Gray, continues to reside in Atlanta, Georgia while brother, Edward Simms Jr., makes his home in Norfolk, Virginia. Catherine was happily married to Command Sergeant Major Joe Pientka (US Army Ret.) for more than 63 years. As Joe served in the U.S. Army in Italy during World War II, at Fort Lee, Virginia, Taejon and Seoul, South Korea, Catherine raised two children, a son, Joe Jr., and a daughter, Mary (Sissy). Joe Pientka Jr., and wife Mary reside in Jacksonville, Florida and Catherine's daughter Mary, preceded her in death in 2005. While raising her children, Catherine also worked as a regional supervisor for My Maternity Stores of Richmond, Virginia where she maintained retail stores in seven states. Catherine retired in 1970, but she did not stay idle after retirement. Golf, dachshunds and family continued to be Catherine's focus for the remainder of her life. Catherine is survived by two grandsons and four great-grandchildren; grandson Joe Pientka III, and wife Melissa; two great-granddaughters; Jillian Marie Pientka and Madeleine Jolie Pientka; and a great- grandson, Ethan Sawyer Pientka all of Arlington, Virginia; a grandson John Alex Pientka; and a great- grandson John Lukas Pientka both of Scottsdale, Arizona. Catherine is also survived by a niece, Vickie Lee Frost of St. Paul, Virginia; a nephew, James Gray of Atlanta, Georgia; a nephew John Gray of Castlewood, Virginia and a nephew Gary Gray of Atlanta, Georgia. Catherine's funeral services will be private at Southlawn Memorial Park in Prince George, Virginia. Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Petersburg Chapel of E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes and Crematory 3935 S. Crater Road. Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.