Tammy Gayle Catchings

Tammy Gayle Catchings, 49 of Corona, California passed away at 6:49 PM on Friday, May 25th, 2018 at Loma Linda University Medical Center in Loma Linda, California. Tammy was born in Austin, Texas on May 12th of 1969 and there began a most unique, strong life, filled with physical challenges and victories, most of which were centered around hospitals and Doctors and always smiles and laughter and "I love you's". As Tammy struggled through many major surgical procedures, (over 80 in her entire lifetime) she always came out of the surgery with a smile on her face and usually 2 or 3 new friends that she had met immediately before or after surgery. Tammy was always such a happy, loving person who never had a bad word to say about anyone. She touched the lives of everyone she met, within minutes of meeting you she would be asking you "When is your birthday?" and "How old are you?" And this would be information that she would file away in her memory banks [cell phones really helped in that effort] and on your next birthday, and every birthday thereafter, you would receive a call from her with birthday wishes, usually at midnight the night before! In between the traumas, Tammy lived a full life, filled with music and football and friends and family. Living in Dallas for the first part of her life, she loved to tell people about having Quarterback Don Meredith of the Dallas Cowboys spend the evening with her and her family. A few years later she was proud to have had the opportunity to play "Wheelchair Football" with Dallas Cowboy Quarterback Roger Staubach. In California, after another "near death" experience Tammy was able to get totally rehabbed in time to go to a concert, where she was a special back stage guest of Billy Ray Cyrus and his band where he sang "Achy Breaky Heart" especially to Tammy, who had just had a battle with some heart problems at the Loma Linda University Medical Center Cardiac Institute. Thanks to all of the wonderful Doctors and Nurses at LLUMC she was able to attend the Back Stage Concert, Special VIP Party with two nurses from LLUMC and have the time of her life. She loved life, she loved people, she loved her friends from high school and no matter what challenges she might endure with braces, crutches, canes or wheelchairs, she would always figure out a way to dance to the music…………now she is dancing with the angels and all of that equipment that held her back is gone! Our dear, sweet daughter, step-sister, sister-in-law, niece, aunt, friend, we will always carry your memory in our hearts! Tammy is survived by her Mom and Dad, Dallas and Larry Tuff of Corona, her Step Mom, Barbara Catchings of Dallas, Texas and is preceded in death by her Father, John Catchings of Dallas, Texas and her paternal Grandmother, Bertie Catchings, also of Dallas, Texas. She is also preceded in death by her Maternal Grandparents, Henry and Estella Becker of Pflugerville, Texas. She is survived by four step brothers, Aaron Tuff of Murrieta, Ryan Tuff of Hawaii, Christopher Gleaves of Austin, Texas, Steven Gleaves of Dallas, Texas and one step sister Amie Gleaves of Dallas, Texas and two sister in law's Elle Tuff of Murrieta and Laura Gleaves of Austin, Texas. She is also survived by three aunts Elvira Becker of Cedar Park, Texas, Nathzele Pfluger of Austin, Texas and Marilyn Joyce Becker of Pflugerville, Texas and many nieces and nephews. "Celebration of Life Services" will be held at Thomas Miller Mortuary, 1118 East Sixth Street, Corona, CA on Sunday, June 10, 2018 at 1:00 P.M. with a reception following the services. Interment service will be held on Tuesday, June 12, 2018 at 12:30 P.M. at the Riverside National Cemetery 22495 Van Buren Boulevard, Riverside, CA Service Thomas Miller Mortuary 1118 East Sixth Street Corona, CA 92879 (951) 737-3244 | Sunday 6/10, 1:00 pm Cemetery Riverside National Cemetery Staging Area #3 Tuesday 6/12, 12:30 pm