Jerris L. Cates-Booker

JERRIS LEOLA CATES BOOKER, youngest daughter of the late Willie and Luvenia (Evans) Cates, was born August 21, 1962, in Baltimore, Maryland. She was called to be with Lord on May 9, 2016, after lengthy illness, Her sister, Joyce Cates Vaughan, preceded her in death in January 2016. She was married to Robert Booker and there were no children from this union,. Frisky and Sasha, her dogs, were the other loves of her life. She treated them just like children. She was a member of Knox Presbyterian Church since birth and sang with the Graham Gospelettes & Tones of Faith (female choir); she also served as a Junior Usher, and was a member of the Youth Group. Jerris was educated in the Baltimore City Public School System, and graduated from Paul Laurence Dunbar High School (1980) and Howard University (1984) where she majored in music and singing. Hugh Carey, her former high school teacher and mentor, helped in developing her classical soprano operatic voice. She further fine – tuned her singing skills at the Peabody Conservatory of Music. Jerris sang in Baltimore Opera/Lyric Opera Baltimore Chorus for over 20 years and was a valued member of the education/outreach department as well James Harp, founding director of Lyric Opera Baltimore stated, “We will remember her beautiful smile, her fierce fashion sense, and above all that gorgeous, opulent soprano voice. She was most known for her portrayal as Bess, in the opera “Porgy and Bess”. She toured with Peter Klein and the Living Arts productions from 1988 – 2005 throughout the world and United States. She always wanted to take her nieces and nephews on tour with her, but never had the opportunity. One year she brought them outfits from Japan and they surprised her and wore the outfits for Easter. She was employed at Big Steaks (Ruth Chris) as an Administrative Assistant since the 2000's Many thanks to Big Steaks, who always allowed her to pursue her musical endeavors. She often sang at both Madison Avenue and Lochearn Presbyterian Churches as a soloist. She had a love for family and friends, and was always ready for family get-together. We all knew she was bringing the sauerkraut for Thanksgiving and a garden salad at all other time, One of her finest family moments was to embrace her youngest great-niece Savannah. Jerris leaves to cherish her life: brothers, Willie (Arlene) and Quinton (Collen); aunts: Viola Evans and Margaret Evans; nephews, Derrick Vaughan (Deborah Poupolo), Troy Cates (Darice), Wesley Vaughan (Lisa); nieces, Ebony Cates Brown (Antoino) and Tiffney Chen (Michael); devoted friends, Shelton Goins, Dorothy “Dot” Glisson, Eddie Satterfield and Valerie Lewis; along with a host of other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Jerris L. Cates-Booker

August 21, 1962 - May 9, 2016