Mrs. Catrina Joy Dunlap, age 50, was born on May 3, 1974, in Cleveland, Ohio, and passed away on October 5, 2024, in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Catrina was the beloved daughter of the late Bernice “Jennie” Jackson and Curtis Banks, Sr. Catrina loved the Lord and grew up attending church with her family. She wasContinue Reading
Mrs. Catrina Joy Dunlap, age 50, was born on May 3, 1974, in Cleveland, Ohio, and passed away on October 5, 2024, in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Catrina was the beloved daughter of the late Bernice “Jennie” Jackson and Curtis Banks, Sr. Catrina loved the Lord and grew up attending church with her family. She was baptized at Our Redeemer Baptist Church. Known affectionately by her family as “Tootie” or “Trina,” Catrina was raised in a loving and supportive environment. She cherished spending time with her grandmothers, Bernice Swanson and Willie Mae Banks, as well as her late grandfather William Banks Sr. Surrounded by the love of her parents, grandparents, cousins, and 13 aunts and uncles. Catrina enjoyed a strong sense of family. As the eldest sibling, she was adored by her brothers and sisters, who always looked up to their big sister, Trina.
Catrina attended school in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and graduated from Martin Luther King Jr. Law and Public Service High School in 1992. She was a trailblazer, being one of the first students in Cleveland to participate in the College Credit Plus Program, which allowed her to earn college and high school credits simultaneously at Notre Dame College of Ohio. She graduated cum laude in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. Never one to stop learning, Catrina later earned her MBA from Capella University in 2006.
Catrina was a dedicated chemist for over 26 years, working in various states including Ohio, Texas, Tennessee, and Minnesota. In Minnesota, she worked at Valspar, which later became Sherwin Williams, before starting a new chapter as a Technical Manager for IGP Powder Coating in South Carolina. Throughout her career, she contributed to several teams that earned patents for powder coatings from the United States Patent Office—a testament to her brilliance and commitment to the field of science.
Though Catrina excelled in her professional life, her greatest joy came from being a wife and mother. She and Jermaine Dunlap married on September 11, 2001, and shared a deep, loving bond for over two decades. Jermaine often called Trina his “best friend,” a reflection of the incredible partnership they shared. Together, they delighted in family life, with their daughter, Teri Jewell, son Marsalis Dunlap and their grandchildren being the heart of their world.
As a mother, Catrina practiced what could be called “gentle parenting,” long before it became widely known. When Teri was born on October 23, 1996, Catrina was immediately smitten with her baby girl, fiercely protective and showering her with love. She took pride in everything Teri did, always being her biggest supporter. The two shared a special, unbreakable bond, often spending time crafting, painting, and simply enjoying each other’s company. Catrina’s love grew even more when she became a grandmother to Callie, Camden, Caleah and Mila. She adored spoiling her grandchildren with toys and shopping trips and loved watching them grow, learn, and explore the world. Some of her most cherished memories were made in their company. Catrina was preceded in death by her mother, Bernice “Jennie” Jackson; her grandmother, Bernice Swanson, her grandfather, William Banks Sr., her stepfather, George Jackson; her sister, Jayla Hawkins; her uncles, Robert Jackson and Clifford Jackson, and her nieces, Abe’bre’anna Jackson and Maria Jackson. She leaves behind her loving husband, Jermaine Dunlap; her daughter, Teri Harris; her stepson, Marsalis Dunlap; her father, Curtis Banks, Sr. (Elaine), her grandmother, Willie Mae Banks; her brothers, George Jackson, Curtis Banks, Jr. (Stephanie), and Matthew Banks; her sisters, Bernice “Champagne” Jackson, Robyn Jackson, Alexis Jackson, Breana Jackson, and Tiffany Gantt (DeShane); Brother-in-law, Phillip Hawkins, her grandchildren, Callie Robertson, Camden Harris, Caleah Harris, and Mila Dunlap. Catrina is also survived by 30 nieces and nephews, 1 great-nephew, and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Catrina’s warmth, love, and joyful spirit will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. She has now joined her loved ones in the arms of our Heavenly Father, leaving behind a legacy of love and faith that will live on in the hearts.
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