Catherine Via

Catherine W. Via, 88, of Urbanna went to be with her Heavenly Father on Friday, June 16, 2017, after a long battle with Dementia. She was the daughter of the late Avary L. and Dora Parks Payne. Catherine was born on Tangier Island, Virginia on February 17, 1929. Her family left the island after the storm of 1933 and moved to Urbanna, but her love for her Tangier roots never faded. She was known by her grandchildren as “Nano”, and many people who knew her called her that because of the love she showed to anyone she met. Her beautiful smile warmed the hearts of all. She was a very active member of Urbanna United Methodist Church until her health began to decline. Her love for her Lord and family were the top priorities of her life. After her father’s death, Catherine and her sister, Beatrice, continued as co-owners and operators of Payne’s Crab House until a few years ago when Beatrice was diagnosed with cancer. They were known as the “water women of the Chesapeake Bay” and were featured in Southern Living magazine and were interviewed in several articles of other Chesapeake Bay magazines. They appeared on television sharing their love for their work on the water. The sisters served as Co-Captains of the Urbanna Oyster Festival, and Catherine was chosen to be the Grand Marshal of the Urbanna Christmas Parade a few years ago. She is predeceased by her husband, James L. Via, one sister, Beatrice Taylor, and three brothers, Melvin Payne, Edward Payne, and Cary Payne, all of Urbanna. She is survived by her four sons: Thomas Lee Walton (Sandra), Donald H. Walton (Connie), Tony L. Walton (Peggy), and Richard N. Walton (Wanda). Her nine grandchildren are Lee Walton (Deborah), Sherrie Walton, and Scott Walton (Jessica); Garrett Walton (Ashley) and Catherine Walton; Brian Walton (Angela) and Kristy Sachs (Steve); Kendall Griffin (Josh) and Whitney Walton. Her ten great-grandchildren are Ashley Walton, Sarah Walton, Baylor Walton; Jayce Walton; Jordan Walton, Hailey Walton, Laura Walton, Hannah Sachs, Carly Sachs, and Grayson Sachs. Her brother, Nathan Jones Payne (Shirley), her sister-in-law, Barbara B. Payne, her brother-in-law, Dale Taylor, and many nieces and nephews completed her family. A Memorial Service will be held at Urbanna United Methodist Church on Sunday, June 25, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. The family will greet visitors at a reception following the service in the church fellowship hall.   In lieu of flowers, please make donations in her memory to Urbanna United Methodist Church.