DURHAM, N.C. — Catherine Spearman Ferrell, born October 10, 1912, in Warsaw, North Carolina, celebrated her 113th birthday this month, continuing a life that stands as a testament to faith, education, and perseverance. Recognized as the oldest known living resident of North Carolina, Mrs. Ferrell was honored at a family dinner on October 12 at Elizabeth Street United Methodist Church in Durham — a gathering that reflected more than a century of love and legacy.
Rooted in Faith and Family
Raised by her mother, Callie Spearman, Catherine learned early that faith and education were the foundation of life. Her mother, who had only completed third grade, taught her daughters to pray every morning and night, a ritual that Mrs. Ferrell has continued for more than a century.
She graduated valedictorian from Douglas High School in 1931 and played on the girls’ basketball team. In those early years, she began a lifelong relationship with First Baptist Church of Warsaw, where she rang the church bell each Sunday to call the community to worship.
After moving to Durham, Catherine married Maynard Ferrell Sr., and together they became a cornerstone couple in the East End community. The two operated a small neighborhood store that served not only as a business but also as a bus stop for local children — a daily act of service that reflected their shared values of care and community…