Loretta Kuhn Cate

The family of Loretta Kuhn Cate announces her peaceful passing on January 21, 2026, in her home, surrounded by her loving family.

Loretta was born on March 16, 1956, in Knoxville, Tennessee, and raised in Rock Island, Tennessee, where her childhood was spent surrounded by family—playing outdoors, riding horses, and enjoying time on the lake. From an early age, Loretta was loving, compassionate, and fiercely competitive. She approached everything with a standard of excellence, from athletics to academics, graduating at the top of her class from Warren County High School in 1974.

Loretta was a member of the David Lipscomb College tennis team during the 1974–1975 season, where she was identified as the team’s number two seed for the women’s squad—remarkably after learning to play tennis only the summer before beginning college. She later attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, before continuing on to the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy in Memphis, where she graduated with highest honors.

Loretta’s drive and incomparable work ethic paved the way for a highly successful professional career. She began at Vanderbilt Hospital as a pediatric pharmacist. Her pharmacy background provided a strong foundation as she transitioned into pharmaceutical sales with Parke-Davis (later a subsidiary of Pfizer). Throughout her career, she excelled in every role she held, becoming the #1 district manager, top regional manager, Human Resources Manager, and ultimately serving in an executive role as Director of Leadership Development until her retirement from the corporate world in 2006.

With her passion for leadership development still strong, Loretta founded her own company, Access Leadership Edge, where she collaborated on client projects and long-term initiatives alongside a diverse team of independent professionals. She was also the co-founder of Women in Leadership Now, continuing to work on passion projects until shortly before her passing.

During her early professional years in Nashville, Loretta met and married the love of her life, Leslie, beginning a partnership that spanned 43 years. Together they built a life and family she cherished deeply—her greatest achievement. Loretta was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She and Leslie raised two daughters whom she loved with all her heart. Ever-present in her parenting, Loretta shared countless activities with her girls, including the Cate family’s love of horses. She participated in showing Tennessee Walking Horses and won a World Championship at the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration in Shelbyville, Tennessee.

Her greatest joy was simply being with her children and grandchildren.

Loretta was the daughter of the late Charles William Kuhn and Maxine Kuzzar Drake. Until her passing, she remained devoted to their memory and to the lessons and gifts of life they so lovingly bestowed.

She is survived by her adoring husband, Leslie Cate; her daughter, Ashley Cate Vogel and husband Patrick Maximilian Vogel of Knoxville, Tennessee; her daughter, Lindsey Cate Salter and husband John Christopher Salter of Wilmington, North Carolina; and her treasured granddaughters, Elizabeth (Elle) Jacqueline Vogel, Vada June Vogel, and Penelope Cate Salter. She is also survived by her brothers, Charles William Kuhn, Jr. and Michael Roy Kuhn; and several beloved nephews and cousins.

Loretta shared a deep faith and was an active member of First United Methodist Church in Maryville. Her unwavering faith and love for family were guiding examples she shared with her children and friends. Her heart was larger than life, and her passion was contagious to all who knew her.

Loretta is now pain-free and in the presence of her Savior, Jesus Christ.

All are invited to celebrate Loretta’s life at a funeral service on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church Maryville (804 Montvale Station Rd., Maryville, TN 37803), with a receiving of friends to follow. Burial will be held Friday, January 30, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Grandview Cemetery (2304 Tuckaleechee Pike, Maryville, TN 37803) in the Mausoleum Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to First United Methodist Church Maryville, the American Cancer Society, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.