Cathy Justice
First Lady of West Virginia
Current
Assumed role
January 16, 2017
GovernorJim Justice
Preceded byJoanne Jaeger
Personal details
Born (1953-01-28) January 28, 1953
Beckley, West Virginia, U.S.
Spouse
​
(m. 1975)​
EducationMarshall University (MEd)

Cathy Leigh Justice (née Comer; born January 28, 1953) is an American educator and the current first lady of West Virginia since 2017.

Early life

Cathy Leigh Comer, daughter and only child of Thomas Leigh and Virginia Ruth Comer, was born in Beckley, West Virginia and grew up in Prosperity, West Virginia.[1]

She graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1970 where she met her future husband, Jim Justice.

Cathy graduated from Marshall University with a degree in secondary education.

Career

Jim and Cathy Justice meeting Vice President Mike Pence in March 2017.

Justice served as president of Comer Electric, Inc., a business started by her family, and she was a member of the board of directors for First National Bank in Ronceverte for five years. She also spent time substitute teaching in Raleigh County Schools, and she is involved in a local reading program for elementary school students.[1][2]

Justice became the first lady of West Virginia when her husband, Governor Jim Justice, was sworn in on January 16, 2017.[2]

Shortly after her tenure as First Lady began, she celebrated Women's History Month with a televised speech on March 8, 2017. In her speech, Justice recognized a number of West Virginia women who have made a difference in the state, like novelist Pearl S. Buck, actress Jennifer Garner, and basketball player Vicky Bullett.[3]

Personal life

Justice and her husband Jim reside in Lewisburg, West Virginia. The family chose not to reside in the West Virginia Governor's Mansion. The couple have two children, Jay Justice and Dr. Jill Justice.

In July 2021, Carter Bank & Trust, a banking company, went after Jim and Cathy Justice for a $58 million loan default based on guarantees they signed.[4] The company filed claims over the millions of dollars based on defaults of The Greenbrier Sporting Club and Oakhurst Club.

References

  1. 1 2 "First Lady". governor.wv.gov. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  2. 1 2 "Cathy Justice". National Governors Association. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  3. ↑ "W.Va. First Lady Marks Women's History Month". West Virginia Public Broadcasting. 2017-03-08. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  4. ↑ McElhinny, Brad (July 19, 2021). "Bank goes after Jim and Cathy Justice personally for $58 million loan default". WV MetroNews. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
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