Catherine "Cathy" Lynn Byrum (née George; formerly Dillard) (born January 6, 1957) is the matriarch of the Dillard Family. She is the wife of Ronnie Byrum. She was the wife of Rick Dillard, with whom she has 2 children and 5 grandchildren, with 1 grandson on the way.
Marriage[]
On August 20, 1978, Cathy married Richard "Rick" Wayne Dillard in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. They were married until his death on January 18, 2008.
On July 21, 2011, Cathy married Ronald "Ronnie" Oswald Byrum.
Motherhood[]
Cathy has 2 children with Rick Dillard.
Their first child, son Derick Michael, was born on March 9, 1989. He is married to Jill Duggar. Together, they have 3 children. Their first child, son Israel David, was born on April 6, 2015. Their second child, son Samuel Scott, was born on July 8, 2017. Their third child, son Frederick Michael, was born on July 7, 2022. The couple miscarried a child, River Bliss, on October 3, 2021. The couple had a stillborn daughter, Isla Marie, on March 19, 2024.
Their second child, son Daniel David, was born on December 3, 1990. He is married to Deena Tougaw. Together, they have 2 children. Their first child, son Jaxon Michael, was born on September 5, 2018. Their second child, son Brady Richard, was born on February 12, 2021. They are expecting their third child, son Baby Boy Dillard, due February 19, 2025. The couple suffered a miscarriage on May 5, 2020. The couple suffered a miscarriage on June 1, 2023. The couple suffered a miscarriage in early October 2023. The couple suffered 3 miscarriages between November 2023 and May 2024.
Health[]
On April 10, 2014, Cathy was diagnosed with stage 4 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
On June 13, 2014, Cathy had a life-threatening brain bleed and had emergency surgery to stop it.
On October 9, 2014, Cathy had a stem cell transplant that cured her cancer.
On May 27, 2016, Cathy had minor surgery on her right index finger.
Cathy has scoliosis and atrial fibrillation.
Career[]
Education[]
In 1979, Cathy graduated from Oklahoma State University with her Bachelor's Degree in Education.
In 1983, Cathy graduated from Oklahoma State University with her Master's Degree in Education.
Sam's International[]
From 1997 to 2006, Cathy worked at Sam's International at the Walmart Home Office in Bentonville, Arkansas.
Treehouse Sales & Solutions[]
In 2006, Cathy began working at Treehouse Sales & Solutions in Rogers, Arkansas. She retired on February 12, 2021.
Author[]
On June 14, 2019, Cathy released her first book, I Shall Not Die: My Walk Through the Valley of Death.
Television[]
Cathy appeared on the TLC shows 19 Kids and Counting and Counting On as the mother-in-law of Jill Duggar.