Cathy Cloninger is a lifelong resident of Gaston County. She has thirty-four years of service to the citizens of Gaston County as a proven, dedicated leader in domestic violence from 1983 until her retirement in 2017 as a county employee.
Graduating from Cherryville High School, Cathy holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Mars Hill College. Since 2011, she has served on the North Carolina Domestic Violence Commission and is a current member of the Rotary Club of Gastonia. Cathy has held former roles as a Sustainer with the Junior League of Gaston County, Chair of Gaston County Domestic Violence Prevention Council and Gaston County Health Care Commission.
Cathy has been honored with several awards including the State of North Carolina The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, 2018; Montcross Chamber of Commerce’s The Harley B. Gaston Jr. Public Service Award, 2018; Gaston County Board of County Commissioners renamed The Shelter of Gaston County to The Cathy Mabry Cloninger Center, A Domestic Violence Shelter, 2018; The Gaston Gazette’s Gaston County Person of the Year, 2011; Gaston County Women’s Commission Woman of the Year, 2008, Gaston County Outstanding Service Award, 2007; Interagency Child Abuse Prevention Council of Gaston County Outstanding Advocate for Children, 2006; Gaston County Award for Exceptional Leadership and Dedication 1998; and Gaston County’s Outstanding Employee, 1996.
Married to the retired Sheriff Alan Cloninger for 24 years, Cathy resides in Dallas, NC. She has two daughters and two grandchildren, whom she adores.
She is a member of Holy Communion Lutheran Church in Dallas.
P.O. Box 406
Dallas, NC 28034