Cathy Leigh Comer Justice, daughter and only child of Thomas Leigh and Virginia Ruth Comer was born January 28, 1953, in Beckley, WV and grew up in Prosperity, WV.
She attended Raleigh County public schools and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1970 where she met her future husband, Jim Justice. The two high school sweethearts would go to the prom together and get married not long after college. Cathy graduated from Marshall University with a degree in Secondary Education.
After college, she moved back to Raleigh County and married Jim. In 2016, Jim and Cathy celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary and now live right by downtown Lewisburg with Molly Belle and Lucy, their two Boston terriers. The Justices have two adult children, Jay Justice and Dr. Jill Justice.
Cathy has always loved horses and first learned to ride a small pony named Star who lived in a little stable on her parent’s property. She was very active in 4-H growing up and rode horses competitively, even becoming the 1976 West Virginia Quarter Horse Queen. Cathy is very involved in the family’s thoroughbred racing operation and is very proud of the fact that several of her horses are currently competing in thoroughbred racing at prominent racetracks across the country.
Upon the death of her father, Cathy became President of Comer Electric, Inc., a business started by her father and mother. She also served on the Board of Directors for First National Bank in Ronceverte, WV for five years. Cathy’s business experience also extends to The Greenbrier where she provides guidance to the retail operations.
Whether it is substitute teaching in Raleigh County schools or giving of her time to a local charity, she has always supported her community. She is involved in a local church affiliated reading program for elementary school students.
Basketball plays a big part in her life as she attends all of the Greenbrier East High School basketball games that Jim coaches. Before home games she hosts pre-game meals for the players and stays in touch with many players after they graduate.
For many years, she rode horses competitively at the West Virginia State Fair. One year, while expecting her son Jay, she decided not to ride but instead entered the cornbread competition. She won the Blue Ribbon and best of show that year for her cornbread recipe which is now used at The Greenbrier, and featured in Jerry West’s Prime 44 Steakhouse.
Cathy and Jim are members of the First Baptist Church in Beckley.