Kathryn L. "Kate" Smith, born January 25, 1947, left the rest of us a little poorer on March 20, 2024.  Kate (don't call her Kathryn or "rooster;" nickname given by her dad) lived a life full of obstacles, which she overcame one by one using her powerful love of life and magnetic personality.

Kate graduated from Spencer High School in 1964, moving soon after to Erie, Pennsylvania, with her older sister Sandra "Sue" Stotts-Jarvis.  It was near there that Kate was presented with her first major challenge – a nearly fatal auto accident in upstate New York. Doctors cautioned that she would not survive the first night, but after several months of recovery in a hospital and at her parent's home, the only lasting effects were severe arthritis and complete blindness.  Within a year after her rehabilitation, she got her first seeing-eye dog/companion, Effie, and moved to Washington, D.C., to teach blind patients at St. Elizabeth Hospital how to complete everyday tasks and live independently (yes, John Hinkley was there).  Kate could do anything a sighted person could except drive an automobile, and she would have tried that if anyone would let her behind the wheel.

A few years later, another near-fatal obstacle appeared in her path. Kate and best friend/roommate Kathy Martin were walking Effie at a nearby park when two large dogs attacked Effie. Kate, loving animals, had no fear and tried to intervene.  The attacking dogs cut her hands very badly, with Kate losing a serious amount of blood.  Another hospital stay and recovery later, Kate was her old self once again, except for an understandable fear of large dogs.

Kate accepted a retirement offer in the late 1980s or early 1990s, and she and Kathy moved back to Spencer. Though Kate had become accustomed to "big city" life, she adjusted well in the familiar setting of her childhood.  Kate liked games of chance, and her dining room became the site of many family penny-ante poker games through the years, as well as absurdly large bets with her brother on professional football games. Kate, Kathy, her mother, and sister Sue would take road trips to Atlantic City every year or two, never hitting it big, but never losing the shirts off their backs either.  In Spencer, she and Kathy would spend a dollar or two on Powerball, and scratch off the occasional WV lottery tickets.  Lottery tickets were always good Christmas or birthday gifts for Kate.

During Kate's final years, she had to deal with a lot of heartache in addition to her physical ailments. First, best friend Kathy passed away, then her great friend and helper from the Committee on Aging, Angie, passed. Finally, and by far most damaging was the death of her sister, Sue, on February 20 of this year.  Kate and Sue were the closest of sisters throughout their lives, with Sue visiting Kate almost every day the past few years. Kate managed to bear up and keep her wry, irreverent sense of humor in spite of all her trials.

Kate was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Laco and Dail Simmons; maternal grandparents, Rex and Nina Smith, Ott Smith; parents, Charles H. and Justine Smith; siblings, Fred (Pat) Stotts, Sandra "Sue" (Garrett, also deceased) Stotts-Jarvis; and as well as nearly all of her aunts and uncles.  She would want to especially mention her aunt, Madlyn Smith-Backus, and her cousin, Dennis "Denny" Smith.

Kate is survived by brothers, Mike (Jan) and Kevin, as well as members of the Smith, Simmons, Conley, Carper, Stotts, and Jarvis families.  She is also survived by many friends in and around Spencer, especially Joy Webster, her helper from the Committee on Aging.  She would also want to mention her long-time friend from Washington, D.C., Clarissa.

The family would like to particularly thank the Committee on Aging and all the people there, not only for the meals and household help they provided on a daily basis, but also for their companionship and friendship.

A celebration of Kate's life will be held Saturday, April 13, 2024 at 3:00 PM at First Baptist Church, Spencer, with Pastor Mark Wood officiating. Anyone wishing to honor her recently deceased brother, Fred Stotts or her recently deceased sister, Sandra "Sue" Stotts-Jarvis is encouraged to attend.

In lieu of flowers, please give to the Roane County Animal Shelter, 2550 Parkersburg Road, 25276.

Taylor-Vandale Funeral Home, Spencer, is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be shared at www.taylorvandalefuneralhome.com