She was born February 23, 1927, to Jesse Lee and Marie Tommie Connell Smith, Sr., in Nevada County, Arkansas. She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl Ellis, her parents, and brothers Jesse Lee "Son", Jr, A1/C Doyle, and baby boy Smith.
Kathryn is survived by three stepchildren, David (Pat) Earl Ellis, Carol (James) Ellis Hastings, and Dolores Ellis Albonetti, seven step-grandchildren, and eleven step-great-grandchildren.
Kathryn is also survived by Joan Smith, Sonnet (Robert) Booth, and cousins Eva Lou Smith Stanley, Bennie Harrell (Paulette) Phillips, Cecil (Linda) Smith, Mary Elizabeth Smith Francis, and Carl and Kay Connell. Kathryn, "Gigi" is mourned by Bella, David Jr., Alyson, Sean Elizabeth, and her namesake, Rowan Catherine. Kathryn, "Miss Kate" is also mourned by special, faithful friends Tanna Wolfe and Angie Thomas.
After high school at age seventeen Kathryn left home with her friend, Mary, and the princely sum of $10.00 pinned inside her coat to journey to Little Rock to work for the telephone company. Although Mary later married, and Kathryn moved to Memphis, they remained friends for over 70 years. Her first night alone in Memphis Kathryn was so frightened that she barricaded the door with the chest of drawers. The next morning she regained her courage, ventured out, and began working for Walgreen's.
She met the love of her life, Earl Ellis, and they eloped to Hernando, Mississippi. They owned and operated Consolidated Printers and Lithographers downtown at Fourth & Poplar.
Kathryn, now "Miss Kate", and Earl were very active in Elks and Variety Club Tent 20. Kate, in 1976, was one of the first women to join the formerly all-male children's charity and remained an active member for over forty-five years. She was very involved in fundraising events such as the annual golf tournament, wild game dinner, fashion show, barbeque championship, Gridiron Show, and Bash and was named "Volunteer of the Year".
A celebration of the Life of Eunice Kathryn "Miss Kate" "Gigi" Smith Ellis will be held on Thursday, September 7th beginning at ten o'clock in the morning with family and friends gathering one hour prior all at Memphis Funeral Home located at 5599 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38119. Burial will be in Forest Hill Midtown Cemetery.
The family suggests financial gifts in "Miss Kate's" honor be sent to Crossroads Hospice or the organization of your choice.
Online condolences and directions may be found through www.memphisfuenralpoplar.com.
