Catherine Louise Smith

Catherine Louise Smith, 96, died peacefully at her home on February 23, 2024. Catherine was born on July 15, 1927, in Trenton, MO to Lyndon Raymond and Ila Irene Walker. As a young girl she contributed to the family farm, graduating from Laredo, MO High School in 1945. She attended the Laredo, MO Baptist church with her family and was baptized as a young girl. She attended college in Kirksville, MO, successfully achieving a teaching certification; she taught children in a one room schoolhouse in Galt, MO for one year. She moved to Kansas City, MO in 1947 where she was employed by the Montgomery Wards Corporation. She worked in the accounting department; retiring after 37 years of service. She lived in an apartment in midtown, riding a bus to work. Often walking to save bus fare, she eventually purchased a house in the early 60’s on Belmont Street within walking distance to work.

Catherine was hired by the Parker McCrory Company in 1984 only weeks after her initial retirement. She would serve as a receptionist and in the accounting department for 34 years retiring in July, 2018. Catherine was caring and hard working earning the respect and love of her management and coworkers; several would become lifelong friends.

Catherine married Clifford Giles Smith in 1962. They purchased a home together in 1964 located in Sherwood Estates in North Kansas City. She maintained the Belmont house as rental property and they invested in property on Lake Viking, Altamont, MO which would become a family retreat. Clifford owned and operated several businesses including Dixons Chili located in downtown North Kansas City, preceded by the Chouteau Tavern, and followed by a family restaurant on Chouteau Trafficway. Catherine would often moonlight at each of these establishments.

Her family will miss her and remembers her as a loving and dedicated Aunt who supported them in many tangible and intangible ways. She often invested time to visit her brothers, sisters, and nephews arriving with donuts. She demonstrated depression era virtues such as frugality, tough mindedness, and hard work. She was fiercely independent, faithful, and self-reliant. She established and maintained Christian traditions at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. She invested heavily in the success of her family in so many ways. She loved animals, her dogs were like her children. Her colleagues remember her as hard working with a generous spirit.

Catherine is preceded in death by her husband Clifford Giles Smith, of Kansas City, MO; her parents, Lindon Raymond and Ila Irene Walker of Chillicothe, MO; her brother, Charles Raymond Walker; her sister Darlene Lucille Brown Gattison; and her nephew, Charles Richard Walker, of Patton, MO; and great nephew Reid Clayton Brown, of Lee’s Summit, MO.

Catherine is survived by her great nephew Larry Shane and his wife Tomie Walker of Patton, MO, and their children Alexie Elizabeth and Charlie Ethan Walker; and great nephew Ryan Eli Walker of Palm Springs, CA; nephew Bobbie Gene and his wife Pamela Ann Walker, of Jamesport, MO, and his son Charles Clifton Walker of Lee’s Summit, MO, and son Steven Mathew Walker of Columbia, MO; nephew Kenneth Dewayne and his wife Julie Yvonne Brown, of Parker, CO, their daughter Taylor Anne and husband Zachary Robert Higgins, their children Adelaide Anne, and Amelia Lane Higgins of Parker, CO; daughter Holland Lee and her husband Cody Edward Shultz, their daughter Twila Vandevender Shultz of Parker, CO; nephew Mark Allen and his wife Michelle Diane Brown of Oak Grove, MO; their son Corey Kenneth and his wife Erin Elizabeth Brown, their children Beckett Allen, Ryker Knox, and Kash Porter Brown of Greenwood, MO; and son Nolan Ander Brown, of Kansas City, MO. Catherine is also survived by a lifelong friend, and caretaker, Terrie Langford.