Katie Louise Drehmel Smith

Smith, Katie D., of South Knoxville, passed away peacefully at NHC Fort Sanders on November 7, 2010. Katie was born in Berlin, Germany on March 16, 1925. She met and married her husband, Buford C. Smith, in Berlin at the close of World War II. Katie and Buford relocated to Knoxville, Tennessee and she was especially proud of becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1955. She frequently said “I love being an American.” Katie was a faithful member of Sevier Heights Baptist Church for 62 years. She was educated in Germany as a bookkeeper and worked in this capacity at Walker Sanitary Supplies in South Knoxville. As a volunteer at East Tennessee Baptist Hospital, she supplied support to patients and families while she delivered flowers. Katie enjoyed traveling, tending her garden, caring for her pets and visiting with her friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Elsa Drehmel, of Berlin Germany; her husband, Buford C. Smith; and her daughter-in-law, Shelaine Smith. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Monika and Henry Bowman of Cookeville, and sons Ralph Smith of Tampa, Florida and Gary A. Smith of Knoxville. The family will receive friends at Berry Funeral Home, 3704 Chapman Highway, Knoxville, Wednesday, November 10, 2010, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The service will be at 1:00 p.m., with Rev. Don Wilson officiating. The interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Eastern Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 10088, Knoxville, TN 37939 or the charity of choice. Condolences may be offered at www.berryfuneralhome.com.