Zora Lee Smith

She was a lifelong member of St. Rita Catholic Church. She attended Nazareth Academy and Spalding College on a full academic scholarship and graduated cum laude from Spalding with a double major in chemistry and mathematics. She was the first female chemist with National Distillery. She then devoted her life to the nurturing and education of her children and grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her father, John W. Gellhaus; mother, Elsie Franklin Gellhaus; her husband of 41 years, Harry D. Smith; brother, William G. Gellhaus; and daughters, Sherry Lynn Smith and Pamela Ann Smith.

Survivors include her children, Janet L. Smith, MD (John Roberts, MD), Richard L. Smith (Debbie), Karen "Kay"Russell (David), John T. Smith (Carolyn), T. Douglas Smith, Philip W. Smith (Ellen), Stephen A. Smith (Lisa), Marla J. Weigel (Brian) and Joseph T. Smith (Kathy); brother, Donald F Gellhaus (Marilyn); grandchildren Tadd Roberts, MD, Blair Roberts, Paige Roberts, Brooke Roberts, Dane Roberts, Kari Smith, Amanda Smith, Jennifer Smith, Kellen Russell, Brian Smith, Sarah Smith, Jimmy Pierce, Billy Pierce, Amanda Pierce, Roxanne Smith, Joshua Smith, Ashlea Weigel, Andrew Weigel, Hayley Weigel, Cameron Weigel, Justin Stillwell, Jeremy Stillwell, Katelyn Smith, Krista Smith; caregiver and friend, Marilyn McCarty.

Her funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Rita Catholic Church, 8709 Preston Hwy. Burial: Calvary Cemetery. Visitation: Wednesday, 2-8 p.m. and Thursday 11a.m.-8 p.m. at Arch L. Heady & Son Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Okolona and Preston Hwy. In view of her devotion to the Rosary and Blessed Virgin a Rosary Service will be held Thursday evening.

Please visit our website at ARCHLHEADYPRESTON.COM.

Memorial contributions can be made to St. Rita Catholic Church or the American Heart Association .