Rita McNamee Smith

“Mawma”

Rita McNamee Smith, age 92 of Nashville, TN, passed away peacefully on January 21st 2024.

She is preceded in death by her parents John Thomas McNamee and Norine Regina Walsh McNamee Randall, her brothers, Thomas W. McNamee and Joseph E. McNamee and her Beloved Husband Carlyss M. Smith.

Survived by Sister, Rose E. McNamee Impey of Houston, MO, son, Roger L. Smith (Susan), daughters Lisa C. Frith (Randall), Melanie L. Smith and son, Paul K. Smith (Bobette). Grandchildren, Brandon L. Frith (Laura), J. Chase Frith (Samanthia), Katie R. Simmons (Zack), Nicholas O. Smith, Patrick M. Jones, Natalie D. Smith, Rebecca E. Smith. And great-grandchildren Caden, Manning, Owen, Avery, Callen and Jacob.

Rita graduated High School from St. Bernard Academy in 1949. After High School she worked at Cain-Sloan’s Department store as the secretary to the president until she married her sweetheart Mel Smith in 1956. They welcomed their first son, Roger, at the end of the same year. A year later Lisa was born. The family then moved to Karachi, Pakistan for five years. While there, they welcomed their second daughter Melanie in 1959. They then moved back to Nashville and welcomed their second son Paul in 1963. Once her children were in school, Rita began working in the career placement department at Vanderbilt. She also volunteered as one of the “Pink Ladies” at St. Thomas hospital. And she was a member of St. Henry’s Catholic Church.

Rita, known as “Mawma” to all her family was artistic, fun, adventurous, and a world traveler with one of her favorite places being Athens, Greece. She loved to go to the beach, loved to work with her plants and flowers and loved her animals, even the squirrels and chipmunks on her back porch. She always had cats or dogs and usually both. She loved her movies and playing her piano and listening to Frank Sinatra. She always made every holiday extra special. No one ever left her house without her feeding you something, or at least sending you with a goody bag to go. She was always there for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She cherished her neighbors and friends and loved to listen to everyone’s stories. And she never met a stranger.

Visitation with the family was held Thursday, January 25th at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 535 Sneed Rd. Franklin, TN 37069. Mass of Resurrection was celebrated with Father Justin Raines, Celebrant, with burial to follow.

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia in her name. http://tinyurl.com/bdhjv47w