Katherine Williams “Miss Katherine” Smith, age 79 of Dickson died June 20, 2016 at her home. Visitation with the family will be at Taylor Funeral Home on Thursday, June 23, 2016 from 3 until 7 p.m. with the Rosary Service beginning at 7:00 p.m. Funeral mass will be at 11 a.m. Friday, June 24, 2016 from St. Christopher’s with Father Mathew officiating. For those desiring, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or to Shriner’s Hospitals.
Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, Katherine was the daughter of the late Owen K. and Molly H. Schoolcraft Williams. She graduated from St. Teresa’s Academy High School in East St. Louis, Illinois. She then graduated from Southern Illinois University with a degree in Psychology. Nearly 57 years ago, she married Charles Walter Smith. After coming to Dickson, she owned and operated Katherine Smith School of the Arts where she became known affectionately as “Miss Katherine” to many, many young people involved in the art of the dance. She operated the studio here from 1972 to 1988. She was a member of St. Christopher’s Catholic Church.
Survivors include her husband, Charles W. “Charlie” Smith, Dickson; three sons, Joseph O. Smith, Florida, Charles A. “Chuck” Smith, Moss Point, MS, and Peter T. Smith (Tonya), Burns, TN; one daughter, Madonna M. Walker, Dickson; a sister, Patricia Starr, Danville, IL; a brother, Owen K. Williams, Jr., Port Charlotte, FL; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.