March 30, 1927 – March 21, 2010 Kathryn L. (Aiken) Smith, 82, of Gainesville, Texas, passed from this life on March 21, 2010 at the River Valley Health and Rehab Center in Gainesville. â??Our Lord giveth and our Lord taketh away.â? On March 30, 1927, our Lord gave us Kathryn when she was born in Collinsville, Texas. Her proud parents were Judson Clemons and Mary Frances (Mamie) Aiken. She was the youngest of ten children born to sharecroppers of the 1920â??s. Kathryn was their first and only child to graduate from high school, graduating from Whitesboro High School in 1945. She was so proud of this accomplishment.
Kathryn was a devout Christian and a faithful member of Central Baptist Church in Whitesboro for the last 25 years. She raised her children in the Southern Baptist Church and always tried to instill Christianity and faith in God in their lives because this was so important to her. She taught her children and others many valuable life lessons over the years. She leaves a legacy of love, compassion and faith in God.
She had numerous careers over the years. Her first job after graduation was at the first food locker in Whitesboro. Whether she was a homemaker, waitress, grocery checker, office worker, housekeeper or caregiver, one thing we know for sure is no matter what, Kathryn always did her best. She always taught her children that anything worth doing is worth doing right.
Kathryn was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Tillman Martin, husband, Ross Stice; four brothers; four sisters; and a step-daughter, Margaret Smith.
She leaves behind her husband of almost 25 years, Julian Smith of Gainesville; daughters, Emily Muller and husband, Jack of Rowlett, Texas, Lana Scully and husband, Gary of Gainesville, Texas, Melba LaBarbera and husband, Paul of Alvin, Texas, Tammie Adams and husband, Richard of Splendora, Texas; a son, Mickey Martin of Alvin, Texas; six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; a sister, Mary Lee Rush of Whitesboro; five step-children; eleven step-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and friends. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Mar. 23, 2010 at Meador Funeral Home Chapel, 401 Hwy. 377 North, Whitesboro, Texas.
Funeral Services will be held at Meador Funeral Home Chapel at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Mar. 24, 2010. Rev. Joe Patterson will officiate.
Graveside Services will be held at San Jacinto Memorial Park in Houston, Texas at 1 p.m. on Friday, Mar. 26, 2010.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Central Baptist Church, 306 S. Union St., Whitesboro, TX 76273 or Integra Care Hospice, 1451 W. Business 380, Decatur, TX 76234.