Annis Katherine Smith

Augusta, Georgia - Annis Katherine Pugh Smith (Katherine), cherished mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, entered into eternal rest on Sunday, May 22, 2022 while surrounded by her loving family. Funeral services will be held Friday, May 27, 2022 at 2:00 in the White Chapel at Greenwood Memorial Gardens in Montgomery, Alabama. A memorial service will be held in Augusta, Georgia at a later date.

Katherine was born May 31, 1924 in Conecuh County, Alabama to the late Dallas and Pearlie Rabren Pugh. She graduated in 1942 with honors from Evergreen High School. She later attended the Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now known as Auburn University), where she met and married her husband John in 1945; in 1946, they became the first married couple at Auburn to graduate together. From there, Katherine went on to teach the sixth grade, language arts, shorthand, and typing in various school systems in different parts of the country.

A long-time resident of the Montgomery, Alabama community, Katherine was an active member of the Alpha Delta Kappa teacher’s honorary society. Her passion, though, was using her gifts and talents in her church community. As a member of Memorial Presbyterian Church, she served as a deacon and chaired a number older adult and pastoral care ministries. She was also the church history chairman, putting her love for collecting and organizing memorabilia to use for the church family she loved so dearly.

In 2008, Katherine moved to Martinez, Georgia to be near her family, and soon thereafter joined Aldersgate United Methodist Church. In Martinez, she became a vibrant and active part of her new community.

Katherine had many interests and hobbies, but most important to her were her family and friends. She loved preserving memories in photographs and scrapbooks, playing and teaching the game of Contract Bridge, and gardening.

Katherine was preceded in death by her beloved husband John Calloway Smith, parents Dallas and Pearlie Rabren Pugh, brothers Lester Pugh and Moye Pugh, sister Voncile Pugh Windham, and a son, Charles Donald, who died in infancy.

She leaves behind son Terence (Terry) Smith and his wife Linda of Augusta, Georgia; granddaughters Angelia Smith Cates and her husband Larry of Greenville, South Carolina, Jessica Smith Bolyard and her husband Scott of Appling, Georgia, and Ashley Smith Woodard and her husband Mark of Aiken, South Carolina. She is also survived by her beloved sister-in-law Margaret Slaughter of Birmingham, Alabama. She was also blessed with nine great-grandchildren and countless wonderful nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Katherine often marveled at her blessings and wondered aloud why she was so graced. The many who loved her, though, knew that she deserved every blessing, and more.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations instead be made to Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 3185 Wheeler Road, Augusta, Georgia 30909.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Leak-MC.com for the Smith family.