In loving memory of our beloved sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, Mary Catherine Smith (December 29, 1928 – January 10, 2024).

Psalms 23: The Lord is my Shepheard; I shall not be in want. He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Mary Catherine Smith quietly departed this life at 95 when the Lord called her home on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, from James River Nursing Home in Newport News, VA. Mary Catherine graduated from high school and furthered her education in nursing. With her caring nature and love for others, she made a life-long career of helping others. She began professing love for and faith in Jesus Christ at a young age. She attended church regularly and developed a deep faith that continued until death. She had a passion and love for others, and no one was a stranger to her; everyone who knew her loved her, and everyone in the world was a friend she had not met yet. It should be known that her Christian life was as beautiful as the flowers she loved so well. A red rose always put a giant smile on her face as they were her favorite. Mary Catherine was a woman of deep faith who committed her life to Jesus. She held on to her faith throughout her life, always turning to prayer and scripture in all times of joy and sorrow. She prayed for many who did not know it as if she knew exactly what they wanted or needed. She felt it was her Christian responsibility. It wouldn’t be uncommon for you to find folded-up pieces of paper in all of her books, Bibles, and cards given to her throughout the years. She put them anywhere she could for us to find years later. She saved prayer lists, passages, notes, quotes, and meaningful scriptures like this:  1 Corinthians 11: 15: “But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her, for her hair is given to her for covering.” Anyone who knew her knew that her hair was her glory.

You’d usually see her with a cute bun on top of her head. As the years went by and her hair thinned, she never complained. She would pull her hair from her brush, roll it between her fingers, and place it in her bun to help make it fuller. She would say with a smile, “You’ll be here one day.” Mary Catherine was a loving mother and a devoted friend. She was an intelligent and motivated woman who always looked to the brighter side of things in life and never said anything wrong about anyone. Her kindness and generosity touched the lives of many, showing that her faith was not just a belief but a way of life. Mary Catherine remained a faithful Christian her entire life, and through the years of attending church, everyone she met became family to her. Having a family of her own meant everything to her, and being a mother was her greatest gift. She absolutely loved it when her family visited her and spent time with her. She loved it more than anything when someone brought her a milkshake. Her smile when she saw it made you bring her one each time you visited her.

Another favorite thing that puts a smile on her face is pizza. Her daughter ended up calling her pizza-licious because she wanted it so much. She was so proud of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. She would talk about them all for hours or whenever anyone would listen to her talk. She was even known to talk over the TV to be heard. On a recent visit from her daughter from out of town, Mary Catherine said, “You are my daughter; It’s been a long time, and now that you are here, I can go.” Several people heard her say, “I’m going home with a smile.” Little did anyone know; it was as if she knew it was her time to go. She went peacefully, touching many lives with her gentle spirit and positive presence. Mary Catherine’s beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of her siblings, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

To think of Mary Catherine at home with Christ makes the thought of Heaven all the richer and sweeter. There is a great sense of joy that Mary Catherine has finished her race and is in the presence of the Lord, whom she has served faithfully for so many decades. She has received that welcome from Christ that we all long to hear: “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of the Lord.”

After 95 beautiful years, we know God is pleased to have one of His kind and generous angels back in His arms, where she belongs. Mary Catherine will be loved forever and surely missed by everyone here on Earth until we meet again.

Mary Catherine is preceded in death by her parents, Carrie and Walter Cook; sister-in-law, Joan Cook; brother, Bryon and wife Myrtle Cook; her youngest daughter, Bonnie Anne Lassiter; granddaughter, Jessica Campbell; and her great-grandson, Gavin Bryce Auerbach.

She is survived by her brother, Gerald Cook; sister, Esther and husband Don Morgan; daughters, Wanda and husband Glenn Campbell, Audrey and husband Wesley Bonafe’, Cheryl Cutler; her sons, Ronnie and wife Debbie Smith; her grandchildren, Mark Campbell, Kristy and husband Ronnie Cook, Kelly and husband Dennis Carter, Duff Hisey, Sarah Massy, Amy and husband David White, April and husband Quinton Shock, Jeremiah Cutler, Jesse Cutler, Jana Cutler, David Jr. and wife Emily Cutler, Foster and wife Kristin Bonafe,’ Brandon and wife Tiffany Bonafe,’ Tyler Bonafe’, Adam and wife Joyce Horrell, and Jason and wife Heather Horrell; her extended family, David Cutler, Linda Smith, and Wayne Horrell; along with numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements are under the care of Peninsula Funeral Home in Newport News, VA. Her graveside service will be held Monday, January 15, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 2700 Parish Avenue, Newport News, VA 23607. We will celebrate Mary Catherine’s life at the Cook Family Residence after the service. Any flower arrangements may be sent to Peninsula Funeral Home.