Catherine Smith Mitchell was born to Lucy Catherine Pearson Smith and Fred Hargett Smith, Sr. on July 16, 1935 and died Sunday, October 2, 2016 at New Hanover Regional Medical Center surrounded by her loving husband, Terry and family. Catherine was proud of her rich heritage of the Boney, Pearson, and Smith families. She proudly leaves this legacy to her family.

Preceding her in death are sweet, priceless memories of her parents, her two precious brothers that she loved being their "baby sister", Col. Fred H. Smith, Jr. and Mr. Edward Sloan Smith (Mrs. Elnora Lockard Smith); esteemed uncle, Mr. Marlton C. Pearson; and a very special aunt, Mrs. Dolly Pearson, who lived a full rewarding life and received many awards in gardening for her beautiful well-kept yard. Dolly was almost 102 years old when she died. Catherine also leaves in memory her uncle and aunt whom she thought highly of, Col George Gillette and Mrs. Marguerite MacRae Gillette.

Catherine loved to share her happy childhood memories. Catherine attended Tileston Grammar School, New Hanover High School (1953), Wilmington College (UNC-W, 1955), and Flora MacDonald College (1957) where she majored in Primary Education and a minor in Religious Education. While at Flora MacDonald she was selected to be 1 of 12 Highland Fling dancers to perform all over NC. As Catherine grew older she became more aware of how fortunate she was to remember all the fun times and enjoyed passing these rich experiences to her son, grandchildren, family and friends. Catherine is remembered for her infectious laugh, kindness to people and her zest in life and the joy in it. She has a smile that could light up the darkest place! In fact, at Forest Hills School where she taught First Grade and retired after 35 years, the Principal recorded Catherine's "roaring" laughter to be used when the teachers had a dull and tiresome day, everyone needed a good laugh!

Catherine fulfilled her dream of being a teacher. Her mother taught in a one room school house in (grades 1-8) in Teachey, NC. Her mother always enjoyed watching Catherine line up her blackboard and her big collection of dolls to get ready to "teach" them. Catherine and her mother also "sang" to the dolls for a music lesson. Catherine loved teaching and always provided fun and exciting lessons for each day that enhanced each child's learning experiences. She was always happy to see previous children she taught. They loved relating and sharing funny stories to each other. One funny story was when one of her 6 year old students went home and could hardly wait to tell his parents that "he wanted to grow up so he could marry his 1st grade teacher and take her to Hawaii."
One of Catherine's many gifts was the ability to notice when others needed help. One of her students wanted to spend Thanksgiving holidays with Catherine and her family. With his mother's permission he did. What a big surprise Carlton got when he got home from college and found a little boy in the back yard playing ball. This beautiful, smart little boy ended up staying with Catherine and her family four and a half years until he was introduced to his father who turned his life around! God does move in mysterious ways! What a blessing Catherine received! She enjoyed taking him shopping to buy him new clothes. He loved his first shower, drying his hair with a blow dryer. He enjoyed helping to cook and drying the dishes. Catherine introduced Sunday school and church to him. He loved it so much he could hardly wait to go every Sunday. Catherine always helped to provide shoes, clothes, and spending money for any needy child. She was an example of the Bible verse Mathew 25:40 "Truly, I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."

Catherine founded the International Reading Association at Forest Hills School. She served as President and travelled to different schools in several counties where she taught teachers how to improve their reading programs and skills. She served as a representative on the local, state, and national level of teacher's organizations. She enjoyed attending meetings so she could learn new ideas to use in her classroom and visiting old friends. Catherine enjoyed each of the churches that she was a member. She loved to cook and entertain different groups at her home. She enjoyed taking the seniors that could not drive to any church event. Catherine served as President of WMU at First Baptist Church in Wilmington, Riegelwood Baptist Church in Riegelwood, and Centerville Baptist Church in Kelly where she and Terry are currently members. She also was Director of WMU for Wilmington Baptist Assoc. She was in charge of the 77 churches WMU's. She enjoyed attending all the churches and help those in need to help plan their agendas and meetings. Catherine was truly happy and enthusiastic when she was elected to serve a four year term on the Board of Directors for the Baptist Children's Home in Thomasville, NC.

Catherine is survived by the love of her life, her wonderful, kind, loyal, and devoted husband, Terry Hite Mitchell of their home in Kelly, NC. Also surviving to cherish her memories is her wonderful, loving, devoted, musically talented son, Carlton Francis Williams and his gracious wife, Leslie of Plymouth, Mass. and three adoring grandchildren (also talented in music) Taylor, Jessica, and Samuel. Also surviving are never to be forgotten, sister-in-law, Mrs. Nell Herring Smith. She loved her five nephews Mike, Randy, David, Steve, and Johnny (all Smiths), and one dear niece, Jeanne Smith Rieman and three special cousins, Muriel, Sarah, and Bobby Pearson.

Catherine loved to travel. Terry and Catherine immensely enjoyed their trip to the Holy Land. They went on this tour sponsored by Campbell University Divinity School. Terry graduated from Campbell with a MA in Christian Education. Catherine also attended and received an Honorary Degree. Many memories are had as the both went to Brazil (Terry four times, Catherine three times). They both loved living and working on the Outer Banks for four summers. Catherine enjoyed the beauty of the world and the beauty of their yard and loved to share Terry's priceless God-given talents in painting art work and using his gifts in landscaping.

Catherine was a caring and selfless individual who deeply loved her family as well as Terry's family whom was very close knit and they returned much love to Catherine including her four sisters-in-law, Mrs. Miriam Mitchell Clark (David) of Elizabethtown, Mrs. Martha Mitchell Potter of Kelly, Mrs. Marie Mitchell Barnhill of Riegelwood, and Mrs. Ginny Mitchell Myers (Dennis) of Wilmington, two brothers-in-law, Mr. Bob Mitchell of Kelly and the late Mr. Charles Gaston Mitchell, Jr.

The family wishes to have visitation at Centerville Baptist Church, 18577 NC Hwy 53, Kelly, NC from 10:00-11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 5, 2016 after which Catherine's "Celebration of Life" will be observed. Officiating will be Rev. Lamont Hemminger. Interment will follow at Frenches Creek Cemetery on White Oak Rd. Kelly, NC.

The family thanks everyone for their prayers that have been lifted up during Catherine's health issues. They especially thank Dr. Todd Kornegay, Dr. Christopher Barber and Trinity Grove Rehabilitation for their health care and kindnesses.

Memorials may be made sent to Centerville Baptist Church, PO Box 27, Kelly NC 28448 for the Organ Fund to honor Catherine's mother and Terry's mother, whom were talented musicians.

"Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over will be poured into your lap." Luke 6:38 NIV

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Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home of Burgaw.