Mrs. Catherine Davis Smith was born on July 3, 1939 to the late Bessie Curry and D.J. Davis in Bogalusa. She made her a transition on Tuesday morning March 29, 2016 at St Tammany Parish Hospital.

At an early age, she joined the Second Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the Reverend S.L. Greenup. Catherine was a faithful choir member for many years.

Catherine attended Central Memorial Elementary and Central Memorial High School. She worked as a dietary supervisor at the Bogalusa Medical Center and continued her occupation as a domestic worker in many capacities. She later retired in 1990 and dedicated her time to help in rearing her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Better known as “Mama Kat,” she dedicated her time and energy to serving the community by cooking and feeding many within her neighborhood, caring for many children, and mentoring youth. Mama Kat was a Timberjack, Lumberjack, Grambling State University, Chicago Bears, and Dallas Cowboys cheering mom.

She pursued what she loved most and continued to give back to the community in numerous ways.

Catherine leaves to cherish her memories: one brother, Horrace (Joy) Davis; four sons, Odris Smith, Robert (Vaneda) Smith, Sean Smith and Victor Cowart; nine daughters, Janice (Ricky) Davis, Marie Ishman, Lydia Moses, Janice Norris, Joyce Smith, Romeldia Rogers, Bennie Jean Smith, Mary (Eddie) Smith, Glendia Arbuckle, and Dawn (Byron) Adams. Grandchildren Robert Smith II, Chelsea Smith, Nicholas Smith, Joiya Smith, Vaneda Volentine, Fredricka Johnson, Sean Smith II, William B. Smith, Jordan Smith, Madison Bruns, Christopher Smith, Kayli Smith, Rickeshia Davis, Alexis Smith, William G. Smith, Shuntae` Slader, Harvest Sladers, Glendia Sladers, Justin Sladers, Rodney Brown Jr., Kirstie Adams, Byron Adams II, Matthew Adams, Kaitlyn Adams, Sabrina Owens, Latana Smith, Larry Rogers, Joseph Rogers, Leon Rogers, Dessie Norris, Carolyn Norris, Jimmy Norris, Tina Jefferson, Damion Oatis, Darwin Oatis; four immediate great-grandchildren Raniya Temple, Robert Smith III, Alaya Smith, Anyla Shorter and numerous great-grandchildren; lifetime daughter in love, Veronica A. Smith; lifetime devoted friends, Lubertha Keller, Classie Bearden and Ellen Greely; godchildren, Courtney Matthews, Cody and Cory Peters and a host of other relatives and friends.

Catherine Smith was preceded by her husband, Benjamin Smith; parents, Bessie Curry and D.J. Davis; grandmother, LuBertha Curry; sisters, Annie Jackson and Gloria Cowart; brothers, Freddie Cowart and Charles Cowart; children, David D. Davis Smith, Constance Oatis, William Gerald Smith; daughter-in-law Almeda Smith; son-in-law, Donnie Ishman; grandchildren, Veronica Davis Michael Rodgers; and a special son, Andrew Cowart.

The homegoing celebration for Mrs. Smith will be held on Saturday, April 2, at Bethlehem Baptist Church Family Life Center at 1 p.m. The Rev. Darryl Self of Second Baptist Church will be officiating the service, and the Rev. Darryl Nichols will be the eulogist.