SMITH (HAPPOLDT), Catharine “Kay”
On Sunday August 22nd, Kay Happoldt Smith was called home after more than 3 years battling ovarian cancer. She is preceded by her parents Albert and Mary Happoldt, her brother Albert Happoldt Jr. and her sister Marylou Happoldt Jackson. Born in 1940 at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, GA, Kay graduated from Spring Street Elementary School and later Grady High School. While in high school, she served on Rich’s teenage board of directors and was also known as Miss Georgia Peach. After graduating from Grady High School, Kay attended the University of Georgia. During her studies in Georgia, she studied business administration, graduated with Cum Laude and also actively participated as a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority. Kay married high school sweetheart Tom Cook Smith in 1960 while she was still in high school in Georgia and graduated from UGA a year later in 1961.
Kay and Tom lived in Athens, GA when they first married, and Kay taught high school at Commerce High School for two years. Shortly thereafter, Kay and Tom moved to Dunwoody, GA, where they raised their two children for the next 20 years. They were members of Dunwoody United Methodist Church and active members of the Atlanta Athletic Club, where they made many of their longstanding friendships through the 18-hole women’s group. Kay became the 1975 AAC Women’s Golf Club Champion. During these years she was active in the WSGA (Women’s Southern Golf Association). After 4 years of active work as a secretary at the WSGA, she was elected President of the WSGA and held this position for 2 years. Kay cherished her time with the WSGA, traveling to various golf courses in the southeast and making many new friends.
Kay also loved gardening her entire life. She joined the Pine Tree Garden Club of Atlanta in 1973 and was vice president and president in 1978 and 1979. She has been an honorary member for 15 years. Kay was also a member of the Fulton County Federation of Garden Clubs and the Garden Club of Georgia, where she served on numerous committees. When she wasn’t playing golf, she could be found in the garden tending her dahlias and raspberries.
Kay spent her golden years in Highlands, NC, playing golf with friends at Highlands Country Club, volunteering for the Literacy Council, and serving on the board for 5 years. Kay also spent endless hours volunteering for the Highlands Presbyterian Church’s Sunshine School, where she was an active member for over 14 years. Her most valuable possessions were her 4 grandchildren. She was her biggest fan and never missed a game, graduation or other significant event. Kay leaves behind her 61-year-old husband, Tom; two children, Tracey Catharine Reed (Smith) and husband Kent Bingham Reed from Blairsville, GA and Kenneth Happoldt Smith and wife Sheri Lingle Smith from Atlanta, GA; and 4 wonderful grandchildren, William Peyton Smith, Catharine Kendall Smith, Knox Bingham Reed and Stockton Hazen Reed. Kay lived a wonderful life and every day was a great day for those who knew her. She lived life to the fullest and really enjoyed her family, made friends, played golf, and gardened.
Kay was a beacon of God’s love for us all, pouring her heart and soul into everyone she met – we will never know how many lives she has really affected, but those who knew her will realize that she is truly blessed were spending time with her. She had a great walk with God and showed everyone how to care for people and love them.
Grave maintenance will be private to the immediate family.
It’s been a tough couple of days, but the love and support we’ve received from everyone has been overwhelming. We want to make sure that each of you knows how much we value your love, prayer, and support.
Given the current concerns about Covid, we have decided to postpone the Celebration of Life scheduled for Friday, August 27th at 3 p.m. Mom doesn’t want us to endanger the health of others for her benefit – she has always thought of others, and we as a family believe that we should honor her legacy by thinking the same way.
We hope for your understanding for our decision and will share future plans at a later date.
At Kay’s request, the family is requesting that all donations go to the Literacy Council and Sunshine School in Highlands, NC, in lieu of flowers.
Bryant-Grant Funeral Home and Crematory serves the Smith family. Online condolences at www.bryantgrantfuneralhome.com