Mrs. Katie Smith Poole

Mrs. Katie Smith Poole, Sandersville, Georgia passed away on Saturday, May 28, 2022 at University Piedmont, Augusta, Georgia. Funeral services were held on Saturday, June 4, 2022 at 1:00 P.M. at New Birth Christian Ministries at 409 Zeta Street, Tennille, Georgia 31089.

Mrs. Katie was born in Washington County, Sandersville, Georgia on January 4, 1934. She was the first of six children born to the parentage of the late Mr. Bobby Lee Harris, Sr. and the late Mrs. Buerena Simmons Harris.

She accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her Savior at the age of eight (8) and was a lifelong member of Bold Spring Baptist Church, where she served faithfully. She served as church clerk, treasurer of Sunday School, youth advisor and secretary of the missionary department.

Her educational journey began at the T. J. Elder Schools where she graduated at the age of sixteen (16) in the class of 1950 as the Valedictorian. She attended Fort Valley State College and was a graduate of the Dudley M. Hughes School of Practical Nursing. She attended many workshops at the University of Georgia, Georgia Southern College and Macon Junior College.

Mrs. Katie was the owner and operator of M. C. Smith Funeral Home, Smith Medical Nursing Care Center and Tin Tub Laundry. She was a Licensed Funeral Director, Nursing Home Administrator and a Licensed Practical Nurse. During her career as a business owner, she served her community in numerous capacities. She believed the key to success is faith in God and working with the youth and senior citizens.

Mrs. Katie served her community in the following capacities: Advisory Committee Washington County Schools, American Health Care Association, Central Georgia Health System Agency Board, Consumer Member of Georgia Real Estate Board, District Six Georgia Funeral Service Practitioners Association, Inc. (Treasurer), Down Town Merchant Association, Georgia Coalition of Black Women, Georgia Funeral Service Practitioners Association, Georgia Health Care Association, Habitat for Humanity (Founding Member), Hancock Missionary Baptist Association (Youth Director), Lincoln-Douglas League of Washington County, National Funeral Directors and Embalmers Association, Negro Business and Professional Women (NB&PW Founding Member), Plan Development Committee of Washington County, Sandersville Planning and Zoning Commission, Sandersville Regional Technical Institute Founding Board, Washington County Chapter NAACP, Washington County Chapter of American Cancer Society, Washington County Council on Aging (Founding Member), Washington County Elderite Association (Treasurer, Academic/Cultural Affairs Chair), Washington County Pilot Club (Founding Member), Washington County Recreation Commission and the Washington County Red Cross Executive Board.

She was the recipient of numerous recognitions and awards throughout her career. She received the following Appreciation Awards: NAACP and Optimist Club of Sandersville-Tennille. She received the following Certificates of Service: Pilot Club of Washington County, Distinguished Service for twenty (20) years - Georgia Real Estate Commission, Grand Marshall of 2010 Kaolin Parade, Resolutions from the Mayor and City Council of Sandersville for Community Service, the Sojourner Truth Award (NB&PW), and Mortician of the Year (Georgia Funeral Service Practitioners) 1985, in recognition of her standards of excellence awarded by her peers.

Mrs. Katie was considered the cornerstone of her community. She was a daughter, mother, sister, grandmother and great grandmother. She was a mother figure, mentor, leader and most importantly a friend to many. She dedicated her entire life to serving others. She was a tireless lady who never stopped moving and motivating.

She always had ambition and a desire to work hard. She often said “can’t died and had two sons named will and try.” Mrs. Katie was known as one of the nations finest professionals and inspirational role models to women and men alike. A true American Hero in every sense of the word. Her contributions to humanity are incalculable. Her personal philosophy was “serving humanity in any way that makes life better for all of mankind.”

Mrs. Poole leaves a legacy of love, devotion, family and sacrifice to be cherished by her three sons: Mr. Melvin C. Fussell, Jr., Mr. Louis Harris, Sr., Sandersville, Georgia, Mr. Marvin (Parish) Harris, Sr., Tennille, Georgia; three daughters: Mrs. Cynthia (Willie) Ware, Hephzibah, Georgia, Ms. Janise Harris, Sandersville, Georgia, Mrs. Belinda (Anthony) Watkins, Fredericksburg, Virginia; two sisters: Mrs. Jacqueline (Rev. Robert) Mitchell, Jacksonville, Florida, Ms. Barbara Harris, Atlanta, Georgia; four brothers: Mr. B. L. (Annie) Harris, Jr., Sandersville, Georgia, Mr. Johnny (Virginia) Houston, Elizabeth City, North Carolina, Mr. Joe (Catherine) Houston, Atlanta, Georgia, Mr. James Crowder, Manvel, Texas; two stepdaughters: Mrs. Glenda Freeman, Ms. Rochelle Poole, Sandersville, Georgia; one stepson: Mr. Sam Poole, Atlanta, Georgia; twenty-six (26) grandchildren; twenty-nine (29) great grandchildren; four (4) great great grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. M. C. Smith Funeral Home in charge.