Kathryn Smith Maxey

KATHRYN SMITH MAXEY, age 65, of Strawberry Plains, TN died on Christmas Day, December 25, 2010. A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, Kathy was a member of Strawberry Plains Presbyterian Church in Strawberry Plains, TN. She is survived by her husband, Rev. Dennis Maxey, pastor of the church; her daughter and son-in-law, Becky and Jeremy Mills of Knoxville, TN; her two grandchildren, Abbey and Nate; her mother, Ethel Dickson Smith of Asheville, NC; her sister and brother-in-law, Mary Ellen and Douglas Perry of Hampton, VA; many relatives from coast to coast, and her dear friends. Kathy was born in Long Beach, California to the Rev. John Robert Smith, a naval chaplain during World War II, and Ethel Dickson Smith, daughter of missionaries to China. In the years after the war this preacher?s kid lived in Jackson, Mississippi, Dallas, Texas, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia. A graduate of Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia, Kathy taught elementary school in the inner city of Atlanta for several years. She later worked in the Atlanta headquarters of the old ?southern Presbyterian Church? where she met Dennis, a first year student at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia. Dennis proposed to Kathy on April 1, 1975 (ten days after they met). They were married four months later in the chapel of Central Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, GA. After Dennis completed seminary, Kathy and Dennis moved to Atmore, Alabama where Dennis pastored the Presbyterian Church there for three years. It was in Atmore that their daughter, Becky, was born. Tennessee was next as Dennis accepted a call to be Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Knoxville in 1980. In 1989, Dennis accepted a call to the Strawberry Plains Presbyterian Church, where Kathy enjoyed some of the happiest days of her life. Kathy never sought the spotlight but happily encouraged and supported family and friends from the background. She was generous and giving. She loved people unconditionally and always saw the best in others. She was playful and believed life should be a celebration of all things good. Her favorite time of year was Christmas, so it was most appropriate that her death came on Christmas Day, where she could arrive in heaven in time for a heavenly birthday party for her Jesus. Kathy will be missed but never forgotten by those who knew and loved her. Kathy?s family will receive friends in the Family Life Center of Strawberry Plains Presbyterian Church on Thursday, December 30 between 6-8 p.m. A memorial service honoring God and remembering Kathy will be held on Saturday morning, January 8, at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary of Strawberry Plains Presbyterian Church with Rev. Rich Fifield and Rev. William Wissore officiating. Interment of Kathy?s remains will be private. Kathy?s church was her second home, so in respect to Kathy?s wishes, the family requests that in lieu of sending flowers, people may make a donation to the mission and ministry of Strawberry Plains Presbyterian Church, 3168 West Old A. J. Highway, Strawberry Plains, TN 37871. Arrangements by Farrar Funeral Home in Jefferson City, TN (865) 475-3892