Catherine Bess Smith
September 8, 1934 - January 2, 2021
On Saturday night, January 2, 2021, the Angel of Death quietly called our loved one, Catherine Bess Smith to her eternal rest. “Cat” or “Miss Kittie” as she was affectionally called by both family and friends was the daughter of the late Ernest Bess and Hattie Lee Speaker (Bess). A native of Bethel, NC, she moved to Portsmouth, VA in the mid 1950’s and married the love of her life Arthur L. Smith (deceased 2011). Catherine’s special love for children afforded her the opportunity to pursue a career in Special Education. She retired from Portsmouth Public Schools with over 20 years of service. She was a faithful and active member of First Baptist Taylorsville, Portsmouth VA for over 25 years untill her health declined. She leaves to cherish her memory, two daughters, Bonnie S. Tazewell (Irwin) of Chesapeake, VA and Thalia S. Hawkins (Troy) of Portsmouth, VA; three sons Arthur (Bubba)Smith, Jr Eddie T. Smith (Sanita) of Portsmouth, VA; Charles J. Smith of Cincinnati, OH and forever in her memory son Steven L. Smith (deceased 1996); three sisters, Nannie M. Jackson, Portsmouth, VA; Vernell Foxx, Piscataway, NJ and Annie E. Bess, Orange NJ; one brother Joseph R. Bess (Gail) of Chesapeake, VA. One sister-in-law, Betty Bess of Robertsonville, NC and one brother-in-law James Ellison of Newark, NJ; fifteen grandchildren, twenty-five great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and very special life-long friends and their families.
On Saturday night, January 2, 2021, the Angel of Death quietly called our loved one, Catherine Bess Smith to her eternal rest. “Cat” or “Miss Kittie” as she was affectionally called by both family and friends was... View Obituary & Service Information