Kathleen Varnado "Kathy" Smith

Kathleen ""Kathy"" Varnado Smith, age 71, born in New Orleans and a resident of Gulfport, passed away on October 28, 2015 in Gulfport.
Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Josephine Varnado; her son, Jackson P. Smith, III; a sister, Carolyn Varnado Faggard; and a brother, Ellis Varnado.
She is survived by her husband, Jackson ""Jackie"" P. Smith, Jr whom she married on December 18, 1965; a daughter, Julie Smith Ritten and her husband, Jon, of Diamondhead; two grandchildren, Kendall and Laura Grace Ritten; and a sister, Cynthia McBeth of Saucier.
She graduated from St. John High School, Class of 1962, attended Our Lady of the Lake in San Antonio, TX and graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi where she earned a BS Degree in Elementary Education, a Master's Degree in Elementary Education and Administration and a Specialist Degree.
She was an educator in the Gulfport School System for twenty eight years and taught elementary education at Mississippi City Elementary School, West Ward Elementary School, North Central Elementary School, Anniston Avenue Elementary School, East Ward Elementary School, and was a Resource Teacher for Migrant Education. She received a Teacher of the Year Award from the Gulfport School System.
Kathy later was a licensed real estate agent and a boutique sales associate at Stein Mart.
She was a member of the St. James Catholic Church in Gulfport and participated in the St. James Home School Association, the St. James Bereavement Committee, served as a past teacher of the Pre-school religious program and was a marriage preparation coordinator at the church. She continued to be very active in many Bible study groups.
Kathy was a member of the Gulfport Civic League and Bayou View Garden Club. She was involved in redevelopment projects at the Bayou View Park and Jones Park after Hurricane Katrina. Kathy was a registered leader of the Gulf Pines Scout Council, Troop 247 and a bell ringer for the Salvation Army for many years.
Kathy enjoyed traveling and spending time with her granddaughters, attending all of their events. She enjoyed playing cards with the girls, smocking, sewing, scrapbooking, quilting, and needlepoint. She loved her yard and entertaining her friends. She always sent letters of love and encouragement to her dear friends.
The family prefers memorial donations be made to St. James St. Vincent de Paul Society, 366 Cowan Road, Gulfport, MS 39507 or St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, , http://www.stjude.org/trideltadonate, designate the University of Mississippi.
A visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday, October 30, 2015 from 5:00 PM until 7:30 PM at St. James Catholic Church, Gulfport with a Recitation of the Rosary at 7:30 PM. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, October 31, 2015 at 11:00 AM at St. James Catholic Church with a visitation from 10:00 AM until the Mass. Burial will follow at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens, Gulfport.
RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 11280 Three Rivers Rd, Gulfport is in charge of arrangements.
An online obituary may be viewed and memories shared at www.riemannfamily.com.