Katherine Patricia (Hamburger) Smith

Katherine Patricia Hamburger Smith, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend died peacefully on March 7, 2021, in her home in Ridgeland, SC. She was born on January 30, 1943, in Columbia, SC to the late Carl Leo Hamburger and Eleanor Watson Hamburger. 

She was very proud to be from a large family, as she was one of eight children – six girls and two boys. She cherished spending time with her siblings, the memories they made in Columbia, and traveling to their summer cottage in Bluffton on the May River.  

She attended St. Peter’s parochial school and Catholic High School of Columbia, SC, where she graduated as salutatorian in the class of 1960, and then attended the University of South Carolina. She was the voice of Little Jack in the Little Jack Puppet Show, a program promoting good dental health to young children in SC schools. She later taught 4^th grade at Ridgeland Elementary. 

After meeting one summer in Bluffton, she wed Joseph Elihu Smith, Jr. on June 22, 1963, in Columbia, SC. She found great joy in raising their son and daughter.  

She was active in numerous civic affairs including St. Anthony’s Church Altar Society, Jasper County Historical Society, Azalea Garden Club, and Ivy Garden Club. 

In 1989, she became a ‘Na-Na’ which brought her much joy. She often referred to her grandchildren - Hampton, Olivia, and Harrison Wall and Callie Smith - as her four angels. She had a remarkable memory and a gift of writing, and loved sharing her written stories with her family.  

A hobby she enjoyed was sending greeting cards and prayer cards to encourage others. She believed in the power of prayer which was a great source of her joy, strength, and daily life. She often said, “More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of.” Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family, talking and laughing, and looking through old photos.  

Later in life, her weekly hair appointment at Headquarters with Ginger Stoner was a highlight of her week, and she appreciated her daily visits with Meals on Wheels volunteers. 

She is survived by her family who loved her very much, including her son Jay Smith (Rhonda) and her daughter Eleanor Smith Wall (Hal); and grandchildren Hampton, Olivia, and Harrison Wall, and Callie Smith. She is also survived by seven siblings, Mary Lynn Guettler of Rock Hill, SC, Carol Caggiano of Spartanburg, SC, Martha Ann Spotts (Dave) of Atlanta, GA, Alice Sloan Bond of Rock Hill, SC, Stella Hazel (Sam) of Walterboro, SC, Donald Hamburger (Betsy) of Charlotte, NC, and Charles David Hamburger of Mt. Pleasant, SC.  

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Elihu Smith, Jr. and parents, Carl Leo Hamburger and Eleanor Watson Hamburger. 

Her family is especially thankful for the comforting care provided by the Amedisys Hospice team over the last two weeks. 

A funeral mass will be held Friday, March 12, 2021 at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, Bluffton, SC at 10:30am, followed by burial at Ridgeland Cemetery, Ridgeland, SC at 12:30pm.  

Memorial donations may be made to the Isham and Mary Watson Descendants’ Association, 772 West Liberty Street, Sumter, SC 29150.  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Katherine Patricia (Hamburger) Smith, please visit our floral store.