Kathryn Ezelma Nimrod Smith, transitioned after a long illness on Jan. 10, 2021, at home, in Silver Spring, Md.

Kathryn was born on March 30, 1932, in Hartshorne, Okla. to the late Edith Fleming and Freeman Nimrod. At the age of 12, she moved to Canton, Ohio with her mother and siblings. A graduate of  Canton McKinley High School, she became one of the first black operators for Ohio Bell Telephone Co.  Rising to management in human resources, she retired after 30 years of service. Kathryn worked for Canton's Dept. of Education Literacy Program for 10 years.

Married to Joseph N. Smith for almost 40 years, they shared three children: Kipp D. Smith (deceased); Philip Smith (stillborn) and Robin Smith (Silver Spring, Md.)   A lover of all things beautiful, she was a gifted seamstress, maker of stained glass and ceramics.

She is predeceased by her parents and siblings: Raymond Powell, Leontyne Floyd, Hazel Flowers (died in infancy), Doris Hutchinson, Alfred Nimrod, Bernadine Thomas and Joyce Guy.  Kathryn leaves behind her daughter Robin, grandson Ernest Vance IV, great-granddaughter Isabella Vance, niece Connie Carter (Nashville, Tenn.), a host of family and friends.