Cato "Smitty" Smith

Cato “Smitty” Smith passed away peacefully on August 27, 2015.

 He was born in Livingston, Tennessee, on May 24, 1915.  Smitty proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during WWII, where he achieved the rank of Master Sergeant and also pitched for the U.S. Army baseball team, during which time he had the opportunity to play ball with several of the great early legends of Major League Baseball, including Satchel Paige.  He was a long time farmer in Edinburg, Ohio.  Cato and Nola owned Bellows Cash Market for 50 years and relocated to Ira Avenue where they continued to serve their customers loyally until he passed.  He truly cherished serving his community and respected all his customers and friends.  Cato was a member of Brown Street Church of Christ.

Cato is survived by his wife of 69 years, Nola Rae; son, Michael; daughters, Billie Jo (M.C.) Haas, Cathy Ann (James) Peter, Janelle (William Pakan, M.D.) Pakan; grandchildren, Sara (Josh Taylor) Haas, Matthew (Courtney) Peter, Mary Peter, Dr. Laura Peter, D.O., Katie Peter, Lauren, Patrick and Paul Pakan; great grandchildren, Mason Cato Taylor-Haas and Mckenzie Taylor-Haas; nieces and nephews, Helen, Jackie, Ted, Sybil, Bill, Phillip, Sue Ann, Sammy, and Mark.

The family would like to thank Dr. Rasheed Neemer and his staff for their wonderful care.

Visitation will be 4 until 7 p.m. Tuesday, September 1, 2015 at the Donovan Funeral Home, 17 Southwest Ave. (On the Historic Tallmadge Circle).

Private Funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family.

Interment will be at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Akron Children’s Hospital Burn Unit, One Perkin Square, Akron, OH  44308.

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