Kate Louise Smith Spurgeon left a lasting legacy of love behind when she gained her wings and moved to heaven on August 2, 2025, at the age of 91 years.
Kate was born in Grant, Alabama on May 30, 1934, to her parents, Alonzo and Mollie Franks Smith. She was the youngest of 7 children in her family. She, along with her siblings, were taught many important things about life; to name a few were possessing a dedicated work ethic, to show love and respect to others, and to experience God’s grace, mercy and faithfulness. Her upbringing caused her to build her life’s foundation based on love, kindness and faith. Family was such a strong and leading factor in her life. One of her brothers brought a friend, Roy Spurgeon, home one day to share dinner with their family. This 23 year old handsome young man from Birmingham noticed the 13 year old pretty girl right away and young Kate certainly developed an eye for him as well. Two years later on September 2, 1949, they were married at her sister’s home in Huntsville. Their marriage was strong and durable, just like the brick fireplace that served as the backdrop for their exchange of wedding vows. They were blessed to be married for 63 years at the time of Roy’s homegoing in 2013. In just a few days, they will celebrate their union united together once again and forevermore.
Kate was raised to keep God at the center of her life and to enjoy His richest blessings to the fullest. In 1951, she received the Holy Ghost at age 17 and from that point forward, she lived her life in the holiness faith. Through the years, she attended services and gospel singings at many churches in Marshall and surrounding counties. God’s word talks about a virtuous woman in Proverbs 31; Kate patterned her life in obedience with this scripture. Cloud’s Cove Holiness Church was her home church at the time of her passing.
Kate and Roy started their married life together living in Jefferson County at Tarrant City, where both of their daughters were born. They also resided in Pinson for a few years before returning to Grant to live in her old homeplace with her mother. She would live out the remainder of her life in that home that was rooted in deep love. Kate was a dedicated wife, great mother and a doting grandmother. She considered her family as one of her greatest accomplishments. She shared special moments with each one and made memories that they will treasure always.
Kate enjoyed many things such as cooking, painting, playing the piano, singing hymns, gardening, canning, cross stitch, and sewing her daughters’ clothes as they were growing up. She was industrious in all things, especially in taking care of her children and then her grandchildren. She was a nurturer and caretaker in the truest sense of the word. She was known for preparing many wonderful dishes. Everyone sought out her chocolate pie at gatherings, and her family especially enjoyed her fried peach pies and homemade biscuits and gravy. She delighted in preparing family meals; and this fellowship was a weekly occurrence at her home. She pleasured herself in fixing her everyone’s favorite dishes and if you were fortunate enough to dine with her, you knew that she was a marvelous cook.
Kate was a very hard worker. Her late husband always jokingly said that he couldn’t work under her as his boss because she always labored from “can to can’t”. She was, first and foremost, a homemaker but served in several public jobs as well. She worked at Wal Mart and also with the Marshall County Board of Education. She served in many roles in the school system: a lunchroom lady, a Title 1 teacher’s aide, and an aide on the handicap bus. She retired and ended her career on the bus, where she made such a notable difference in the lives of many students; she loved and cared for each child like they were her own.
Kate will be remembered in a special way and missed deeply by all that knew her. She was most fond of the color blue so her family asks that when you look to the heavens and see God’s beautiful creation of a blue sky, please thank Him for her and her life.
Kate leaves behind a family that will miss her terribly until they join her. She is survived by: two daughters and one son in law, Carolyn Turnbow and LaVonne (Leon) Castle; one granddaughter and grandson in law, Kari (Joshua) Click; six great grandchildren, Travis Castle, Mollie Castle, Ryan Click, Jordan Click, Canaan Click and Kyler Click.
In addition to her husband, Roy, she is preceded in death by her parents, Alonzo and Mollie Smith; three sisters, Idessa Troup, Cumi Nuby and Florence Dennis; three brothers, O.A. Smith, Leon Smith and Henry Smith; and one grandson, Kevin Castle.
Visitation will be Wednesday 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm at New Hope Funeral Home. Services will be held at New Hope Funeral Home Chapel, Thursday at 11:00 am with Bro. Wayne Walls, Bro. Leon Castle, Bro. Shirley Byrum and Bro. Edwin Spurgeon officiating. Pallbearers will be Ryan Click, Jordan Click, Tony Denton, Jonathan Keel, Donald Spurgeon and Keith Click. Honorary pallbearers are Travis Castle, Canaan Click, Kyler Click, Thomas Lawson and Gary Troup.
Interment will be in Free Home Cemetery.
The family wishes to express appreciation to everyone that has helped through the last weeks and months in any way; please know that your kindness will never be forgotten. A special thanks is extended to Shepherd’s Cove Hospice for the exceptional care that they provided. Memorial donations can be made to Shepherd’s Cove Hospice at 408 Martling Road, Albertville, AL 35951.
