Organ Prelude 
Processional 
Hymn of Comfort 
The Old Testament Scripture 
Gloria Patri 
Affirmation of Faith 
The New Testament Scripture 
Prayer of Comfort 
Selection 
Resolutions 
Acknowledgements 
Obituary 
Selection Sermon.................................Pastor John W. Ribbins, III 
Calvary Hill Missionary Baptist Church Cleveland, 0 hio 
Recessional 
Interment Pinelawn Memorial Park Farmingdale, New York 
 
When I Jvlus Leave you 
When I must leave you for a little while Please do not grieve and shed wild tears And hug your sorrow to you through the years, But start out bravely with a gallant smile; 
And for my sake and in my name, Live on and do all things the same. Feed not your loneliness on empty days But fill each waking hour in useful ways. Reach out your hand in comfort and in cheer, And I, in turn will comfort you and hold you near. And never, never be afraid to die, For I am waiting for you in the sky. 
 
Pall Bearers 
 
Robert L. Jones 
 
Kelvin Davis 
 
Darryl Green 
 
Donald Atkins 
 
Laverne Vines 
 
Dwight Christopher 
 
Kocedral Wright 
 
Acknowledgments 
The family of Kathleen B. Smith would like to express our sincere appreciation for the many kind and beautiful expressions of sympathy and love shown during our time 
of bereavement. 
Funeral Arrangements Entrusted to: Paul Lane Funeral Home, Inc. 
115-33 Sutphin Blvd. Jamaica, NY 11434 
(718) 659-6260 
www. paullanefuneral.com 
Designed by Paul Lane Funeral Home Inc. 
 
A Celebration ofLife for 
 
SUNRISE 
AUGUST 10, 1939 
 
SUNSET 
AUGUST 9 , 2004 
 
Service 
Jriday, -.AuguJl I 3th, 2004 
8:00pm 
Rush Temple A.M.E. Zion Church 
119-48 Sutphin Boulevard Jamaica, New York 11436 Rev. A. Alfred Carson, Pastor 
 
Pastor John W. Ribbins III, Officiant Calvary Hill Missionary Baptist Church 
Cleveland, Ohio 
 
 "I have officially changed my address to Heaven and I bid this world a fondfarewell. I will live forever with my Jesus in my new home way beyond the sky. " 
Xat/i{een ~. Smit/i was born August 10, 
1939 to Louise and the late Marcellous Swinson, Sr. She was reared and educated in the Greene County Public School System in Snow Hill, North Carolina. She accepted Christ as her Savior at an early age, and became a member of the Junior Choir at Invitation A.M.E. Zion Church. 
Our beloved sister married her High School sweetheart, James M. Buckrham, Sr., and to this union three children were born- Clifton Garry (who preceded her in death), James Marcus, Jr. and Karen Jay. 
Kathleen was a vibrant young lady who was always motivated to succeed. She enrolled in York College and pursued studies in Housing and Urban Development. She was always contemplating ways to bring about change to her environment, and community revitalization was her passion. Kathleen received numerous awards and citations for her contributions in this area. 
A short time later "Miss B", as she was called, decided to seek a new career and joined the staff of Baisley Day Care Center in 1972. Seeing immediately that she could make a difference in the lives of children by developing and cultivating young minds, she took to the path of Early Childhood Development by enrolling at Queens College. 
Kathleen retired in 1987 from Baisley - AKA Day Care and relocated to Cleveland, Ohio after marrying Elton Smith. Never one to be idle, she immediately secured a teaching position at True Sisters Child Care Center. During her nine year tenure she met a multitude of colleagues and friends, but her students were her prized possession. 
 
Always seeking a new challenge, her professional experience took her to C.E.O.G.C. - Lee Seville Head Start, where she taught and motivated young children from 1996 unti I her death. Mrs. Smith was revered as "Mother" by her colleagues. She always took the time to encourage the staff and she expressed how important it was to get involved. Bringing educational resources to young minds was her top priority and planting a garden was important as well . Leaving a legacy of seedtime and harvest was a goal of this exercise and she believed it was a lesson learned well by all. 
Sister Smith joined Calvary Hill Baptist Church in 1987 under the pastorate of the late Rev. William Z. Bivens. She was actively involved in serving the Lord. She presided over the Deaconess Ministry, and was a beloved Sunday School teacher and Assistant Superintendent. She gave invaluable service to the Missions Ministry, leading teams to the Angeline Home every month. She was also the treasurer for Women for Jesus Conference. 
Kathleen was an entrepreneur. She owned and operated a transportation service. She provided her friends and neighbors with a warm smile and round trip ride to the subway. She was also known for creating the one stop theatrical experience. She embraced culture and wanted to share her love of the theatre with all those dear to her. She not only supplied reasonably priced tickets but she also provided round trip car service to and from the shows. 
Kathy as many called her was recognized as an enterprising spirit. She was always on the cutting edge of current events. She had a keen fashion sense and loved the finer things in life. Kathleen was health conscious; she was an independent sales distributor for Shaklee Vitamins. She believed that diet and exercise were synonymous with longevity. 
Known as Aunt Leen by her nieces and nephews she loved to cater and entertain. She was always the life of the party. Smiling and expressing herself with her hands were her trademark. She loved to bake and she would make everything from scratch. Her sweet potato pies were her 
 
specialty. Sister Kathleen loved the Lord and it was her desire that 
all those she knew would be saved. Assembling with the saints was imperative to Kathleen. She decided to join Rush Temple A.M.E. Zion Church in the early 1960's. She was a member of Class #1 and served as the President of the Senior Choir in the early 1980's. 
Kathleen was also active with the G.C.T.S. Alumni Association. She enjoyed attending and hosting the monthly meetings. Each year she would return to her hometown and participate in the school reunion . Her most memorable experience was dressing up like Tina Turner and lip syncing to " What's Love Got To Do With It." 
Kathleen was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Linda Lee and her brother, Marcellous Jr. (Barbara Jean Swinson). 
She leaves to cherish her memory, son James Marcus (Annette), daughter Karen J.; three granddaughters, Amaris Li, Kayla Joi and Nyah Gabrielle all of Jamaica, New York; Goddaughter, Rita Christopher; her mother, Louise B. Swinson of Snow Hill; six sisters, Mercie Edwards (Lafayette), Jeanette Parks (Wilbert), Edwina Exum (Leaman), Mallie Smith, Billie Vines, and Wanda Burt (Charles); three brothers, Charles (Shirley), Henry and Quentin (Bernice); Adopted children, Sharon G. Webb, Alan Lynch, Hil Smith; and a host ofnieces, nephews, cousins and friends . 
~~ TheF7 ami~ ly ~ ~