Mother Katie Rancher Smith

Her Legacy

To those Whom I Love and Those Who Love Me
When I am gone, release me, let me go
I have so many things to see and do
You must not tie yourself to me with tears
Be happy that I have had so many years

Mother Katie Rancher Smith was born on August 10, 1931 to Rev. Herbert Rancher and Mother Ida Dixon Rancher. She was the eldest of two girls born to that union.

She was baptized at an early age under the leadership of her Grandfather, Rev. Ned Rancher, Sr. as a member of True Vine Missionary Baptist Church and later under the leadership of her Father, Rev. Herbert Rancher.

She graduated as Salutatorian of her class from Richland Parish Training School. Later she attended beauty school and became a licensed beautician. She owned and operated “Katie’s Beauty Nook” at her home until her children were older and she could work out of the home. After closing her shop, she went to work at Richland Parish Hospital in the Nutrition Department as a cook and retired after 20 years. She was a musician for her church as well as various churches in and around Delhi and also taught music lessons out of her home. She retired and relocated to Detroit, Michigan where her sister and family resided. There she married Bro. Sylvester Smith. She joined Green Grove Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Luther Puckett and later under the leadership of Pastor Antonio Pitts. She served as a musician for New Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan under Pastor Love Joy Johnson’s leadership. After 35 years, she relocated to her hometown in Delhi, Louisiana.

She had many FAVORITE sayings “TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED,” “DARLING” “SUGAR BABY,” “I ONLY HAVE 1 GRANDSON.” She spent hours studying and reading God’s word. Her favorite verse was 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” We, the family often called on her for her Godly wisdom when we were in need, to know what to do. 

She was preceeded in death by her parents, her husband, and sister, Alber Dean King.

She leaves to cherish her memories: 3 daughters, Wanda Simpson of Delhi, Louisiana, Carolyn Carroll (Willie)of Las Vegas, Nevada, Yulonda Carroll (Victor) of Delhi, Louisiana; One Baby Sister, Linda Rancher; Five Grandchildren, Katresha Fuller (Craig), Shondra Thrower (Alex), Keysha Simpson, Na’Imah Carroll, and Kotambu Shabazz ( DuJuan Simpson); Thirteen Great-Grandchildren, Eight Great Great-Grandchildren, Three Nephews, Lonnie, Keith and Reggie King, Two Nieces, Beverly (Willie), and Stephanie, One Uncle, Willie Dixon – 105 years old (Grace) Oakland, Calif, and a host of other relatives and friends. 

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