1925
2016
Sarah Elizabeth Carter Smith Gohery, age 91, passed away Saturday, September 24 at the Mitchell County Nursing and Rehab Center. Born on September 22, 1925, she was the youngest daughter of Benjamin Nolan Carter, long-time Mitchell County Attorney and Mary Eva Osborn.
A talented singer and pianist from a young age, Sarah was regularly a featured soloist at local social events. As a student at Colorado City High School, she played the cornet in the marching band, participated in the Choral Club, was a member of The Howl staff, and was senior class secretary.
Sarah met her future husband Cecil Smith when she was eleven years old. During WWII, Cecil served as a Mounted Marine, patrolling the Hawaiian coast. He returned home after that tour, and they married on April 17, 1944. He soon after headed to Camp LeJeune, NC, for training before he was sent with the Marines to the Pacific. After the war, Cecil began working for Ford Motor Company, and Sarah served as the Society Editor for the Colorado Record and later the Odessa American. In addition, she was a private piano teacher, all while raising three girls. In 1965, after the family moved to California, Sarah extended her musical talents as a cocktail pianist at several Los Angeles area clubs.
Sarah was an avid genealogist before there were personal computers. She had many successes and passed that passion for family history research to her daughters. She was a proud member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of the American Colonists, Colonial Dames of America XVII Century, a Forefather Member of the Swedish Colonial Society, Daughters of Indian Wars, and the United Daughters of the Confederacy.
After Cecil passed away, Sarah returned to her hometown in 1991. After being away from her hometown for almost 30 years, she became active in the community, performing with the Sweetwater Municipal Band and for several years, providing entertainment at local nursing homes, the Wallace Senior Center, as well as with a combo at the Annual Mitchell County Reunion.
She is survived by her husband of 20 years, John F. Gohery III of Colorado City, daughters, Cindy Smith of Valencia, CA, Sue Smith Parsons of Waterford, CA and Cheryl Smith McMillan of Burbank, CA, six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Sarah was preceded in death by her first husband, Cecil B. Smith, her parents, her sisters, Inez Hock, Louise Bollinger, and brothers, B.N. Carter, Jr., and Charles Carter.
A celebration of Sarah's life will be held on Thursday, September 29, 2016, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Kiker-Seale Funeral Home, 338 Locust Street, Colorado City, TX. Burial will be private. There will be an additional memorial in Burbank CA at a later date.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
5 Entries
September 27, 2016
Peggy Owens
Sarah will be greatly missed by all. My Mom and Sarah have been friends for over 70 years, and she will miss Sarah very much. Our prayers will follow you girls home, now and always. We love you all, Mom, Bob, Peggy, Jack and Terre.
September 26, 2016
Sue, Cindy, Cheryl and children, you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Steve and Caolyn
September 26, 2016
Heidi Carter Hauke
Cindy, cherry
Cindy Sherryl and Sue sorry to hear about your Mom. I have fond
Memories of all the great Thanksgivings we had in her house.
May she rest in peace.
Heidi Carter Hauke
September 26, 2016
Brenda Carter
My fondest memories as a kid, sending Thanksgiving at my Aunt Sarah's house. She was a very special lady, filled with kindness and love. Aunt Sarah you will always be in my heat. Please give my Grandparents , Momo and Popo in heaven all my love. Your with your brother and sisters in heaven now. Much Love, Brenda Lynn Carter
September 25, 2016
Richard Carter
I will always remember Aunt Sarah's kindness and that special smile. She will be greatly missed.
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