Mrs Sarah C. Smith

Sarah 'Sally' (Church) Smith, a lifelong resident of Bristol, died on Thursday, August 4, 2011 in Tiverton, R.I. Sally was born on January 18, 1920. She was married to Maurice Colby Smith III for 63 years until the death of her beloved 'Smitty' in 2004. She is survived by her four children: M. Colby Smith, IV of Swansea, MA and his wife, Jane; Stephen Church Smith of Assonet, MA, and his wife Maria; Susan Gorham Terhune of Barrington, and her husband Stephen; and David Warren Smith of Tiverton, and his wife Connie; 12 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Sally Smith was directly descended from Mayflower passenger Richard Warren; from Benjamin Church of King Philip's War fame, and from the John Gorham, the first European settler of Bristol. She was born to Edward Payson Church and Julia (Gorham) Church, the first female school teacher in Bristol. Sally's given name was Sarah but she was known as Sally her entire life. She attended Colt Memorial High School in Bristol, graduating at the top of her class at age 16 in 1936. In high school, she met Maurice Colby Smith III, her future husband. She graduated from Katherine Gibbs School in Providence in 1938. Throughout most of her life, Sally was active in the First Congregational Church of Bristol, often in charge of the annual church bazaar and the flower committee. For years, she hosted dinner parties and the weekly rehearsal of the church orchestra at her home, 'Rockledge'. She was also active in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Bristol Historical Society, Bristol Female Charitable Society, the Bristol Children's Home, Blithewold and Linden Place. When all four children were on their own, Sally and Maurice embarked on a new venture in retail, opening Capricorn Crafts in Barrington, which they ran together until 1986. Upon retiring, they traveled together extensively internationally and to all 50 states. Throughout their life together, Sally and Maurice continued to host ever larger family gatherings (known as FATs - Family All Together). Sally lived by her strong convictions and her family and friends will miss her greatly. Funeral services will be private. Her family encourages donations in Sally's memory to her two of her favorite organizations: First Congregational Church of Bristol, 281 High Street, and Rogers Free Library, 525 Hope Street, both Bristol, RI 02809. For online condolences, shared memories, information please go to www.sansonefuneralhome.com

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