Sills
WARE COUNTY — Mrs. Katherine Louise Sills Smith, 88, passed away Wednesday, May 20, 2026, following an extended illness.
She was born in Ware County to the late Joseph “Joe” Manning Sills and Avie Jordan Sills. Mrs. Smith was the owner and operator of Hebardville Printing Company for many years, and was a member of Hebardville Methodist Church.
In addition to her parents, she also was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, John Winston “J.W.” Smith, Sr.; a great granddaughter, Lyla Jane McKenzie; three sisters, Effie Scott, Grace Hooper, and Josephine Turner; and one brother, Edward Sills.
She is survived by three children, John W. Smith, Jr. (Karen) of Suwanee, Ga., William Joseph Smith (Nida) of Waycross, and Diane Croy (Steve) of Atlantic Beach, Fla.; six grandchildren, Dustin Smith (Laura), Winston Smith, Seth Smith (Meredith), Will Smith, Jr. (Bailey), Brett Croy, and Bailee Croy McKenzie (Mac); 10 great grandchildren, Madison Welch-Voltz, Sadie Smith, Cole Smith, Mary Claire Smith, Asa Smith, Sawyer Smith, Finlee Smith, Lilly Katherine Smith, Maeve Katherine Smith, and Cora Rose Smith; one sister, Colleen Barnard of Waycross; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. today (Wednesday, May 27) at Hebardville Methodist Church with the Rev. Dwayne Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Jordan Cemetery in Dixie Union.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online registry at www.musicfuneralhome.c om.
Music Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
