Cheri A. Smith, 75

  • Cheri A. Smith, 75
    Cheri A. Smith, 75

Funeral services for Cheri A. Smith, 75, of Kennebec, SD were held Saturday, March 2, 2024 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Kennebec, SD with burial in St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery at Kennebec, SD.

Visitation was Friday at with a scripture/rosary service at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Kennebec, SD.

February 27, 2024, the sun had already set, and Cheri rose with the snow moon to her Lord and Savior. Cheri passed away feeling the love of her husband and daughter at St. Mary’s Healthcare in Pierre, SD.

Cheri Ann Pate was born October 19, 1948 to Raymond and Bernice (Hinz) Pate at Hot Springs, SD. She attended grade school in Newcastle WY, a year at St. Martin’s Catholic School in Rapid City before returning and graduating in 1966 from Newcastle High School. Cheri went on to earn her Bachelors degree in Secondary Education and moved to Kennebec, SD.

While living with Everet and Margery Fletcher, she began her teaching career at the Lower Brule Elementary which she did from 1968 until 1971. On July 1, 1971, she married her one true love, Wayne Smith, and to this union they had their daughter Tamala “Tam” Smith. During this time Cheri stayed home to raise their daughter and work on the family farm.

Cheri began working at the Lower Brule Headstart in 1985 and continued until 2023. On June 7, 2023 the Lower Brule Tribal Council honored Cheri for her dedicated service to the community.

Cheri’s heart has always been in Lower Brule, she was part of the committee that started the annual Family Unity Day in Lower Brule; she loved seeing the children happy. She genuinely loved all the children she taught over the years.

Cheri also enjoyed planting flowers and sewing in her spare time. She was a kind soul who loved life, loved her job and her family. She was a great mother to Tam, taking her to appointments and many hours on the road with her to Rapid City or Sioux Falls. She had a special place in her heart for her god daughter Maleighya Estes.

Her sweet smile will be missed by everyone.

Gratefully sharing her life are her husband Wayne of Kennebec, SD; daughter Tamala “Tam” of Pierre, SD; a brother Dennis and Connie Pate and children of Gillette, WY; a sister-in-law Janet Pate of Las Cruces, NM; aunt Mabel Hinz; and several nieces, nephews, and friends. Preceding her in death were her parents and her brother Joe Pate.