MILDRED SMITH

WYATT, Mo. -- Mildred Smith, 90, of Wyatt died Sunday, July 16, 2000, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

She was born Sept. 6, 1909, in Mississippi County, daughter of Ulysses Grant and Julia Teresa Norris Raffety. She and E. Fred Smith were married Dec. 26, 1931. He died May 20, 1970.

Smith lived in Mississippi County all her life and was a former teacher. She was secretary of Raffety and Co. 56 years.

In 1997 she was appointed to the board of directors of the Public Water Supply District of Mississippi County, and was instrumental in pursuing public water supply for rural areas.

She received recognition from the Missouri House of Representatives in 1993 as a "race walker" with the World Championship Competitions, Senior Division. She competed worldwide and at age 84 received a silver medal at the 10th World Veterans Championships held in Japan, and at age 86 received a gold medal in Buffalo, N.Y.

Smith was a member of St. Henry's Catholic Church in Charleston, Mo. She was a member of Charleston Business and Professional Women's Club, and was a past president and district director.

Survivors include a brother, Hunter Raffety of Wyatt.

She was preceded in death by a son and a brother.

Friends may call at McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston from 5-8 p.m. today. A prayer service will be held at 7.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Henry's Church, with the Rev. Gerald Brown officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.