Nina Catherine (Kay) Smith, 93, passed away in Midland, Texas on January 14, 2026. She was born March 17,1932 in Pittsburg, Kansas. She graduated from Pittsburg High School and entered the University of Kansas where she received a Music Education Degree. After graduation, she moved to Denver, CO where she taught music in an ElementaryContinue Reading
Nina Catherine (Kay) Smith, 93, passed away in Midland, Texas on January 14, 2026. She was born March 17,1932 in Pittsburg, Kansas. She graduated from Pittsburg High School and entered the University of Kansas where she received a Music Education Degree. After graduation, she moved to Denver, CO where she taught music in an Elementary School for two and a half years. While teaching in Denver, she continued correspondence with George Smith with whom she had dated in college. They married in 1957, and then moved to Morgan City, Louisiana.
She started her career teaching piano and, in the summers, teaching swimming. After three years in Morgan City, they were transferred to Lake Charles, Louisiana where she directed a Youth Choir at the Presbyterian Church for seven years, was a member of the Junior League, PEO Sisterhood and Music Club. She continued many of these activities after they were transferred to New Orleans, Louisiana. After moving to Midland, she retired from twenty-one years of teaching piano. She sang in the First Presbyterian Church Choir and served as director when needed. She, with the help of the Parks Department and other tennis players, organized the Midland Women’s Tennis Association which grew from initially 20 women to over 175 within the first year. She was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumnae, Theunis Dey Chapter of DAR, Fortune 20 Investment Club, Los Cochinos Dinner Club and Chapter DD of PEO. She was involved in the Pet Therapy program with her Boxer dogs, Robo, Rowdy and Kassie visiting various facilities around Midland. She also enjoyed snow skiing, scuba diving, tennis and playing bridge. Spending time with family was a high priority and gave her great joy.
Kay was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, George. She is survived by her daughters; Katherine Lin and her husband, Bo, and Margaret Zimmerman and her husband, Dale. In addition, she is survived by four grandsons; Neil Zimmerman and his wife Jane, David Zimmerman and his husband Tom, George Lin and his wife Sara, Andrew Lin and his wife Sarah and three great grandchildren; Diana Zimmerman, Wesley Zimmerman and Henry Lin.
The family would like to thank Kay’s caregivers, Roberta Rose, Sonja Lide, Monica Banks and Jessica Gardea for their loving and compassionate care of Kay.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 2:00 PM in the Chapel of First Presbyterian Church, 800 W. Texas Ave. Midland.
If you would like to make a donation in Kay’s memory, please consider First Presbyterian Church of Midland 800 W. Texas Ave. Midland, Texas 79701 or Midland Humane Coalition P.O. Box 53213 Midland, Texas 79710.
To send flowers to the family or place a tree in memory of Nina "Kay" Catherine Smith, please visit our Tribute Store.
Trinity Baptist Church
left a message on February 23, 2026:
Your condolence may need to be approved before it appears on this page. It may not appear immediately once submitted.
Trinity Baptist Church
left a message on February 23, 2026:
Your condolence may need to be approved before it appears on this page. It may not appear immediately once submitted.
Thank you for leaving a condolence..
Your comment has been submitted for moderation.
