Smithy Rich Sumter

Smithy Rich Sumter passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 13, 2015. She was born January 15, 1922 to the late Fred and Patcina Greene Rich in Florence, SC.

Smithy received an early education in the public school system of Florence County where she was a member of the Savannah Grove Baptist Church. She moved to Ithaca in the early 1950's where she married her beloved husband, James Sumter who died on March 20, 1986. Smithy had worked for the Bangs family for over 60 years. To Smithy the Bangs were her second family and the Bolgiano's her third family. She held both families dear to her heart. Smithy was a longtime member of the Calvary Baptist Church until her health began to fail.

Our beloved leaves a beautiful legacy to cherish. Her loving memories are brother, Ernest Rich of Baltimore, MD; nieces, Mary (James) Godfrey, Norma Jean Callawy and Lois George all of Baltimore, MD, Rosa Lee Wilder and Corrie Lee Gregg of Florence, SC, Annie Mae White of Detroit, MI, Carrie Lee Hinton of Anchorage, AK, Lula Mae James of Atwater, CA and Darlene (Cris) Brantly of Columbia, SC and nephews, Freddie (Lillie) George of Queens Village, NY, Moses (Virginia) Rich Jr. of Silver Springs, MD, James Lee George of San Diego, CA and Tyrone Rich and Ben Rich of Florence, SC.

Funeral services will be celebrated by Pastor Nathaniel Wright on Monday, September 21, 2015 at 11 a.m. at the Bangs Funeral Home. Interment will follow at the Frear Memorial Park. Friends may call prior to the service at the funeral home beginning at 10 a.m.