Freddie Lee Smith (Sanders) was born on April 9, 1943, in Brent, Alabama, to the late Ed and Mary Ann Sanders. She was affectionately known as "Cat" by her family and friends. Freddie accepted Christ at an early age.

She graduated from Bibb County High School in 1961.

In 1964, Freddie moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, to support her oldest sister, Emma, in caring for her child. Upon moving to Cincinnati, she joined Willing Spirit Baptist Church and later became a member of New Unity Baptist Church.

In 1968, Freddie met her husband, James Smith. They were married until his passing on November 3, 2015. Their union was blessed with a blended family: four sons and three daughters—James (JD), Jack (deceased), Ernest, and Anthony (Ant); Stephanie, Michelle, and Jennifer. Freddie was a devoted mother whose greatest joy and accomplishment in life were her children.

In her spare time, she enjoyed playing cards, assembling jigsaw puzzles, listening to Blues music, playing bingo, and playing board games with her children. She also loved watching television—especially shows like The Lone Ranger, Columbo, Game Show Network favorites, and football games.

Freddie was preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Mary Ann Sanders; her husband, James Smith; her son, Jack Smith; daughter-in-law, Carolyn Blackman; sister, Emma Hill; brother, George Sanders; and her sisters-in-law, Doris Sanders and Dallas Sanders.

She leaves to cherish her memory: her sons, James (JD) Smith, Ernest Smith (Victoria), and Anthony Smith (Lisa); her daughters, Stephanie Watson (Tom), Michelle Cooper (Terrence), and Jennifer Sanders; her two brothers, Arthur Lee Sanders and her twin brother, Eddie Lee Sanders; one sister-in-law, Henrietta Sanders; ten grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

Freddie will be remembered for her love of family, her strength, her kind spirit, and her unwavering faith in God. Her legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from 10:00 am until 11:00 am, on  Friday, November 21, 2025, at the Walker Funeral Home - Walnut Hills Chapel, 2625 Gilbert Avenue, Cincinnati  (45206).   The funeral service will immediately follow the visitation,  beginning at 11:00 am. Friends and family will gather to share memories, find solace in one another's company, and honor the legacy she leaves behind.

She will be laid to rest at Walnut Hills Cemetery, 3117 Victory Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45206.

We invite you to take a few moments to share fond memories and words of comfort and condolence with the Smith family. Please click the "Tribute Wall" icon above and to the right, enter the information, and click "Save Post."

Walker Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the Smith family during this difficult time.  Please call 513.251.6200 or visit www.HerbWalker.com for additional information.

You can visit Mrs. Freddie Lee Smith's late great husband, James D. Smith's, memorial page at https://www.herbwalker.com/obituary/James-Smith