The Larry Smith Invitational Rook Tournament
Masel Cathleen Cooper Smith (1920-2008)

Growing Up in Belgreen, Alabama

Masel is a unique name and seemed to be the perfect one for a unique woman. She was born the youngest of 11 children to Jack and Alice Hester Cooper on September 22, 1920. She was reared in Belgreen (population 200), Alabama, in what we would consider as abject poverty today. Her father was a poor sharecropper with little education. Her mother, Alice, was from a devoutly religious family and tried to steer her family toward a spiritual direction.

Masel's mother died when she was the tender age of 13. Even though her father was still living, her older brother, Bud, and wife, Ruth brought her to live in their home, which was just blocks from the Belgreen school and church of Christ where her family had faithfully worshipped for three generations. Growing up in rural Alabama was difficult, especially during the depression. Masel learned housekeeping from Ruth and earned an income by doing chores for others in the community.

Masel was a fiery redhead with a tall, curvaceous figure. During high school, she had her sights set on Larry Columbus Smith, whose father owned the general store, lumber company and cotton gin in that small community. Larry was a charismatic young guy who was liked by everyone - especially the young ladies. Masel was determined to be his bride. On August 30, 1941, Masel and Larry married. They soon assumed the responsibility of caring for Larry's invalid father and two young siblings, Cherry and Ida.

Russellville, Alabama

World War II brought enormous changes for the young couple. After 1942 when their daughter Sandra June was born, Larry received a temporary deferment from military service to work in the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company in Akron, Ohio. On October 1, 1944, Larry was drafted into the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged in April 21, 1946. Masel kept the home fires burning brightly in Russellville, while she continued caring for her daughter, Larry's father and anyone else who needed her.

After the war, Larry and his brother-in-law became partners in the Franklin Lumber Company, while Masel worked in the Russellville Flowercraft. Larry became an elder of the Washington Avenue Church of Christ in 1963 as Masel "well reported for good works bringing up children, lodging strangers, washing the saints' feet, relieving the afflicted and following every good work."

Senior Living in Georgia

After Larry's health began to decline and the couple moved to Alpharetta, Georgia, in 1985 to be near their younger daughter, Paula Hovater, and her family in Roswell. Masel and Larry continued their active participation in the local church, Embry Hills Church of Christ, becoming perhaps the oldest members of the congregation and where almost everyone called them Grandmother and Granddaddy. Masel repeated the same good works in Georgia.

Masel died at age 87 on Monday, March 31, 2008. She is survived by daughters; Mrs. Sandra S. Hayes and her husband Wallace of Andover MA, and Mrs. Paula S. Hovater and her husband Rodney of Roswell, Georgia; five grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. She will rest in peace with the Lord.