Dr. Christina Smith

dr. christina smith

April 7, 1969 ~ August 31, 2019

Born in: Washington, DC
Resided in: Asheville, NC

Dr. Christina Smith, age 50, of Asheville, NC, passed away on Friday, August 31, surrounded by family, after a courageous battle with metastatic breast cancer.

“Kiki,” as she was known to her friends and family, is survived by her husband, Chris German, her husband of 23 years, and their two sons Sean (22) and Will (19); her parents Ann and Richard Smith (formerly of McLean, Virginia but recently of Asheville); her sister Jennifer E. Smith of Asheville; her sister and brother-in-law Julia and Jacob Caselli and their daughter, Sophia, of Swannanoa, NC; her sister-in-law Mary Manley and her husband Mark, and their children Ryan and Katie, of Charlottesville, VA; and her parents in-law, Glenn and Betty German of Midlothian, VA and Beverly German of Charlottesville, VA.

“Kiki,” as she was known to her friends and family, graduated from Cornell University and received her doctorate of optometry from Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. In preparation for optometry school, she completed coursework at Virginia Tech, where she and Chris met and fell in love.

Kiki loved hiking and camping in the Blue Ridge Mountains, playing and watching soccer, solving jigsaw puzzles, and strategizing to victory at board and card games. In her youth she was a beautiful figure skater. Kiki built a thriving optometry practice in Black Mountain from the ground up while raising Sean and Will. She also organized several optometric mission trips and traveled to many countries, including Grenada and Trinidad, to help bring better vision to the underserved. Like most things Kiki did, she treated her patients with skill and compassion.

Kiki experienced and accomplished many wonderful things in her too-short life. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend. Above all, what she treasured most was her two sons who brought her immense joy and pride. For those of us fortunate to know her, she was the most patient, generous and kind person we had ever met. To know Kiki was to love her, and so many loved her.

A memorial service to honor and celebrate Kiki’s life will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville on September 11, 2019 at 1:00 pm. A reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity International: VOSH-NC, Inc. 6123 Tarin Road, Wilmington, NC 28409 (VOSH-NC is a 501c3 non-profit organization).

Services

Memorial Service: September 11, 2019 1:00 pm

Unitarian Universalist Congregation
1 Edwin Place
Asheville, NC 28801


Reception: September 11, 2019 2:00 pm

Unitarian Universalist Congregation
1 Edwin Place
Asheville, NC 28801


Funeral Home Assisting The Family:

Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806

(828)252-3535
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com

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Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. Our sincerest condolences on the loss of a wonderful person and excellent optometrist. She will be sorely missed here in Black Mountain.

  2. So very sorry to learn of Christina’s death. She was so young and active and caring… I can’t imagine how much her family will miss her, As one of her many patients, I will miss her and I know that her staff will also. Life is too short for some people and Christina’s certainly was.

  3. Christina was a consummate professional but more importantly, a beautiful person. She provided us with excellent care throughout our years in Black Mountain. We will miss her.

  4. I am soooo sad to hear that Christina passed away. She was such a kind, caring person who was excellent at her practice. I will be praying for you, her family and friends.

  5. We’ve lost a highly competent professional and a kind, warm, and nurturing person. I can’t stop the tears as I think of the last time that I saw her when I had an eye exam last October. We experienced a special connection as we joked, trading notes about having survived treatment for cancer and she was proud as she pointed out how her hair had grown back after chemo. Moments like this, as I can picture her smile, I can’t help but wonder why I’ve been spared. Heartfelt condolences to her family.

  6. Dr. Smith was very special to so many patients in the area. Her gentle, compassionate nature combined with her expertise to make the perfect optometrist. We all felt as though we were more than patients; we were friends. I grieve for her family and friends. You are in my prayers.

  7. Dr. Smith was such a kind and sweet lady. A caring soul for her clients. She will be so missed in this her community, a truly highly respected and loved doctor and caring lady to all. She was our family eye doctor for years and we adored her for her kindness and caring professional knowledge. We send prayers to her family and close friends during this tragic loss. God Bless you Dr. Smith, you did well and our community has lost a wonderful person.

  8. So sorry to hear of her death. She was a wonderful, caring person who did so much to help others. She will be terribly missed. Love and prayers for all her family!

  9. We will miss Dr. Smith. She was such a wonderful and kind person, well beyond being our family eye doctor. We just saw her in April and remarked show fantastic she looked. She said she felt GREAT! So, so sorry to hear that her cancer returned and that she lost her valiant fight. So broken hearted to hear that she has passed away so suddenly. Our whole family sends their heart felt love and blessings to her family, children and to her wonderful staff in Black Mountain. What a true loss, of such a great person. You always felt so good, just to have been in her presence.

  10. I am so very sorry for your family’s loss. Dr. Smith was a lovely person and a great doctor! My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

  11. I returned to the area and found this. She was a wonderful Optometrist. My thoughts and prayers for her family and staff.


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