Kate Smith An American Treasure
WRAL News anchor Charlie Gaddy produced/wrote this documentary about Kate Smith, “Songbird of the South,” that aired June 1986. Smith may be best known for her rendition of the song “God Bless America.” In 1982, President Ronald Reagan awarded Smith with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America’s highest civilian honor.
On June 17, 1986, Smith died at the age of 79 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Charlie Gaddy served as a pallbearer at her funeral.
Documentary credits: Jay Jennings – Associate Producer/Editor, Bob Gubar – Post Production Director, Kevin Duffus – Studio Director, Art Anderson and Doug Peedin – Studio Design.