Clyde “John” Smith, 80, of Olive Hill, Kentucky, crossed over into his eternal home on Friday, June 24, 2022.
Born February 9, 1942, in Carter County, Kentucky, the last of the lineage, he was a son of the late Clarence Smith and Ada Lawson Smith Henderson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Johnnie Allen Smith; a daughter, Kimberly Renee Smith; five sisters, Barb Gillum, Tippy Harper, Ruby Cline, Elizabeth “Lizzy” Offill, and Helen “Sissy” Price; and a brother, Clarence Smith, Jr.
He is survived and cherished by his devoted wife of 59 years and nine months, Wanda Louise Stevens Smith; daughter, Shannon Leigh Smith-Stephens (Recole Stephens); granddaughter, Rhiannon Hope Greer; great-grandchildren, Adley Hope and Emmett Allen Greer; and beloved fur babies, Duchess Grace and Oscar P.
Clyde was loved and adored by so many. When you heard that deep, gravelly voice, you always knew there was something worthwhile about to be said. His big, contagious smile and laugh was welcoming, even to a stranger. Clyde was of the Baptist faith and member of First Baptist Church of Grayson, Kentucky. He was employed as a miner and coal tipple maintenance operator at Wolf Creek Collieries and quarry foreman at Mountain Enterprise.
His joys and favorite pastimes included serving as protector and guardian of his family, eating and fellowshipping with friends, farming and counting his cattle, riding the grounds on his Gator and steed, Desperado, and gardening. A piece of our soul was taken when he left this Earth on Friday afternoon. While we may be tearful and mourning here, he is riding and tending the fields of Heaven as our fearless protector watches over us during our stay here on Earth.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 29, 2022, at Northcutt and Son Home for Funerals, with Brother Josh Schmidt and Brother Eddie Wiler officiating. Entombment will follow in the Smith-Stephens Family Cemetery in Grahn, Kentucky.
Pallbearers: D. Recole Stephens, Jason Carroll, Kevin Maddix, Leon Hart, Jerry Mollett, and Phillip “Hank” Roe. Honorary pallbearers: Billy Williams, Mike Williams, Isaac Pickett, Brent Greene, and Jan Evans.
Friends may visit from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, June 28, 2022, and after 9 a.m. on Wednesday at Northcutt and Son Home for Funerals, 400 Fraley Drive, Morehead, Kentucky. 40351.
“He truly lived til he died”
