Cecil Smith, Sr.

Mr. Cecil Smith, Sr., age 91, of Kettle Island, Kentucky, entered his eternal heavenly home on May 4, 2022. He was born in Stinking Creek, Kentucky, on August 5, 1930, to the late George and Socia (Taylor) Smith. He was a disabled coal miner and proudly served as President of UMWA Local 781 of Wharton, West Virginia. He was an active member of Mill Creek Baptist Church and was baptized there on July 22, 1979. He loved his church family and enjoyed the wonderful fellowship there. During COVID, he remained faithful in attending church by utilizing the “drive-in” church option. He enjoyed gardening, tending to his flowers, bird watching, fishing, sitting on his porch, and riding his golf cart in the neighborhood. He was an avid University of Kentucky Wildcat fan. Most of all, he loved the Lord and his family, of whom he was extremely proud. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife and precious mother of his children, Ada Lee Smith, and his second wife, Theda Shumate Smith. All his siblings preceded him in death: sisters Goldie Ferguson and June Collett; brothers Reed, Earl, and Fred Smith. Step grandchild: Jeremy Miller. He and his wife Theda loved Southern Gospel music and attended the National Quartet Convention, Singing in the Sun, and other gospel singing events annually. Their favorite groups were Legacy Five and The Collingsworth Family. Cecil and Theda knew each member of those groups by name and could tell you a little something about each one. They traveled extensively and frequently talked about their adventures, especially about walking the Great Wall of China, cruising through the Panama Canal, visiting all 50 states, and cruising in Alaska and Hawaii. They were members of several travel groups when they lived in Augusta, Georgia. Cecil is survived by: Four sons: Gary (Lisa) Smith, Cecil (Carol Sue) Smith, Jr., Kelley Smith, and John (JoAnn) Smith Two daughters: Donna (Sturgill) Phipps and Shelley (Barry) Teague Step Children: Mike (Jeanette) Shumate and Janet (Chuck) Avrett Nine Grandchildren: Travis Phipps, Chris (Jessica) Phipps, Lincoln (Brittany) Smith, Amy Teague, Tyler Smith, Jonathan (Kayla) Teague, Amanda (Justin) Reed, Jordan (Kristen) Smith, and Velda Smith Five-Step Grandchildren: Jill (Phi) Synenberg, Jamie Miller, Rebecca (Matthew) Madrid, Elizabeth (Justin) NeSmith, and Lara Shumate. Step-Granddaughter-in-law Melanie Miller Fourteen great-grandchildren, ten-step great-grandchildren, three-step great-great-grandchildren Brother-in-law Don Collett and a host of nieces, nephews, neighbors, and friends A celebration of life will be conducted on Friday, May 6, 2022, at Mill Creek Baptist Church, with Pastor Jeremy Sanders and Rev. Ron Howard presiding. Music will be provided by Ron and Benny Howard, and a video of The Collingsworth Family. Pallbearers will be his grandsons. Honorary pallbearers will be the men of Mill Creek Baptist Church and two special helpers at his home, Harvey Elliott and Clarissa (Eric) Hubbard. The Smith family would like to extend sincere thanks to Dr. Martha Combs Woolum and the Bluegrass Care Navigators (Hospice) staff for their love and care for Mr. Smith. The family will receive friends at Mill Creek Baptist Church on Friday, May 6, 2022, from 4 pm until the funeral hour of 5 pm. Burial will be at Green Hills Memorial Garden, Middlesboro, Kentucky. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to: Cecil and Theda Smith Scholarship Fund at Gateway Christian School 1 Gateway Drive Middlesboro, Ky. 40965 Mill Creek Baptist Church 4778 Ky 221 Stoney Fork, Ky. 40988 Bluegrass Care Navigators 2972 US-25E Barbourville, Ky. 40906 St. Jude Children’s Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, Tn. 38105 If you spent any time around Cecil, you would hear his trademark phrase- “well, if that don’t beat all.” Some of his grandchildren secretly counted him saying it 24 times in one evening! The phrase has always been something the family laughed about and would say also honoring Grandpa Cecil/Papaw. Arnett & Steele Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Pineville is honored to serve the Smith Family. Light a candle of remembrance and sign the guest register at www.arnettsteele.com.