John Ellis Smith

John Ellis Smith, age 75, of Henderson, KY, passed away at 9:29 a.m. on Tuesday, August 15, 2023, at his home under the care of St. Anthony’s Hospice. John was a jack of all trades. He was a self-employed contractor. He worked in construction his entire life starting at the age of 9 under his fathers watchful eye. John worked up until June of this year. Many of those years were spent working with the Fruit brothers: Craig, Dwight, Perry; and his co-workers and very good friends. In addition to his parents Curtis and Margaret Smith, John was preceded in death by his son John Ellis Smith, Jr., daughter Saundra Lashel Smith, sister Evelyn Embry, and brothers James “Bimbo” Smith, and Terry Smith. John was a man of great faith. He dedicated his life to the Lord in 1997 and was ordained in 2001. He was pastor at Princeton General Baptist Church for 14 years. He drove 75 miles each way every week to fulfill God’s calling in Princeton, KY. Prior to his fulltime positions, John preached as needed at many churches in and around Henderson and also at both Redbanks Nursing Home and Henderson Manor. John is survived by his wife of 57 ½ years Judy Buckman Smith of Henderson, KY; daughter Karol Yvonne Smith of Henderson, KY; sisters: Pat Carter of Hebbardsville, KY, Marie Knott of Hebbardsville, KY, Teresa Buckman of Henderson, KY, Lena Yancy of Niagara, KY, Karen Baxter of Bluff City, KY, and Billie Jo Smith of Henderson, KY; brothers: Curtis W. Smith, Jr. of Henderson, KY, Jeff Smith of Henderson, KY, Jody Smith of Bluff City, KY, and Joby Smith of Uniontown, KY; 5 grandchildren: Yvonne Duncan (Jayde), Cassie Calvert (Chris), Angel Courtney, Derrick Smith, and Tiffany Smith; 10 great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are invited to John’s Life Celebration from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Friday and from 12:00 p.m. until the service time on Saturday, at Benton-Glunt & Tapp Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 19, 2023, at the funeral home with Reverend Billy Hatfield officiating. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Henderson, KY. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to St. Anthony’s Hospice, 2410 S. Green St., Henderson, KY, 42420. Arrangements entrusted to Benton-Glunt & Tapp Funeral Home, A Life Celebration® Home, online condolences may be made at www.bentongluntandtappfuneralhome.com

John Ellis Smith

December 14, 1947 - August 15, 2023