Clarence A. "Smackum" LaRue

Clarence A. “Smackum” LaRue went to be with the Lord on December 12, 2024, under the care of St. Anthony’s Hospice and his daughter and caregiver, Teresa LaRue. Clarence was born in Smith Mills, Kentucky on December 9, 1937, to the late Woodrow and Myrtle LaRue. He was a family man who worked hard to provide for his wife and children. Clarence was an active member of New Hope Baptist Church and served as a deacon. He was a skilled mechanic with exceptional work ethic. Clarence was also a Kentucky Colonel. He worked as a farmer, oil field worker, and retired from Alcan Aluminum after 33 years of service. Clarence loved hunting and growing a big garden each year and giving most of it away to family and friends. In addition to his parents, Clarence was preceded in death by two sisters Patsy Bradham and Annie Townsend, one grandson Cody Glenn Belt and two great-grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of 66 years Joyce LaRue; four children: Lisa Fuller (Kim), Greg LaRue (Amy), Teresa LaRue, and Kathy Belt (Rodney) all of Henderson, KY; eight grandchildren: Leslie Powell (William), Kelli Ewing (Ricky), Adam LaRue, Kyle Fuller (Lily), Cory Belt, Brendan Belt, Jessica Larew (J.D.), and Sara Beth Bickett (Payne); siblings: Benita Jones, Newman LaRue, Ronald LaRue, Evanna Joyce Monroe, Janice Bond, and Gladys Pfender; ten great-grandchildren and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. Relatives and friends are invited to Clarence’s Life Celebration from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Monday and from 9:00 a.m. until the service time on Tuesday at Benton-Glunt & Tapp Funeral Home in Henderson. The funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at the funeral home with Reverend Jerry A. Barron officiating with a scripture read by Brother David A. Simpson. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Henderson, KY. Pallbearers will be his grandsons: Adam LaRue, Kyle Fuller, Cory Belt, Brendan Belt, William Powell, and Ricky Ewing. Honorary pallbearers will be Larry “Boot” Alexander, Karl Dawson, Albert Sutton, and Lynn Ligon. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Ida, Lindsey, and Sidney for taking such good care of Clarence. 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. Please visit www.bentongluntandtappfuneralhome.com to share memories and words of comfort with Clarence’s family.

Clarence A. "Smackum" LaRue

December 9, 1937 - December 12, 2024