Kenneth “Ray” Smith

Kenneth “Ray” Smith, 79, of Whitley County, passed away on Tuesday, October 25, 2016 at Baptist Health Corbin.

Born at Kettle Island in Bell County, Ray was the son of the late Matt Smith and Ellen Hubbs Smith. He had been a coal miner and was Baptist by faith. He loved racing, especially NASCAR.

In addition to his parents, Ray was preceded in death by his siblings, Ruby Johnson, Les Smith, Lee Smith, Eula Jane Miles, and Archie Herman Smith.

He is survived by six children: Elizabeth Coe (Boyd) of Corbin, Cathy Jenkins (Vic) of Corbin, Jennifer Smith of Lily, Justeen Nantz (Jimmy Hoffman) of Corbin, Kenneth Ray Smith, Jr. (Diane) of Corbin, and B.J. Karr (Brad) of Georgetown, KY; special step-children of Arizona Jenkins Leisure; siblings Jewell Goodman and Tena Hall Campbell (Ray) of Corbin, Clyde Smith (Jean) of Indiana, and Wilma Sweenty of Detroit; 16 grandchildren; a host of great-grandchildren; and several; special nieces and nephews, all to mourn his passing.

Funeral services were held Saturday, October 29, at Vankirk-Grisell Funeral Home.

Burial was in the Sharp Cemetery at Jacks Fork, KY.

Vankirk-Grisell Funeral Home of Corbin is in charge of the arrangements, where messages can be written to the family at www.vankirkgrisellfuneralhome.com.