Wallace Smith

Wallace R. Smith, 92, of Owingsville, Kentucky passed away Monday, August 10, 2020 at Ridgeway Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Owingsville.  He was born in Bath County, Kentucky, October 7, 1927 to the late Luther and Rose Wade Smith.

A righteous man does what is right, but a good man does even more, as indicated at Romans 5:7.  Wallace Smith was a good man.  It's easy to recall his endearing qualities; he was loyal, honest, dependable, hardworking, generous, hospitable and faithful.  Wallace was also a modest man who took great pleasure in simple things.  He loved the land, making things grow and enjoying its produce.  A huge garden was a tradition and he delighted in having food to share and inviting friends and family to his home for meals.  His favorite food was everything, including a cushaw sandwich, a joke taken with good humor.  He kept bees for awhile, and loved the hummingbirds that came back every year.  Once Della told him that feeding them was expensive, he asked "how much?", when she told him the cost of 5 lbs. of sugar, he said "I'll give up ice cream, so we can feed the birds".

Wallace worked hard to care for his family; wife and four sons.  He worked in Ohio for awhile at Fischer Body, he painted barns and silos, and worked as a mechanic for many years at the school bus garage in Owingsville, becoming a skilled mechanic.  He also farmed the land in Olympia that he had bought from his father.  Wallace proved his love for his family by his actions.  Although living on a modest income, he found ways to provide some fun for his boys, driving them to a pond to swim, taking them to the drive-in to see fireworks, taking them to Kings Island, or picnics at the co-op.

Wallace had a big heart, he was always ready to help someone in need.  Once, he drove 350 miles to rescue neighbors who had been stranded, helping them to get back home with their damaged vehicle.

As a young man, Wallace bought a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.  He kept it super clean, always shining its chrome.  He courted Della on that bike, even riding it in the winter.  They would go to town to see a movie, and then wind up giving a free ride back home to others, one time he had 3 passengers! Rumor has it that once, with his friend and future brother-in-law George, Wallace jumped the railroad track in Olympia on that Harley, with George standing on the seat behind him.  They caught enough air that a grown man could have stood under the bike.  Years later he strictly forbade his sons to get a motorcycle.

Having grown up on the farm, Wallace felt dogs should stay outside, but in later years he fell love with Jeff's dog, Panda.  One day he found Panda lying on his bed, she started to slink off, but he said "Panda, you can sleep on papaws bed anytime you want".

Wallace was always a Bible reader, a man who loved to study the Bible.  In the late 70's, he became one of Jehovah Witnesses.  Wallace put great faith in the Bible's promise of a wonderful future, everlasting life on a paradise earth.  He shared this hope, the good news of the kingdom, at every opportunity.  He also believed firmly in Jesus promise at John 5:28,29, which speaks about the upcoming resurrection of all those in the grave.

Wallace is survived by his wife of 69 years, Della; sons Melvin (Brenda), Rodney (Carolyn), Jeff, Daniel (Jackie), granddaughter Karen, brother Jimmy (Mary), his favorite niece, the daughter of his heart, Diane (Ronnie) Bailey, as well as many other nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews.

John 5: 28, 29. Do not be amazed in this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life.

Visitation at the Michael R. Gray Funeral Home in Owingsville from 2:00 P.M. until 4:00 P.M. Saturday, August 15, 2020.

A memorial service for Wallace will be held at a later date.

The Michael R. Gray Funeral Home in Owingsville is caring for all arrangements for Wallace R. Smith.