Clara Louise Smith

Clara Louise Martin Smith, the daughter of the late Henry and Tommie Martin, was born on August 22, 1936 in Drakesboro, Kentucky. She departed this life on May 18, 2018 at Baptist Health in Madisonville, Kentucky.

Clara married the late Charles E. Smith, Sr. in 1954. To this union, two sons were born: Charles and Christopher.

Clara accepted Christ at an early age. She truly was a devoted servant and was a longtime member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church where she served faithfully in many capacities. She was a loyal Steward of Mt. Zion Baptist Church and a member of the Cleo Taylor Missionary Society. She was a member of the Mt. Zion Sunday School, Adult Class #1 Women’s Class. She was a choir member of the Junior Choir, the Adult Choir, and the Sanctuary Choir. In addition, she was a member of the Mt. Zion Coffee Fellowship Study Group, the Wednesday Night Prayer Service and Bible Study Group as well as a member of the Pastor’s Travel Group.

Not only was she active with her church, but Clara was active in her community and the surrounding area. She was the treasurer of the NAACP chapter in Madisonville, Kentucky and was made an Honorable Kentucky Colonel on April 18, 2003. Finally, she was the Past Worthy Matron of Hagar Chapter #10 of the Order of the Eastern Star and a Daughter of Isis, Cawthor Court #68 in Evansville, Indiana.

Left to cherish her memory are her two sons: Charles Edward Smith, Jr. and Christopher Lynn Smith, Sr. – both of Atlanta GA; one brother, Wallace Martin of Central City KY; one sister-in-law, Bernice (Kenneth) Webb of Covington KY; a brother-in-law, Clifton (Wilma) Robertson of Washington D.C.; a special friend, Morrie Murray of Cleveland MS; eighteen grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.