LONNIE A. SMITH, age 80, of Calvert City, KY passed away on Monday, August 1, 2016 at Baptist Health in Paducah, Ky. Mr. Lonnie Smith was born in Marshall County on July 26, 1936 to Elza Ray and Hattie Mae Smith.
He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Mrs. Charlene June Barrett Smith of Calvert City, Ky. Lonnie and Charlene were married at Vaughn’s Chapel Cumberland Presbyterian Church in 1956. This loving relationship began in 1954 on the Tennessee River. Lonnie and his brother “Pete” met two sisters, Miss Shirley D. Barrett and Miss Charlene J. Barrett. The two brothers decided to marry these sisters and the rest is history! This family began a tight nit relationship of brothers and sisters and double cousins.
Lonnie and wife, Charlene, are members of Little Cypress Baptist church in Possum Trot, Kentucky.
Mr. Lonnie Smith began his life-long career in southern gospel music at the age of 7 with his three brothers; Charles “Pete” Smith, Joel Smith and Donald “Painter” Smith at Vaughn’s Chapel Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Possum Trot, Kentucky. That began a life-long ministry in gospel music which led to their group, The Smith Brothers Quartet. The four brothers traveled around Western Kentucky singing and spreading the gospel through song for many years. As a result, several children and family members have enjoyed following in their footsteps by singing gospel music and serving through song.
One of the highlights of Lonnie’s ministry was his Sunday morning radio program “That’s Gospel Brother” heard on WCBL every Sunday morning from 8:00-9:30. “That’s Gospel Brother” was the first “live” radio broadcast heard on WCBL back in 1969 when Mr. Shelby McCallum was owner and operator of the radio station. Mr. Jim Freeland, manager of WCBL, aired the program and the listening audience grew along with many great sponsors as the years went by. Now, Lonnie’s son, Mylon, with his co-host, Mitch Portis, is carrying on the tradition of “That’s Gospel Brother” on WCBL each Sunday morning.
Another highlight of Lonnie’s legacy was the singing career his son, Barry, and wife Sheri Copeland Smith, began with country music legend George Jones. Barry and his wife traveled the country with George and wife Nancy for six years. The Smith Brothers joined Jones on his last gospel album project and recorded “Life’s Railway to Heaven”. George would always say, “Those boys are real singers. I pretend to sing, but those boys can REALLY sing.”
Lonnie was also co-owner of C&L Construction Company for many years with his brother, Charles “Pete” Smith, working as contractors in Western Kentucky and the surrounding area. He also developed Sanctuary Building Systems with his son, Mylon Smith. Lonnie is listed and registered in the US Registry’s Who’s Who of Leading American Executives published in 1993. As owner of Sanctuary Building Systems, he worked as a construction contractor in the design and construction of new church buildings as well as renovations and remodels of existing sanctuaries. Lonnie and his wife, Charlene, also established Little Bo Peep Child Development Center in Calvert City, Kentucky in 1993. Their daughter, Misty, served as director of the facility and Little Bo Peep is now owned and operated by Jimmy and Connie Monroe.
Lonnie loved his family, friends and community, but most of all Jesus Christ. His love for others and his ministry often led him to quote Mrs. Vestal Goodman’s song, “Wouldn’t Take Nothing For my Journey Now”.
Lonnie Smith is survived by his wife, Charlene June Barrett Smith of Calvert City, KY; his sisters, Wanda Lambert of Calvert City, Sharon Dunigan and her husband Mickey of Possum Trot; his brother, Donald “Painter” Smith and wife Phyllis of Benton, KY; three sons, Daryl G. Smith and wife Angie of Gilbertsville, KY, Barry M. Smith and wife Sheri of Nashville, TN, Mylon T. Smith and wife Wendy of Possum Trot, KY. One daughter, Misty R. Green and husband Bobby of Calvert City, KY; thirteen grandchildren; Jessica Hicks, Carter Hicks, Sydney Smith, Aaron Smith, Adam Smith, Mindy Smith Jones and husband Justin, Madison Smith, Madeline Henson, Morgan Henson, Whitney Green, Emily Green, Kyle Sams and Cory Sams; and one great-grandchild, Jace Austin Monroe Jones.
He was preceded in death by his father, Elza Ray Smith and his mother Hattie Mae Ferguson Smith; two brothers, Joel Smith and Charles “Pete” Smith and one sister, Lucille Smith Lee; and one nephew, Monty S. Smith.
Funeral services will be at 11:00AM on Friday, August 5, 2016 at Filbeck-Cann & King Funeral Home. Bro. Johnny Minick, Bro. Barry Smith and Bro. Alan Miller will officate with Gospel singing by Johnny Minick and the Smith Family. Burial will follow in the Marshall County Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends from 2:00PM until 7:00PM on Thursday, August 4, 2016 at Filbeck-Cann & King Funeral Home. At 7:00PM a special celebration of Lonnie’s life will take place, with singing hosted by the Smith Family and Bro. Daniel Fraser officiating.