Walter Russell Smith

Walter Russell Smith, age 74, of Manchester, Kentucky departed this life at home on Sunday, May 11, 2025.  He was born on Thursday, July 20, 1950 to Tip and Mable Stewart Smith in Oneida, Kentucky.  

Walter Russell Smith was employed by General Motors as an assembly line worker at the Lakewood plant in Atlanta, Georgia for 22 years.  Russell relocated to General Motors in New Orleans, Louisiana for 6 months; and he transferred to the Lakewood plant in Atlanta, Georgia.  Also, he moved permanently to Manchester, Kentucky.  He also worked for the Clay County Board of Education as a janitor at Goose Rock Elementary School.

Russell loved God, family, friends, neighbors, community, and the Old Indian Grave Branch United Baptist Church. He was always willing to accommodate church, friends, neighbors, day, evening or night. He was blessed with his grandchildren, Kylie, Natalie, Lane, and loved them dearly. He enjoyed ATVs; and was a devoted UK basketball fan. 

Russell’s favorite restaurants were Dairy Queen, Burger King, and Long John Silver's.  He cared for his furbaby Boo Boo. 

He is survived by his son, Keith Allen Smith & wife Katherine of Manchester, KY; three grandchildren, Kylie Michelle Smith, Natalie Mabel Smith, Lane Jason Russell Smith, all of Manchester, KY; the mother of his children, Barbara (Barb) Sue Smith of Manchester, KY; two brothers, Francis (Frank) Jackson of Hampton, GA, Wesley (Tash) Smith & wife Sally of Pineville, KY; one sister, Ruby Mills Messer of Stockbridge, GA; nine nephews, ten nieces, plus a host of other family and friends to cherish his memory, and he will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Tip & Mable Stewart Smith; his grandparents, Marsh & Martha Ellen Smith, Marshall & Lula Stewart; one daughter, Kimberly Smith; two sisters, Zelma Lee Smith, Pauline Jackson Flatt; one sister-in-law, Daisy Jackson; two brothers-in-law, Charles Messer, Robert (Rob) Smith; and by two nephews, Wesley Wayne Smith, and Dallas Ray Smith.

A funeral service honoring Walter Russell Smith was held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 22, 2025 at the Old Indian Grave Branch United Baptist Church, Hurricane Branch Road, Manchester, KY with Kenneth Jones, Dale Downey and Reggie Jackson officiating.

Interment followed at the Smith Cemetery, Highway 2467, Manchester, KY. The family received friends on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 beginning at 6:00 p.m. also at the church on Hurricane Branch Road in Manchester, KY.  The family entrusted House-Rawlings Funeral Home with the arrangements.

The pallbearers included Carson Kenneth Stepp, Brandon Jackson, Steven Jackson, Daniel (Danny) Ray Smith, Denzil (Den) Smith, Josh Aaron Wayne Smith, James Jarvis and Jamie Lee Smith.