Ellen Smith, age 79, of Big Creek, Kentucky, passed away at her home on Saturday, July 4, 2026. She was born on June 19, 1947, in Rices Fork, Kentucky, to the late Estill and Bertha Gray Henson.
Ellen was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Critt Smith; her parents, Estill and Bertha Gray Henson; her brothers, Lloyd Junior Henson, Carl Henson, Asher Henson, Delbert Henson, and Sammy Henson; her sisters, Gracie Estep and Bernice Lakes; and her sons-in-law, Tommy James Smith, Jimmy Ray Mills, and Wayne Thomas Napier, whom she loved like her own.
She is survived by her daughters, Donna Roark and husband Bryon of Big Creek, Angela Woods and husband Mark of Goose Rock, and Brenda Smith Napier of Big Creek; her grandchildren, Kristen Ellen Smith, Christopher Edward Mills and Destiney, Breanna Mills and Trevor, Matthew Napier, Kayla Woods, and Sammy Roark; and her great-grandchildren, Emma Tomi Caldwell, Maisie Sophia Foutch, and Zoey Foutch.
Ellen is also survived by her brothers, Thomas Henson of Rices Fork and Charlie Henson of Big Creek; her sisters, Oma Smith of Ohio and Cornella Smith of Rices Fork; and her special friend, Leslie Couch.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at Britton Funeral Home, with Demus Couch and Anthony Lovett officiating. Burial will follow at Smith and Mills Cemetery on Red Bird.
Visitation will be held at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at Britton Funeral Home.
