James Aaron Smith

James Aaron Smith, 84, of Philpot passed away Thursday, June 27, 2019 at his residence. He was born in Stanley, Kentucky on August 26, 1934 to the late Joseph Bernard and Mary Lillian McCann Smith. James was retired from W.R. Grace and Company where he worked as an electrician. He was a past Grand Knight & Fourth Degree member of Knights of Columbus council #6101 in Sorgho, Kentucky, joined the Right to Life of Owensboro in 1974 and served on the Board of Directors for 15 years, commanded buses for 25 years to Washington D.C. for the March for Life, and was a recipient of the Sophia Award. In 2017, James was awarded the Right to Life Lifetime Service Award.

Along with his parents, James is preceded in death by his first wife of 43 years in 2002, Mary Janice Clayton Smith.

James is survived by his wife of 17 years, Juanita Hagan Rhodes Smith, his children, James Aaron (Martha Nowlin), Jr., Jena (Paul) Kennedy, Joseph (Nancy) Smith, Jackie (Danny) Glenn; step children, Jessie (Marilyn) Rhodes, Gayle (Ada) Rhodes, Rhonda (Tom) Smith, Kirby (Vanessa) Rhodes, Marty (Debbie) Rhodes, Stevie (Tammy) Rhodes, Larena Lawson; 12 grandchildren, 43 step grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, 48 step great-grandchildren, his siblings, JB Smith, Rose Catherine McCarter, William E. Smith, and John Paul Smith.

Services will be 10:00 am Monday, July 1, 2019 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, with Father Julio Barrera and Father Augusty Valomchalil officiating. Burial will follow at St. Alphonsus Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm Sunday, and again from 8:00 am to 9:00 am Monday at Haley McGinnis Funeral Home & Crematory.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to the Right to Life; 1115 Tamarack Road; Owensboro, Kentucky 42301. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Haley McGinnis Funeral Home & Crematory is both honored and privileged to be entrusted with the care of Mr. Smith. Share your messages of condolence with the family of James Aaron Smith at www.haleymcginnis.com