Nannie Mae Smith

Nannie Smith, age 102, passed into the arms of Jesus on Monday, July 22, 2024, at Wolfe County Health and Rehabilitation Center in Campton, Kentucky. She was born in Pilot, Kentucky, on February 20, 1922, to the late Isaac Henry “I.H.” Brown and the late Verna Rupe Brown.

Nannie exemplified a life of service to her God, family, and country, and in that order. She accepted Jesus at a young age and placed great importance on serving her Lord and reading her Bible. Nannie taught Sunday School and sang in the choir at Bowen First Church of God, where she was a faithful member.

She loved her family and easily grew into her role as mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Nannie had many talents which she utilized to make everyone happy. She used her dressmaking skills to make special outfits for the girls. Nannie once said that she watched their eyes to see if they really liked what she had made them. Her cooking abilities were enjoyed by all, especially her fried apple pies and tasty homemade biscuits. The children also delighted in her spooky, real-life storytelling knack!

Nannie married her sweetheart, Verlon Smith, on August 19, 1938. She would tell how he won her father over by bringing his fiddle and playing music for her dad while Verlon gave her the eye. Of course, Nannie loved it all and thought he was the most handsome boy she had ever seen!

She loved the beauty of God’s creation. Nannie grew beautiful flowers and loved hiking through the countryside. In her later years, she traveled to many countries including Germany, France, Italy, and Mexico, and to most of the states in the U.S. One of her favorite traveling stories was about her visit to Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest in Germany. This Nazi constructed building, high in the Bavarian Alps, had a dramatic impact on Nannie, as did World War II. She was very patriotic; the uniform and American flag were extremely special, and she loved her flag stamps! Nannie was a very humble soul until someone, in her opinion, insulted her Country. One of her friends endearingly referred to her as “a little Chihuahua”!

It’s difficult to summarize 102 years into a few short paragraphs; however, it’s easy to testify to Nannie’s ability to use the talents that God gave her to serve, love, and be a blessing to others!

In addition to her parents, Nannie is preceded in death by her husband, Verlon Smith; nine brothers: Oscar Brown, Dorsey Brown, Otha Brown, Elmer Brown, Aulney Brown, John Henry Brown, Raymond Brown, Charlie Brown, and Hillard Brown; three sisters: Golda Taylor, Lillie Yocum, and Gladys Briggs; and one grandchild, Sabrina Smith. She is survived by her son, Alfred (Cha) Smith of California; four daughters: Judith Lanita (Scott) Wilson of Stanton, Yvonne (Brent) Eilts of Irvine, Milly (Don) Vappie of Covington, Louisiana, and Verla (Steve) Griffin of Franklin, Tennessee; eleven grandchildren: Tonya Wilson, Nicole Camp, Amanda Lee, Steven Griffin, Hannah Stott, Anthony Kellerman, Martin Russell, James Smith, Sylvia Smith, Sandra Smith, and Sarah Steedman; sixteen great-grandchildren; and several great-great grandchildren. Visitation will be held from 5:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. on Sunday, July 28, 2024, at Hearne Funeral Home, 125 West College Avenue, Stanton, Kentucky. Funeral services, officiated by Bro. Stephen Donithan will be held at the funeral home at 11:00 A.M on Monday, July 29, 2024. Burial will be held at Moreland Cemetery in Stanton with Steven Griffin, Ryan Stott, James Smith, Steve Griffin, Martin Russell, and Elijah Camp serving as active pallbearers. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hearne Funeral Home of Stanton.