Beech Tree News Network

Don Harrison Smith, 70, of Morgantown, Kentucky, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on a Saturday afternoon, September 4, 2021. He was born in Macon County, Tennessee, and was the son of John Henry Smith and Elsie Pauline Dawes Smith. He married, Joan Rhee Southerland on May 22, 1982. They raised their two daughters in Morgantown, Kentucky. Don was a heavy equipment operator for many years. He taught himself to play the guitar and loved to play and sing for his family. His other pastimes include riding four wheelers, target practice, and playing basketball with his “little buddy” grandson, Zach. He was a caring, loving husband, father, and grandfather and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Don is survived by his wife, Joan Southerland Smith, 2 daughters, Casey (Stephen) Buckley of Lebanon, Tennessee and Haley Smith Gwathney of Morgantown; three grandchildren Zachary Wayne Gwathney, Shelby LeAnn Gwathney, and Cameron Harrison Buckley. Survivors also include brother, Byron (Patti) Smith of Camby, Indiana; sister, Janet (Jeff) Knight of Westport, Indiana; and sister, Kimberly (Dave) Short of Franklin, Indiana; brother-in-law Gary (Anita) Southerland of Morgantown; brother-in-law Terry Southerland of Beechcreek; brother-in-law Roger (Betty) Southerland of Morgantown; sister-in-law Donna (Rick) Morris of Lexington and several nieces and nephews. Don was preceded in death by his parents, John and Pauline Smith and mother-in-law, Margaret Southerland. 

Funeral services for Don Smith will be conducted at a private family service from the chapel of Smith Funeral Home with Pastor Randy Burns officiating. Interment following in the Rochester Cemetery in Rochester, Kentucky. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.smithfuneralhomeky.com. 

Our family wishes to make sure Don’s special needs granddaughter left behind in the wake of this loss is cared for. So, we humbly ask that in lieu of flowers, all gifts be made to Shelby’s Journey with Lennox Gastaut Syndrome. https://www.facebook.com/lilshelbysjourneywithlgssyndrome/

PayPal link: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/mommahaleyzash