Barbourville, Ky. – Bernice Owens Smith, 80, passed September 15, 2021, at the Barbourville ARH Hospital. Bernice was the daughter of Mahalia Merida Owens and John W. Owens joyfully born to them on August 15, 1941, in Bailey Switch, Knox County, Kentucky.
Bernice, a native Knox Countian, lived her entire life in the mountains of Kentucky. She united in marriage to Willard Smith on September 22, 1958, and to this union seven children were born. Bernice was a wonderful homemaker and gardener. She kept both a vegetable and a flower garden – mums were her favorite flower. Bernice was of the Christian faith. She enjoyed reading the Bible and was a dedicated member of both the Little Poplar Church and the Old Poplar Church. Bernice was a devoted wife, a loving mother, grandmother, and great grandma, an aunt, sister, and friend to all who knew her. Bernice was the matriarch of the family and in that role, she made sure to “keep the peace” among everyone – she was the glue that held it all together. Bernice was an outgoing person who enjoyed spending time with family and friends, and making others laugh. She was loved by all who knew her for her kindness and generosity. Bernice had a heart of gold and a smile that was contagious!
Bernice is survived by her beloved husband of 63 years, Willard Smith and their seven children: Eddie Smith of Barbourville, Kentucky; Teddy Smith of Barbourville, Kentucky; Freddy Smith (Norma) of Barbourville, Kentucky; Betty Freeman (Joe) of Williamsburg, Kentucky; Terry Smith (Julie) of Roseville, Michigan; Willard Smith, Jr. (Heidi) of Sparta, Kentucky; and Tony Smith (Tonia) of Barbourville, Kentucky. Fifteen grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren survive Bernice and will miss her dearly. Additionally, Bernice is survived by four siblings: sister Sherry Hicks (Ronald) of Woodbine, Kentucky; sister Dianna Gray of Barbourville, Kentucky; brother David Owens (Jeannie) of Sadieville, Kentucky; and brother Dale Owens of Barbourville, Kentucky.
In addition to her parents, John and Mahalia Owens of Barbourville, Kentucky, Bernice was preceded in death by four brothers: Troy Owens (Leda) of Barbourville, Kentucky; Curtis Owens of Elkhart, Indiana; Drew Owens of Barbourville, Kentucky; and Johnny Owens of Barbourville, Kentucky. One sister Bobbie Horsley (Howard) of Florence, Kentucky, and a daughter-in-law Debbie Smith of Barbourville, Kentucky, also preceded Bernice in death.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM Monday, September 20, 2021, at the Hopper Funeral Home Chapel and on Tuesday, September 21, 2021, from 12:00 PM until the funeral hour of 1:00 PM. Reverend Ronnie Rose will officiate. Interment will immediately follow the funeral service in the Owens Family Cemetery at Owens Hollow. Pallbearers are Jacob Murray, Steven Smith, Joe Freeman, T.J. Smith, Tony Smith, Freddie Smith, and Victor Marion. Honorary Pallbearer is Mr. Teddy Smith.
The Hopper Family, Victoria Hopper and Sally Hopper, our Directors, Bonita Bingham Creech, and Robin Reese, and our staff express our condolences to the family and friends of Bernice Owens Smith.
During the ongoing pandemic, we strongly encourage everyone attending services for Mrs. Smith to wear a face mask and maintain a social distance of six feet apart.
Hopper Funeral Home, Inc., established over 100 years ago, is in charge of servicing all arrangements for Bernice Owens Smith.
