Christine Johnson Smith

Christine Johnson Smith, 98, of Owensboro, passed away Wednesday June 9, 2010, at her home. Born in Hopkinsville, KY the daughter of the late Thomas Boyd Johnson and Hallie Adams Johnson, her family moved to Owensboro when she was 14. Mrs. Smith graduated from Owensboro High School, where she was a member of The Rose Curtain Players, and studied at the Nashville Conservatory of Music and was a soloist for WSM radio. She then moved to New York where she was a performer for the national NBC and CBS radio networks, sang in the choruses of Broadway musicals and the Columbia Symphony, sang with the New World Opera, and in 1943 debuted with the Metropolitan Opera. She also sang with The San Francisco Opera Company. Originating the role of Nellie Fowler in Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Carousel" in 1945, she became known for her singing of "You'll Never Walk Alone", written specifically for her. She later concertized extensively, which she dearly loved. In the 1980's, she thrilled an Owensboro audience with her solo performance "You'll Never Walk Alone" for the finale of an Owensboro Symphony Orchestra Summer Pops Concert.

After marrying and returning to Owensboro to start a family, she taught voice lessons and was director of the first-aid facilities at Texas Gas Transmission. She continued her interest and participation in music and her community. She served on the board of directors of the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra in its early years and was active with the Community Concert Association. Mrs. Smith was also active in the Women's Auxiliary of the Daviess County Medical Society.

Recognized for her many achievements, she was nominated for a Tony Award, named a Kentucky Colonel, presented with the Kentucky National Arts Award, named a charter member of the Owensboro-Daviess County Tourist Commissions Hall of Fame, and was added to the Owensboro High School Hall of Achievement. She was a member of First Christian Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Robert Wilhoyte Smith in 1959, and her brother, William A. Johnson.

She is survived by her daughters, Harriette "Robin" Adams Smith, M.D., of Louisville and Nancy Wilhoyte Smith Fuqua and her husband Bill of Philpot; her grandchildren, Charles Robert Miles Fuqua and his wife Andrea of Hickory TN and Hallie Elizabeth Kirk of Louisville; her step-grandchildren, Leandra St. Yves and her husband Gar of Charlotte, NC, Charmain Crichton of Wilmington, NC, and Billy Fuqua of Wilmington, NC; and her step-great-grandchildren, Sudie St. Yves and Julia St. Yves of Charlotte, Allie Hatton and Triston Crichton of Wilmington, and Grace Fuqua of New York City. Heartfelt appreciation is offered to extended family, the Thompsons and the Johnsons, and her dedicated caregivers, who remained steadfast until the bitter-sweet end.

Service, officiated by Rev. James Westmoreland and Rev. Jacob Kines, Jr., are 2:00 p.m. Saturday at First Christian Church. Visitation is from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. Friday at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory and from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m. Saturday at First Christian Church. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the Big Rivers Chapter of the American Red Cross, Hospice of Western Kentucky, or the Glenmary Sisters.