Dean James Smith

Dean James Smith, 55, of Owensboro passed away Sunday May 13, 2018 at his home. Mr. Smith was born June 26, 1962 in Dekalb, Illinois to Josiah and Norma Ballard Smith. Dean graduated in 1982 from Malta High School in Malta, Illinois. He enjoyed working on computers and loved technology and grew up working on cars and even racing lawnmowers. Dean made his own jellies and syrups, loved gospel music, old movies, talk radio and listening to radio shows. He was ordained as a deacon at Cardinal Creek Baptist Church in 1994, and later joined Bellevue Baptist Church where he was involved in mission trips and had traveled to Bolivia. Dean also translated every Bellevue sermon into Hawaiian Pidgin for over 100 followers. He worked as a bus driver for GRITS transportation for many years and had a passion for his job working with the special needs passengers that he transported to many different locations daily. Dean also adored his dog Fluffy, but his greatest passion was his family and his church, which he loved both very dearly.

He was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents; and a cousin, Brandy Smith.

Dean is survived by his loving wife of 18 years, Beth Morris Smith; his parents, Josiah Smith and his wife, Norma, of Donna, TX; mother in law and father in law, William Morris and his wife, Linda, of Calhoun; daughters, Taylor Fraim and her husband, Dakota, of Caneyville, Ky., and Gabby Smith of Owensboro; a brother, David Smith and his wife, Karen, of Malta, Illinois; several nieces and nephews; sister in law, Barbie Irby and her husband, Mark, along with their children Bella and Shep, of Philpot, and Clara Johnson and her husband, Wayne, along with their children Matthew Morris (Erin) of Owensboro, and Jessica Benningfield (Greg), of Bremen.

A funeral service will be 11am Thursday, May 17 at Bellevue Baptist Church with Dr. Greg Faulls and Dr. Tim Menser officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4 till 7 pm at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory and Thursday from 9am till time of service at the church.

Memorial contributions may take the form of donations to Gabby Smith Benefit Fund, c/o Fifth Third Bank 500 Frederica Street Owensboro, Kentucky 42301.

Memories and expressions of condolence may be left at www.glenncares.com