Martha Kay Smith

Martha Kay Smith 66, the beacon of class and elegance personified, sister, aunt, wife, mother, educator, friend, and servant of God. Martha, affectionately referred to as Kay, was born to the union of Deacon Leviticus and Lula Charlene Stewart Patterson. As a child, Kay accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior and was baptized and united into the fellowship of the Christian faith through Little River Baptist Church. She departed this life on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, due to complications of multiple sclerosis (MS). From her sister Hattie and her brothers, Albert Louis and Wallace Ray, Kay developed a work ethic that was second to none. From her sisters, Selena and Pearline, Kay received her inspiration to become an educator. Coupled with her strong work ethic and her desire to improve the lives of young people through education, Kay dedicated her life to teaching. After graduating from Trigg Country High School, Kay enrolled at Murray State University, earning her bachelor’s degree. After completing her bachelor’s degree, Kay enrolled at Western Kentucky University, where she earned her master’s degree in education. Kay began her career as an educator with the Trigg County Public School System, where she taught Head Start. She later moved to Louisville, Kentucky and taught at Watson Lane Elementary, before being hired by Newburg Middle School, in 1989. While teaching at Newburg Middle School, Kay met Arthur “Art” Smith, who shortly thereafter, became her husband. Kay and Art created a blended family with Ramona (Art’s oldest daughter), Joshua (Kay’s son), and Alexandria (child of Art and Kay). Unfortunately, due in part to the affects MS was having on her health, in 2000, Kay had to retire from teaching. Conversely, this allowed Kay more time to raise Alexandria as a stay-at-home mom and wife. Kay was predeceased by her mother and father, Deacon Leviticus and Lula Charlene Stewart Patterson, her brother Albert Louis Patterson and her sister, Selena Patterson. Those left to cherish her memory is her faithful, loving, and devoted husband of 33 years, Art, Louisville, Kentucky; daughter, Alexandria, Silver Spring, Maryland; son, Joshua McDaniel, Louisville, Kentucky; step-daughter Ramona Young, DO, Bradenton, Florida; sisters Hattie Patterson (James H.) Wallace, Hopkinsville, Kentucky and Pearline Patterson Payne, Louisville, Kentucky; twin brother Ray Patterson, Cadiz, Kentucky; and a host of nephews, great nephews, nieces, great nieces, cousins, family, special friends, students, and colleagues. Services will be held at A.D. Porter and Sons Funeral Home Southeast, 4501 Bardstown Road, Louisville, Kentucky 40218, on Friday, February 10, 2023. The visitation will be from 10am to 12pm followed by the homegoing celebration at 12 noon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:8 (KJV)

Martha Kay Smith

December 21, 1956 - February 7, 2023