Helen Menefee Smith, of Paducah, KY, entered the eternal presence of the Lord on Saturday, July 8, 2023, 3:07 a.m. at the Ray & Kay Eckstein Hospice Care Center in Paducah. At the time of her passing, Helen had reached the age of 75 years, 7 months and 12 days.

Helen graduated in 1965, a member of the last graduating class from Lincoln High School before consolidation. After high school she continued her education at West Kentucky Vocational School where she studied cosmetology.

Helen was self-reliant and believed in working to earn a living. She was formerly employed in housekeeping at Mercy Lourdes Health hospital in Paducah and as a bus driver for the Paducah Independent School System, bus routes #12 and #32.

Helen was baptized at Washington Street Missionary Baptist Church in Paducah. She was a faithful Christian and devoted to her church wherever she worshipped. As a former member of Just By Faith Ministries, she served in the Culinary Department and provided the church announcements.  As a member of New Greater Love Church, Helen served as church historian, a member of the social media team, and was considered a "Mother" of the church. She was known as a great organizer and assisted with many church anniversaries.

Helen will be remembered as a person who liked to communicate. A former member of the Queen Esther Chapter #4 Order of the Eastern Star, she loved watching and talking to people. Her most favorite activities to pass the time included the use of the telephone. She loved getting on FaceBook , playing "Color by Numbers" and many other games all on her phone. When she wasn't playing games, she was checking out the Pettus Rowland website and unofficially served as Mary Pettus Rowland's spokesperson.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Marion Leo and Daeva Louise Hackett Menefee and two brothers, Albert Menefee and Donald Menefee.

Helen leaves behind to cherish her memories: A Daughter, Myra L. (Sweet Pea) Smith of Nashville, TN; A Son Leslie V. (Sonova) Smith, Jr. of Raleigh, NC; A Granddaughter, Erica D. (Antonio) Smith of Paducah; Three Grandsons, Torrance M. (Elizabeth) Smith of Chapel Hill, NC, Christian E. Smith of Roanoke, VA, Leslie Smith III of Raleigh, NC; One Sister, Marian Menefee of Louisville, KY; Two Great Granddaughters, Alese Smith of Nashville, TN, A'Nya Redding of Leavenworth, KS; Two Great Grandsons, And'reus Smith and A'marion Smith; A Special Daughter, Dawn Cleary; A Special Granddaughter, Kya Cleary all of Paducah; Special Granddaughter, Maya Cleary; Special Great Granddaughter, Masiya Cleary, both of Nashville, TN, and a Host Of Nieces, Nephews, Cousins and Friends Including Special Friends Robbie Anderson, Maria Leavell, Rosie Jackson, Joyce Donelson, Mary Pettus Rowland, Mary Bell Thompson, Michael McKendrick, Ridley Jones, and Terry Butcher; and Caregivers, Joe Travis, Cheryl Holt and Patricia Brandon.

Memorial services are scheduled for Saturday, August 5, 2023, 2:00 p.m. at New Greater Love Church with Bishop LaRita Horton officiating.