Born September 7, 1915, at Varilla, she was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. James S. Greene Sr. of Harlan. She attended Converse College in South Carolina, and graduated from the University of North Carolina with a degree in drama.
She was the wife of the late Kirby Smith Jr. Juanita and Kirby went into the restaurant business in Harlan, Ky., after graduation from college, and moved to Middlesboro in 1941. Her interest in theatre in college carried over into her adult life. Shortly after World War II she was instrumental in the founding of the Midddlesboro Little Theatre in 1948. She directed numerous plays, served on the board of directors and was the dramatic director for over 25 years. Some of the other community organizations in which she participated were the Boy Scouts of America, the Middlesboro Art Club, Middlesboro Music Club, the Middlesborough Garden Club, and the Cumberland Park Garden Club. She also served as a director of the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival. She served many years as a member, as well as chairman, of the Middlesboro-Bell County Library Board, and was active in getting the new libraries built in Middlesboro and Pineville. Along with her civic work, she was very active in St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. She was also a member of the Episcopal Church Women and served on the vestry.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Kirby Smith Jr.; a daughter, Burmah Elizabeth Smith; and two brothers, James S. Greene Jr. and Glenn L. Greene Sr.
She is survived by a daughter, Lynne Smith Coughlin; two sons, Kirby Smith III and wife Donna, Wilson Vance Smith and wife Elizabeth; grandchildren, Brian Coughlin, Shawn Coughlin, Kirby Smith IV, Meredith Elizabeth Smith, Kristen Kearns, Justin Agrell and Jordan Smith; and five great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Saturday April 12, at 3 p.m. with the Rev. John Burkhart officiating.
Visitation will be from 1-3 p.m. at the church.
Interment will be at Green Hills Memorial Gardens immediately following the service. Pallbearers will be Glenn L. Greene Jr., James S. Greene III, Brian Coughlin, Shawn Coughlin, Kirby Smith IV and Jordan Smith. Honorary pallbearers will be Rev. Bill Jones, Harry M. Hoe, David Harris, Gene Dillman, and Bill Stapleton.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to St. Mary’s Memorial Fund or Hospice of the Bluegrass.
Shumate Funeral Home is in charge. Guestbook at www.shum ate.com.
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