Cecil Lee Smith

Lee Smith passed away peacefully on Friday, August 11, 2023 surrounded by his loving family.

Cecil Lee Smith was born November 11, 1926 and grew up on a farm in Jefferson, Ohio. Lee was the son of Roy and Lena Smith. He had three brothers, Everett, Noble and Arthur and two sisters Ruth Tanner and Grace Oeffner. He graduated from Jefferson High School in 1944 and married Evelyn Richmond on May 27, 1953 at Bulah Calvary Church in Denmark. They were married 62 years till Evelyn went on to Heaven. They had four children; Dan Smith of Geneva, Tim Smith of Jefferson, Joanne (Gary) Humphrey of Sublimity, Oregon and Bryan (Lori) Smith of Seville. Lee and Evelyn had 10 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and two great, great grandchildren. Lee was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Lena; his brothers Everett and Noble, his sister Ruth Tanner; and granddaughters, Sarah Humphrey and Haley Strobel.

Lee resided on Griggs road his entire life. His family ran a small dairy farm and also made maple syrup. After attending a one room school house in his early years, he went onto graduate from Jefferson High School. Lee drove a tow motor for True Temper for many years till the factory closed, then started driving Amish for logging crews, ladies sewing groups and many Amish families. He took them on both short and long vacation trips, and even stayed in some of their homes. Lee and his wife started Carriage House Antiques, which they operated for 23 years. In 2015, the Carriage House Antiques was voted best Antiques Store in Ashtabula County.

Lee was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Kingsville for 73 years beginning in 1956, and served as Sunday School Superintendent and Deacon for many years. He loved working with horses and drove his buggies, carriages and sleighs for 70 some weddings. He, along with his faithful helper and friend, Willie Cole, also gave rides up at the Jefferson Depot and one year took Santa Claus in a parade down on Bridge Street. Lee built a “kid hack” which is a replica of a horse drawn school bus in 1966 and enjoyed building sleds and benches. He also entertained at the Jefferson Follies as his character “Old Hezzie.” Lee always loved traveling with his wife and went by air, train and boat from the east to west coast but particularly enjoyed the Delta Queen stern and Mackinac Island.

Funeral Services will be 11:30 a.m., Thursday, August 17th, at the Kingsville Baptist Church with Pastor Larry officiating. Burial will be in Gageville Cemetery.
Viewing will be held from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. prior to the funeral service at the Kingsville Baptist Church. The family request memorial contributions to the First Baptist Church, 6003 St. Rt. 193, Kingsville, Ohio 44048

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