Obituary: Charles Rapier Smith Sr., 84, Bardstown
Charles Rapier Smith Sr., 84, of Bardstown, entered eternal rest Thursday, July 14, 2016. He was born July 13, 1932, to Sylvia Rapier and Bertram Lancaster Smith. He was a graduate of Bethlehem Academy, St. Joseph Preparatory School, and the University of Louisville.
CHARLES RAPIER SMITH SR.
During his lifetime, he very proudly and happily served as a member of the Bethlehem High School school board, St. Joseph Parish Council and St. Joseph School Board. He was also an active member of the St. Joseph Prep alumni. He was a dedicated, very active member of St. Joseph Parish.
He served his community through the Nelson County Chamber of Commerce, as a board member for Town and Country Bank & Trust Co. and as chairman for the Democratic Party of Nelson County. He owned and operated Smith Brothers Trucking, served as president of the Kentucky Motor Transportation Association, and along with his brothers, co-owned Smith Brothers Distributing and operated Distillery Transfer.
Under Governor Wallace Wilkinson, he served as parks commissioner for the Kentucky State Parks Department, and was named the Chamber of Commerce citizen of the year. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 1290 in Bardstown.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, William J. “Willie” Smith and his sister-in-law, Joyce Smith.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Violet Taylor Smith; five daughters, Sylvia (Stephen) Hamilton, Katherine Stocker “Katy” (Dean) Watts, Mary Virginia “Ginny” (Roger) Carey, Margie (Jimmy) Downs, and Amy (Jeremy) Janes, all of Bardstown; two sons, Charles Rapier “Chuck” (Gloria) Smith Jr. and Francis Richard “Frank” (DeeDee) Smith, both of Bardstown; two sisters, Mary (Bob) Wilson of LaGrange and Virginia “Ginny” (Dave) Horlander; four brothers, B.L. Smith Jr. and Francis X. (Lucy) Smith, both of Bardstown, Thomas Stocker Smith of Denver, Colo., Carl Patrick (Cecelia) Smith of Bardstown; one sister-in-law, Patsy Smith; 15 grandchildren, Thomas (Kelsey) Hamilton, Margaret Hamilton (Brantley) Kilgore, Lee Marie (Ryan) Guenther, Madeline Watts, Patrick (Anne) Carey, Alex (Jordan) Carey, Charles (Maggie) Smith, Lesley Smith, Violet Downs, Harry Downs, Ellie Downs, Eliza Downs, Zachary Janes, Emma Janes, Taylor Janes; and six great-grandchildren, Addie Smith, Charlie Smith, Patrick Carey, Jr., Christian Carey, Alexander Carey, and Lilly Claire Hamilton; and a special aunt, Eleanor T. Rapier of Bardstown.
The Mass of Christian Burial is 11 a.m. Monday, July 18, 2016, at the Basilica of St. Joseph Proto Cathedral with the Rev. Joseph Batcheldor, celebrant, and the Rev. Terry Bradshaw, concelebrant. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Visitation is 2-8 p.m. Sunday, July 17, 2016, and after 8:30 a.m. Monday at the Houghlin-Greenwell Funeral Home, 1475 New Shepherdsville Road with a prayer service 5 p.m. Sunday with the Rev. Joseph Batcheldor.
The family requests that expressions of sympathy take the form of contribution to the Alzheimer’s Association, 6100 Dutchmans Lane Suite 401 Louisville, Kentucky 40205-3284.
The Houghlin-Greenwell Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Rapier was a devoted husband for 61 years, loving father, and the perfect grandfather. Keep on trucking.
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