Johnetta Laura Smith

(Johnnie) Laura Smith was born in Lexington, Kentucky on March 27, 1947, to the late
Reverend G. M. and Mattie Smith. Late in the morning on January 1, 2025, she departed this life
and was called from earthly labor to heavenly reward.
Johnetta, or "Johnnie" as she was affectionately called, was educated in the public schools of
Lexington, Kentucky. After graduating from Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, she matriculated
and graduated from Morehead State University.
After her college graduation, Johnetta pursued a career as an educator within the Fayette County
Public School system. She first taught at the Old Paul Laurence Dunbar High School then at
Lexington Junior High School. She went on to become a teacher at Henry Clay High School where
she taught U.S. History and Sociology, as well as serving as advisor to the Harambe Club, before
retiring in 2000.
Johnetta grew up in the church. She accepted Christ at an early age at the Evergreen Baptist
Church in Lexington, KY where she was baptized by the pastor, her father, Reverend G.M. Smith.
She was an active and faithful member of Evergreen for 65 years and served in various roles
within the church. Johnetta taught the Young People Sunday School class; she was an advisor for
the Youth Fellowship; taught the youth in the Baptist Training Union; was a member of the
Senior Choir and she headed the culinary committee for church conventions. In recent years, she
moved her membership to Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Georgetown, Kentucky under the
pastorate of Reverend Dailey. There she continued serving the Lord and working within the
church. She had the opportunity to teach Vacation Bible School and served as President of the
Missionary Group. She faithfully served at Zion Missionary Baptist church until her health failed.
In addition to her work in the local church, she served as President of the Howard's Creek
Convention from 1983-2000, after serving as a teacher for the youth at the convention for several
years. On the State level, she served as Vice President of the Kentucky Missionary Baptist
association (KMBA) Women's Auxiliary as well as Treasurer of the KMBA Women's Auxiliary. She
was a member of the Missionaries of the National Baptist Convention of America- State Body;
member of the National Baptist Convention; and served as National Body Advisor to the youth of
the Baptist Women's Education Convention, prior to becoming President.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by several aunts and uncles as well as her
brother-in-law, Robert Crutchfield. She leaves to cherish her memory a sister, Mary-Estill
Crutchfield; devoted nephew, O'Brien Crutchfield; niece, Cheryl (Malcolm) Bobo; two great-
nieces, Nyla and Kayla Bobo; aunts, Allene Cox, Kathryn Smith Stephens and Virginia Smith; as
well as a host of special cousins and friends.