Mollie Gaines Smith

Mollie Gaines Smith passed away peacefully on September 8, 2025, in Louisville, Kentucky. Born on April 12, 1945, in Bowling Green, Kentucky, Mollie's life was a testament to her devotion to her family and her unwavering commitment to helping others.

Mollie's overriding joy was her family. With her husband, S. Russell Smith, Jr., she raised two sons, and she delighted in her five granddaughters, Abby (15), Ellie (13), Beatrice (13), Lucy (11), and Cordelia (10). Known to them as "Amama" – the cherished name Mollie's sons and nephews bestowed on her mother – she enjoyed spending time with them on the beaches of Nassau, Bahamas and Sea Island, Georgia. She enjoyed attending their dance recitals, musical theater productions, sporting events, and birthdays, even as her health declined later in life. Her granddaughters were a blessing to her as she was to them.

When not spoiling the girls, Mollie dedicated her life to service for others. She grew to become an integral part of her Louisville community, touching many lives with her volunteer work. Mollie committed her time and energy to a diverse array of charitable organizations, including Gilda's Club, Bridgehaven, the Meredith Dunn School, P.E.O., the Junior League, and the Younger Women's Club, among many others.

Mollie's interests reflected her vibrant personality and her love for life. She treasured trips with her friends, especially to Paris. An avid needlepointer, she created beautiful works that brought radiance to her house, especially at Christmas, where her works festooned several trees. For decades, Mollie and Russell's annual Christmas parties were highly anticipated social events by their friends and family and often went late into the night.

In her later years, Mollie exemplified quiet dignity, determination, and perseverance as she faced numerous health challenges and beat the odds time after time. She was grateful for the extraordinary companionship of her friends and family who never failed to brighten her days and for the excellent care provided by her doctors and nurses from Malone's Home Care who attended her. Mollie's memory will be cherished and kept alive in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know her.

She was a graduate of the University of Mississippi, where she was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority. She was a member of the Lyford Cay Club, in Nassau, Bahamas, and Big Spring Country Club in Louisville, Kentucky.

Mollie is survived by her sons, S. Russell Smith, III (Kathleen) and J. Brooken Smith (Katie); five granddaughters; brother, John Pipes Gaines (Susan); sister, Mary Gaines Dunham (David); brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Raymond and Susan Smith; nephews, Scott Gaines (Karrie), and Steve Gaines (Bri), and grandnieces and grandnephews, John Pipes, Hadley, Harper, Annabelle, and John Brooken. She was preceded in death by her mother, Mable Sharp Davenport Gaines; father, John Brooken Gaines; husband; and her dogs, Prowl and Sandy.

Visitation will be held at Pearson's Funeral Home, 149 Breckinridge Lane, Louisville, Kentucky, on Thursday, September 11, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and on Friday, September 12, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. A service celebrating Mollie's life will be held at Pearson's Funeral Home immediately following the Friday visitation.

In lieu of flowers, Mollie's family requests that her friends and family consider making a gift to Gilda's Club Kentuckiana (www.gck.org) or Bridgehaven Mental Health Services (www.bridgehaven.org), two organizations whose missions she passionately championed.