Olivia "Libby" Smith

As children, when it was time for bed, our mother would say, "It's time to go to Napper's house."  Our lovely, sweet, little sister, Libby, has gone to join our Mama at Napper’s house. 

Olivia Ann Cooper Abbott Smith, 70, of Harrogate, Tennessee, passed away on August 15, 2024 at home. She was born in Middlesboro, KY on November 14, 1953. 

Libby is survived by her husband, Guy B. Smith; her children, David Abbott, II (Catherine) and April Abbott Vanover; her grandchildren, Caleb Vanover (Icia), Dustin Vanover, Olivia Grace Vanover, Cameron Vanover, Chadwell Abbott, and step-grandchild Pamela; her great-grandchildren, William, Olivia, Cooper, and Ryker. 

She is also survived by her four sisters who loved her and will miss her more than words can describe, Myra Cooper Sieve, Rhenda Cooper Denham (Steven), Iva Jo Cooper, and Laura Carmen Jan Cooper (Jeff Eads), as well as a special friend, Rita Jordan. There are many more family members and dear friends whose hearts are broken at the loss of Libby. 

She was predeceased by her mother, Blanche Chadwell Cooper and her father, Dewey Lee Cooper. Libby was a beautiful, amazing person who treasured her children and grandchildren. Not many people are familiar with her quick wit, her writing capability, her poems, nor her comedic side. She kept her sisters laughing all the time! For many years her happy place was on Norris Lake with all her family.

Libby had a deep and unwavering faith in her savior Jesus Christ. Her journal entry from 11-21-90 reads “As you go through life, always remember, you may be the only Bible that people read”. 

In a notebook Libby wrote the following last wish, “I want a simple casket. I had pretty and fancy when I was on this Earth. My heart and my love of God have taken me to Heaven. You can cry for the ones I leave behind but not for me. I am with the Lord. My life was full of love for my family and friends. No flowers, take someone you love out to eat and remember me instead or donate to St. Jude’s’s so children can live.”

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 21, 2024 from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the Cawood Funeral Home Chapel in Middlesboro, KY. Funeral services will follow at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Keith Medley presiding. At the conclusion of the funeral service, family and friends will follow in procession to Green Hills Memorial Gardens, Middlesboro, KY, where graveside services will be held.  

Pallbearers for Libby will be: David Abbott, Caleb Vanover, Dustin Vanover, Jeff Eads, Tim Hensley, and Steven Denham. 

The family would like to thank Suncrest Hospice of Claiborne County for their kindness and Andrew, for his care of not only Libby, but our entire family. 

Libby has asked that you honor her by not sending flowers but by contributing to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. You can donate online, www.stjude.org (http://www.stjude.org), by calling 800-822-6344, M-F, 7am-9pm, or by mailing your check to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Online register book and condolences are available at www.cawoodfh.com.

All arrangements for Libby Smith are under the care of Cawood Funeral Home, Middlesboro, KY.