Ann Smiser

Ann Barrickman Smiser born August 1, 1918, died February 21, 2017 under the excellent care of Hosparus.
Ann was born in Skylight to the late Edgar and Stella Tague Barrickman, the only girl of four children. She graduated from Liberty School in 1936 and attended Bowling Green University for ten months, completing two years of accountant training. She completed her degree at University of Louisville.
She returned home to Oldham County to marry the love of her life, Jack Smiser. Together Ann and Jack created and managed several businesses throughout their lives, including auto dealerships in La Grange, Skylight and Shelbyville. Their crowning business was the Melrose Motel and Melrose Inn Restaurant, a popular gathering spot for tourists and locals alike, especially at Kentucky Derby time. The Smisers sold Melrose in 1977.
Ann became a widow in January 1981 when her beloved Jack died. She was a widow for 36 years always remaining active and busy. She acted as the contractor when she built a house on the Barrickman family farm and lived there alone for over 10 years. She then bought a home in Shelbyville and moved to a new community making many new friends.
Ann was active in all the communities she lived in, she was a member of Shiloh United Methodist Church for 84 years, serving as treasurer for 50 years. She was also involved in the Mahan Foundation, United Methodist Women, Kentucky Wesleyan College Board of Trustees, Kavanaugh Enrichment Center, 4-H Council, Oldham County Extension Council, Homemakers Club, and the Shelbyville Theatre Group. Ann was honored by the Historical Society in 2010 as Oldham County's Business Woman of the Year.
Ann leaves to celebrate her life, daughter Janis Smiser Blackwell (Easton, Md.), grandchildren, Beth Blackwell Lines, Eric Blackwell (Eve), Matthew Blackwell, great-grand-daughters Ava, Amelia, Aurora, Jaylynn and Rebecca. Also surviving her is special nephew Terry Barrickman and his wife Ella who devoted many hours to Ann's care and well-being, nephews Eddie Barrickman (Gladys), Ray Lloyd Barrickman, David Barrickman, Robert Woolfolk (Joann), great-nephews Rader Barrickman (Darla), great-nieces Holly Barrickman Goodaker, Wendy Barrickman, and Taylor Ray Barrickman, great-great-nephews Eli and Jake Goodaker. Ann was preceded in death by husband Jack Smiser, her later in life companion and friend George Busey, her three brothers, Ray, Robert, and Darrell and her great-nephew Ricky.
Visitation was held at Shannon Funeral Home in Shelbyville Sunday, February 26, 2017 from 1 to 6 p.m. Funeral services were held at Shannon Funeral Home Monday February 27, 2017 at 11 a.m. with burial to follow at Shiloh United Methodist Church Cemetery, Goshen.
Expressions of sympathy may be made in the form of contributions to Shiloh United Methodist Church Building Fund, P. O. Box 285, Goshen, Ky. 40026 or Shiloh Cemetery, c/o Todd Smith, 2804 S. Hwy. 1694, Crestwood, Ky. 40014.