Virgie M. Smith

Virgie M. Smith (nee Elam) passed away peacefully on June 18, 2026, at the age of 88. Born on the head of Trent, in Wolfe County, Kentucky, she was given the name Virginia Faye Elam by her parents, William Gobel Elam and Martha Mae Elam (nee Mullins), but due to a mistake on her birth certificate, she did not legally have that name. Mom always told the story that the midwife who delivered her was inebriated and filled out the birth certificate incorrectly, leaving her with a middle initial but no middle name. All who knew and loved her knew better than to call her anything except Faye; we will continue here with her chosen name. 

On June 2, 1956, Faye married the love of her life, Victory Smith. Together, they devoted their early life to raising their children, Virginia Ann Robinson (nee Smith) and Victor Clay Smith. Spending time on vacation with their children, siblings, cousins, in-laws, and friends in Florida every summer brought happiness to Faye, as well as a lovely tan. After their children were grown, the couple would travel all of the lower 48 states, sometimes with family and other times just the two of them. Being on the road to a somewhere new or to their second home in Casey County, Kentucky, was always an adventure for Faye. 

Faye supported her family, first as a Cosmetologist, and then went on to work at the Tedford Industry in Cincinnati, where she made the quartz crystals used in many technologies after WW II. Her final job was working at the Standard Publishing company, which printed religious materials. At the age of 37, she retired and enjoyed being a full-time wife and mother.

Faye had a feisty personality that made her the Joy of all of her nieces and nephews. She was always reading romance and western novels, sharing her love of reading with her daughter. Bowling with her girlfriends was always the high point of her week, and it led to an appearance on the Bowling for Dollars Show in Cincinnati with host Glenn (Skipper) Ryle. Since moving to Cincinnati, Faye has been a constant member of the Fellowship Tabernacle in Carthage, OH.

Let us remember Faye’s spirit, infectious laugh, and the energy she brought to all gatherings, and know that she is no longer in pain. A private burial is planned for later this summer. 

Faye was preceded in death by her parents, William and Martha Elam, her beloved husband, Victory Smith, and her five siblings, Charlie, Carl, Harley, Mary Ann, and Martha. Faye is survived by her children, Victor and Virginia, and granddaughter Ella Rose Robinson.