Elvin E. Smith Jr.

Elvin E. Smith, Jr. was born to teach, and his life was an example of touching lives and creating environments that made learning a joy. Born to Elvin E. Smith, Sr. and Dorothy Roberts Smith on December 2, 1942, Elvin, known to most as Jr., grew up in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, a brother to Lowell and Leroy, who predeceased him. Elvin was a proud husband of 61 years to Kathryn Downing Smith, and an incomparable role model and inspiration to his three children, Eddie (Jennifer), Donald (Jennifer), and Georganne Stepp (Chris). Three of his greatest joys were his grandchildren Faith Stepp, Jackson Smith, and Will Smith, of whom he was proud beyond measure. Elvin as a husband, father, father-in-law, and grandfather, wanted only to build strength and self-esteem in the people he loved. His legacy will continue in the many lives he touched.

Elvin taught generations of children at Lincoln Trail Elementary School in Elizabethtown and was a favorite of students, teachers, and staff. He also immensely enjoyed utilizing his educational skills outside of the classroom by teaching life lessons through coaching youth basketball. It is not hyperbole to say that Elvin would do anything he could for anyone who needed him, even referred to for years as everyone’s personal assistant. His leadership for many years on annual environmental trips is remembered by participants as a highlight of their youth. Elvin was proud to be a Hardin County School Distinguished Alumni Honoree for his professional excellence and community contributions.

A photographer for decades, Elvin captured adventures, joy, sadness, and real-life experiences and shared them generously with everyone through his active participation on Lincoln Trail Alumni and Hardin County Kentucky History Museum Facebook pages. Elvin documented family gatherings year after year and created a visual timeline that will live forever and will always be a reminder of his devotion to family and friends.

A proud 1965 graduate of Western Kentucky State College, Elvin continued his support of his beloved Hilltoppers throughout his life. Ballgames, scholarship efforts to help deserving students, dinners, or cheering on the teams from his living room - he approached all those things with enthusiasm and spirit. He lived the motto “The Spirit Makes the Master.” His collection of WKU memorabilia is the envy of all who love WKU, and he frequented yard sales and thrift stores to find treasures he did not yet have in his collection. Whether using his metal detector at the beach, at Lost River Cave, at historical sites, or in his own back yard, little gave him greater pleasure than finding a trinket the history of which he researched and shared.

A great advocate of historical preservation and a believer in the power of history to give perspective and teach lessons, Elvin would offer lessons about the Civil War to any willing audience. He knew the history of Hardin County as few do, and he wanted to share that knowledge with the world. As a charter member and integral part of the development of the Hardin County Kentucky History Museum, Elvin spent countless hours and days helping build it into a regional jewel. Elvin had answers for every question and, on the rare occasion he did not have an answer, he worked to find it.

Faith and service to others have always been a constant touchstone for Elvin and Kathryn. Devoted members of College Heights Church for many years, their belief in the power of prayer and in God’s plan for their lives was evident. A life of purpose was always in God’s plan for Elvin, and he fulfilled that purpose every day.

Visitation is Sunday, September 21, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST at College Heights Church (710 College Street, Elizabethtown, KY) and on Monday, September 22, from 11:00 a.m. EST until the time of service. The funeral service will be at 12:02 p.m. on Monday, September 22 at College Heights Church. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the Kathryn and Elvin Smith Scholarship Fund, c/o College Heights Foundation, 1703 Chestnut Street, Bowling Green, KY 42101 (online at Alumni.wku.edu/smith), to College Heights Church Building Fund, or to the Hardin County History Museum.