Jeffery Francis Smith, 69, of Corbin, Kentucky, passed away Monday, November 24, 2025, at Baptist Health Hospital in Corbin. Born August 24, 1956, in Corbin, he was the son of the late J.L. and Betty Smith.
Jeffery attended Tilghman High School in Paducah, Kentucky, where he played for the Blue Tornadoes. They won the state football championship in his senior year; he also participated on the wrestling team. Jeffery also made the “Who’s Who in America” president’s list in 1974, ranking in the top 100.
After graduating from high school, he attended Annapolis Naval Academy in Maryland. He then went to Lipscomb College and graduated. Afterward, he completed his studies at Vanderbilt University, earning a master’s degree in both Computer Science and Physics.
While attending Lipscomb College, Jeffery met the love of his life, Lila Stanford. They later married on May 30, 1982.
Jeffery was a lifelong history enthusiast. He could talk passionately for hours about past battles and wars. He was also very talented in many areas. He was an avid Wargame player and attended many conventions around the nation, competing and almost always winning. Another proud accomplishment was earning his 3rd Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo in the 80s.
In addition to his parents, Jeffery was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 40 years, Lila Stanford Smith.
Jeff is survived by an aunt, Mary Frances Hodge; cousins: Thurston J. Smith, Jr., Kimmy S. Smith, Timothy Smith, Sonya Hummel McNeil, Greg McNeil, and Sean Hodge; nieces: Martha Dyer, Melissa Davidson, Laurie Pruitt, and Myra Walker.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, November 29, 2025, in the Hart Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in Cumberland Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends from 12 – 2:00 P.M. Saturday at Hart Funeral Home, located at 1011 Master Street in Corbin.
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