Douglas Kent Smith, Sr.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10 (KJV)

Douglas Kent Smith, Sr., “Kent,” born on October 16, 1952, in Bristol, Virginia, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, on December 25, 2024. He went peacefully after a period of hospice in the home of his son Jonathan. He was a devoted husband to Nora Lee Baumgardner Smith, “Lee,” with whom he shared a loving marriage of over 49 years. Kent was a graduate of Sullivan East High School and of Bristol Commercial College, where he earned an associate’s degree in accounting. He was a faithful member of Denton Valley Missionary Baptist Church, where he taught Sunday School for over four decades. He began work for Paty Lumber Company on May 1, 1975, and continued with them until their acquisition by Builders FirstSource in 2001, when he transferred to their door shop, from which he retired in 2019. His transition to the door shop proved to be a special blessing, during which he enjoyed wonderful Christian fellowship with his colleagues there.

Kent was preceded in death by his father Clay Kent Smith and mother Dorothy Lee Wright Smith. Kent is survived by his wife Lee and his three children: son Jonathan, daughter Jessica Smith Rasnake and her husband Jason, and son Douglas Jr. and his wife Krystal. He was a proud grandfather to seven grandchildren: Elizabeth, Esther, Michael, Emma, Elijah, Kenley, and Edith, who brought him immense joy.

In addition to his immediate family, Kent is survived by his brother Gordon and wife Joy; special nieces Nora Cook and Lorie Baumgardner who were a special blessing in Kent’s last few months; a cherished aunt Louise Smith; as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He also leaves many wonderful friends, including Matt and Melody Helton and Sam and Mickie Price.

Kent was known for his faith, his warm heart, his dedication to family, his love of country, and the love of Christ he shared with those around him. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, December 29, 2024, from 2:00 until 4:00 P.M. at Frost Funeral Home Chapel, 250 East Main Street, Abingdon, Virginia.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, December 30, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. at Greenwood Freewill Baptist Church, 26397 Denton Valley Road, Abingdon, Virginia, with Brother Gary Rowlette and Brother Gordon Smith, with a eulogy shared by Kent’s children. A graveside service in Greenwood Cemetery will immediately follow. Pallbearers are grandsons Michael and Elijah, Jonathan Baumgardner, Freddy Hall, Wyatt Holman, and Sammy Price. Honorary pallbearers are the men of Denton Valley Missionary Baptist Church, Cornerstone Freewill Baptist Church, and Builders FirstSource.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Greenwood Cemetery, 26192 Denton Valley Road, Abingdon, Virginia, or Gateway Christian School, 1 Gateway Drive, Middlesboro, KY 40965.

Frost Funeral Home and Cremation Services is honored to serve the family of Mr. Douglas Kent Smith, Sr.