Loretta (Mayes) Smith

Loretta Mayes Arthur Smith was born February 6th, 1938 in Letcher County, Ky. She is survived by her daughter, Dr. Kim Arthur Dixon, of Lexington; two granddaughters, Dr. Rebekah Dixon McDaniel (Ethan) and Rachel Dixon; one great-grandson, Weston Ray McDaniel; three siblings, Jesse Mayes (Gwen), Dr. Jerry Mayes (Tina), and Mitzi Mayes Brown; two stepdaughters, Karen Hall (Ken) and Rita Smith, and their families; and several nieces and nephews, whom she adored. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Jimmie Allen Arthur and Paul D. Smith; daughters, Janet Arthur Hall and Rebecca Joyce Arthur; sons-in-law, Michael Hall and Wesley Thomas Dixon; sister, Anita Mayes; and parents Jeff and Hettie Mayes.

Loretta was a passionate educator and taught Math and Physics for several years at Whitesburg High School, where she was also coach for Academic Team and Math Counts. She briefly came out of retirement to teach Math at June Buchanan School after Jimmie passed away. She took great pride in her students and, in later years, enjoyed connecting with many on Facebook and learning where their paths had led them.

Loretta was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma and was a previous member of DAR. She loved cooking for her extended family, flower gardening, doll collecting, researching genealogy, playing bridge, traveling to new places, and decorating for Christmas. She was a Christian and was baptized in Whitesburg, Ky, where she lived for most of her life.

Loretta was a very loving and kind lady who would give of her time and possessions to make others happy. She always had a smile and wink for everyone.

Special thanks goes to all of her friends, neighbors, family, and former students who kept in touch and gave Loretta such happiness over the years. The family would also like to acknowledge the compassionate caregivers that Loretta encountered in Lexington, Ky, at Mayfair Manor, Sayre Christian Village, and through Comfort Keepers.

In lieu of expressions of sympathy, donations are suggested to one of Loretta’s favorite charities, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital. If you feel compelled to give beyond or in lieu of this, consider gifting a red rose (Loretta’s favorite) to someone special in your daily life.

A visitation for friends and family who live near Richmond, Ky, will be held at Oldham, Roberts and Powell Funeral Home on Tuesday, September 19th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. An additional visitation will take place the following day (Wednesday, September 20th) at Letcher Funeral Home in Whitesburg, Ky, from noon to 1:00 p.m. with funeral to follow. Burial will be at Hampton Cemetery in Letcher County.