Melissa Eve Marie Smith
Melissa Eve Marie Smith, lovingly known as Missy, was born on July 23, 1968, in Columbus, Ohio, and later made her home in Hebron, Kentucky. A proud 1986 graduate of Boone County High School, she carried her bright spirit, quick wit, and unmistakable sense of humor with her throughout her life. She passed away on October 30, 2025, at the age of 57, after a hard-fought battle with cancer, surrounded by her family.
Missy’s greatest joy was being a mother to Alexa Jordan Smith and Austin Jacob Smith. They were the light of her world, and she was their devoted supporter, biggest cheerleader, and a steady source of love. Her home was always open, her hugs freely given, and time together—especially over a family dinner—was something she treasured. That love extended to her beloved granddogs, Si and Ruby, who held their own special places in her heart.
To know Missy was to know the joy of a perfectly timed one-liner. She was quick, funny, and never short of a comeback. Her friendship with her soul sister, Tracy, was filled with endless banter, shared laughter, and the comfort of knowing each other deeply. Their back-and-forth was a language all its own, built over years of friendship and love. Missy’s humor is something those closest to her will always hear in their memories—the familiar reply, the unexpected remark, and the laughter that followed.
She found happiness in things that were wonderfully, unmistakably her: hunting for treasures in thrift stores, watching ridiculous reality TV, and popping bubbles in games on her phone. She loved alligators, adored a good thrift-store find, and found her happy place in Panama City Beach, Florida. These simple pleasures were part of the person her family and friends knew and loved.
Missy was devoted to her work and took pride in what she did. She brought that same loyalty to her relationships, showing up for the people she loved with a helping hand, a listening ear, or a bit of humor when it was needed most. Her nieces and nephews adored their Aunt Missy for her playful spirit and loving heart.
She had recently been attending Florence Methodist Church, where she found spiritual connection and fellowship. Her faith was a quiet, steady presence in her life.
Missy leaves behind her children, Alexa and Austin; her husband, Roger Smith; her father, Michael Collins; her siblings, Nick, Sarah, and Mike; her cousins, Nina, Oscar, and Valerie; many beloved nieces and nephews; her soul sister, Tracy; and friends who became family. She was preceded in death by her mother, Grace Collins.
She will be missed in the everyday moments: an empty place at the dinner table, a thrift-store treasure she would have loved, a television show begging for her commentary, and a joke that only she could finish just right. Those who loved her will carry her with them—in their stories, in their laughter, and in the lasting warmth of having been loved by Missy.
Melissa’s life, in a printed book
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The world Melissa knew
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