Cornelia "Connie" Kuykendall Smith
Did you know Cornelia "Connie"? Please share your stories and photos, and help spread the word about this page!
Cornelia (Connie) Kuykendall Smith passed away in Maryville at 92 years of age on November 6, 2022. She is preceded in death by her husband, Russell Paul Smith Jr. and her sister Helen K. Shelley.
Cornelia graduated with a B.S. in Physical Education from the University of North Carolina Greensboro in 1951. She married Russell Paul Smith Jr. in 1952. They stayed together for 68 harmonious years until his death in 2020. Together they raised two daughters, Jan and Juliann, who have families of their own.
Physical fitness was a constant throughout her life. She was an avid golfer as a member of the Oak Ridge Country Club. She loved swimming and was a member of Swimmin' Women in Oak Ridge. When not in the pool or on the green, she could be found in yoga classes, or perhaps weight lifting.
Because of her love for classical music the local public radio station was the background music of her life, and she supported them with yearly donations; she volunteered with Oak Ridge Civic Music Association. Because of her love for education, she volunteered as a tutor, taught her daughters and grandchildren to swim. Because she was a caring person she volunteered at NHC HealthCare Oak Ridge. She never lost her love of learning, avidly reading and discussing books, participating in ORICL classes.
Although physical fitness and a community connection were important, family and friends were the central pillar to her life. A gracious generous host, she opened her home with kindness, laughter, and memorable meals.
There will be a memorial service to honor both Connie and her late husband, Russ Smith at 2 pm Saturday, November 12, 2022 at the United Church, Chapel on the Hill, 85 Kentucky Ave, Oak Ridge, TN. If you are inclined to donate in their memories, please consider a gift to the Chapel on the Hill.
You can view the whole obituary at cremationbygrandview.com/obituaries.