Kent E. Smith

.Kent Edward Smith, 35, of Athens, Ohio, formerly of Mount Alto, passed away with his loved ones by his side on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, the result of diabetes and other chronic illnesses. He was wrapped tightly in the love of his family at the home of his grandmother, Dotty Hayes, in Cottageville, where he had been receiving hospice care for the past five weeks.

He was born December 1, 1987, in Point Pleasant, the son of Charles Edward “Eddie” Smith and Rhonda Kay Haynes Lee. He was raised in Mount Alto, where he developed a keen interest in hunting and fishing. He graduated from Point Pleasant High School in 2006 and earned an associate degree in Medical Management from the University of Phoenix in 2015. Kent combined his love of fishing with his artistic talents, eventually opening his own business, E9 Custom Lures, which grew to having an international customer base. He enjoyed sharing his fishing interests with the members of the Athens County, Ohio Bassmasters. He was a big fan of The Ohio State football.

n 2012, he married Allana Cottrill of Athens, Ohio, and they built their life together on a foundation of family, friends and love. Kent was extremely proud of his family, and his highest priorities were his children, wife, mother and grandmother. His kind heart, engaging personality and easy-going nature were such that strangers quickly became friends.

Left to cherish Kent’s memory are his wife, Allana; children Leia, Emmett, Beau, Ben and Eric; his mother, Rhonda Lee (Kelly) of Cottageville; his father, Eddie Smith (Lazenda) of Letart; brothers Andy Smith of Mount Alto, Lewis Akers (Jen) of Morgantown, Gattlin (Silvia) Akers of Morgantown and Frankie (Grace) Lee of Ripley; grandmother Dotty Hayes (Frank) of Cottageville; uncle Allen Haynes of Mount Alto; aunts Charlotte (PeeWee) Denney of Letart and Lana Smith of Mount Alto. He was predeceased by his maternal grandfather, James Allen Haynes, Sr., and paternal grandparents Edward and Evelyn Smith.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 25, at 6 p.m. at Waybright Funeral Home, 511 Church St. South in Ripley, West Virginia. Pastor Randy Parsons will officiate. The family will welcome visitors at the funeral home from 5 p.m. Saturday, November 25, until the time of service. Online condolences may be shared at waybrightfuneralhome.com.

Kent’s favorite charity was the local food pantry started by his mother during the pandemic. He was very proud of the efforts made there to fight food insecurity for Jackson County area residents. In lieu of flowers, cash or food donations will be gratefully accepted by the pantry to Rhonda Lee, 11 Pine St., Cottageville, West Virginia 25239, or via Venmo/PayPal/Cash App at Rhonda.Lee.wv@gmail.com. In the Memo, please note “In Memory of Kent Smith.”