Bobby Gayle Smith, 69, of Lexington, and husband of Elizabeth “Betsy” Smith passed away on Friday, January 16, 2026. He was born to Charlsey Louise and the late Charles Robert (Bob) Smith on February 10, 1956 in Frankfort. He was a member of the Christian faith. 

Bobby was a graduate of Franklin County High School, Class of 1974. He retired from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet in 2004.  

Bobby loved all sports. Whether it be coaching, watching his son and grandkids play, playing sports with the grandkids or attending games. He also loved racing - dirt tracks and NASCAR. Bobby and Betsy loved traveling, driving the RV to new places and enjoying the water.  Lake Cumberland was definitely his happy place. Bobby had a special relationship with his son, CJ and his Dad. He enjoyed buying and selling cars with his Dad at B and B Auto Sales.   

In addition to his loving wife of nearly 30 years Betsy, he is survived by his mother Charlsey Louise Smith; three children, Charles Jason “C.J.” (Soledad) Smith, Drew Thomas (Liz) Boyd, and Lauren Elizabeth (Dustin) Hill; grandchildren: Camila, Benjamin, Milagros, and Christian Smith; Blake, Reylan, and Sabrina Boyd; and Hagan Hill; two sisters, Regina (Ron) McCloud and Darby (Pete) McDonald; mother-in-law Helen Hague; and brothers-in-law, Michael “Mike” (Becky) Hague and Tommy (Cindy) Hague and a host of nieces and nephews. 

Saturday's service information revised below. The visitation will occur at the same times on Friday.

Services celebrating Bobby’s life will be held at Clark Legacy Center-Brannon Crossing. The visitation will take place on Friday, January 23rd from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. The funeral will occur Saturday at 10:30 a.m. Burial at Clintonville Cemetery will be private. Clark Legacy Center, 601 East Brannon Road, Nicholasville, Kentucky 40356   

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are encouraged to benefit the Best Friends Adult Day Care Center at Bridgepointe at Ashgrove Woods (https://bridgepointe.christiancarecommunities.org/get-involved/#donate) or to Bluegrass Care Navigators (Hospice) (https://www.bgcarenav.org/give).  

Pallbearers: Drew Boyd, Blake Boyd, Dustin Hill, Ryan Bishop, Eric McDonald, Tommy Hague, Pete McDonald and Mike Hague 

Click the Mementos tab located above this obituary text to watch his picture slideshow.