Renee Price Smith
February 16, 1943 - March 24, 2024

Lexington, Kentucky - Renée Price Smith, a longtime resident of Lexington, died on March 24, 2024 surrounded by her family. Renée was born on February 16th, 1943 in Whitesburg, Kentucky, the daughter of Nazaretta Hays Price and Roland Porter Price. Her family moved to Lexington in 1955 and Renée graduated from Lafayette High School where she was first chair in the saxophone section of the famed Lafayette High School Marching Band. While in high school she qualified for her private pilot's license and flew her father to business meetings. At Christian College in Columbia, Missouri she graduated summa cum laude. She went on to Vanderbilt University where she double majored in chemistry and biology and applied for medical school where she was accepted at UK Medical Center. But while a senior she met her future husband, Dr. William Clifton Smith at a Vanderbilt football game. Unfortunately, Clifton was accepted at Washington University Medical School in St. Louis, so Renée decided not to go to UK but went instead to St. Louis and enrolled in graduate studies at the Central Institute for the Deaf. Engagement soon followed and they were married at Calvary Baptist Church on August 13th,1966. Two years later she gave birth to their first child, Christopher.

After a year in Lexington while Clifton was an intern at UK, they moved to Augusta Georgia taking with them a second child, Jennifer. Three years later they moved back to Lexington with a third child, Melanie. After a rest period their fourth and last child, Caroline arrived.

Renée was a member of First Presbyterian Church for 50 years where she served as deacon, Sunday school teacher and longtime choir member. She was involved with several fund drives. She was active in the Women's Medical Auxiliary, the Lexington Ballet Company and was on the board of the Lexington Philharmonic Endowment Fund. She also served as a docent at the UK Art Museum.

In 1980 she and her husband bought and managed Heinsmith Galleries. They travelled far and wide looking for unique items for the Galleries.

Renée excelled at cooking, parenting and entertaining her many friends in their home on Warrenwood Wynd.

Renée was a strong-willed redhead who never hesitated to present her point-of-view-even when not solicitated. Family was the most important thing in her life. As with most grandmothers she adored her seven grandchildren and they loved her in return.

In addition to her husband of 58 years, Dr. William Clifton Smith, she is survived by four children and seven grandchildren: Christopher Roland Todd Smith of San Francisco with daughter, Olivia Kathryn Marie Smith; Jennifer Renée Hays Erickson (Hardy Link) of Nashville with daughter, Abigail McKenzie Erickson and sons, Houston Porter Erickson and Colton West Erickson; Melanie Elise Corinne Leach of Lexington with son, Jackson William Nathaniel Leach and two daughters, Corinne Virginia Renée Leach and Caroline Alexandria Bosworth Leach, and daughter Caroline Elizabeth Clarice Smith of Lexington. Two white Golden Retrievers will miss her feeding them tidbits from her plate at the table. She is also survived by a brother, Dr. David Porter Price of Adairsville, Ky; a sister-in-law, Dianne Tomer of Canton, Ohio; A brother-in law, James Walter Smith (Rebecca) of Griffen, Georgia; 12 nieces and nephews and several Great-nieces and Great-nephews. She was preceded in death by a sister, Jennifer Price Stephan Smith and a brother-in-law, Joe Terry Smith.

The family invites friends to call at the home, 1881 Honey Spring Place (Castlegate) between 2pm and 8pm on Thursday. The funeral will take place at 1:30 pm Friday, March 29th at First Presbyterian Church, 171 Mill Street, Lexington. Interment in the Lexington Cemetery. Reception afterwards at The Apiary 218 Jefferson Street.