Cornelious "Cotton" Smith

Cornelious "Cotton" Smith was born on August 4, 1952, in Clay County, Tennessee and passed away at his residence on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at the age of 73.

Cornelious was the son of Buford Lee Smith and Opal Alene Moore Smith. He was a member of Liberty Missionary Baptist Church; in his free time, he enjoyed tinkering with cars where his mechanic abilities allowed him to disassemble cars and put them back together. He also loved trading guns and knives.

He was preceded in death by his parents: brothers, Larry Smith and Cornell Smith; sister, Emma Jean Strong.

He is survived by his spouse, Wanda Smith; sons, Joshua (Rena) Smith of Hestand, KY, Kenny (Renee) Arterburn of Cave City, KY; daughters, Cindy (Wally) Strode of Tompkinsville, KY, Christy (Jeff) Richardson of Indianapolis, IN, Suzette Smith of Tompkinsville, KY; brother Kent (Susie) Smith of Moss, TN; sisters, Christine Barrett of Murfreesboro, TN, Nora White of Tompkinsville, KY, Eva Nell Moore of Moss, TN, Diana (Steve) Taylor of Glasgow, KY; 15 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; and a special great granddaughter: Allie (Too Tall) Anderson of Celina, TN.

Visitation will be on Monday November 24, 2025, 4:00 P.M. till 8:00 P.M. at Clay County Funeral Home. Visitation will follow on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, from 10:00 A.M. till service time. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at 1:00 P.M. in the Chapel of Clay County Funeral Home with Bro. Elijah Smith officiating.

Pallbearers will be Brock Smith, Jake Copeland, Jared Copeland, Adam York, Seth Arterburn, Brooks Arterburn, Carl Philpott, and Coltan Anderson. Honorary Pallbearers: Mark Carpenter, Brian Hale, Dwight Rich, Troy Crawford, Wally Strode, Bozzie Geralds, Jeff Richardson, and Billy Gene Smith.

Burial will follow in Moore Cemetery.

The family has requested memorial donations be made to assist with funeral expenses.

Clay County Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. (931) 243-5050