James Edward Smallwood

James Edward Smallwood, 71, passed away peacefully and surrounded by his family at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington, KY on Thursday, August 6, 2020. Jim is survived by his wife and best friend of 36 years, Karen Sue Hampton Smallwood, of Catlettsburg, KY; his loving children, son, James R. (Kelly) Smallwood of Catlettsburg, KY; daughter, Kelly Smallwood (Brandon) Starling of Folsom, CA; daughter, Annie Smallwood of Lexington, KY; and his four adoring grandchildren: Haleigh Smallwood, Hannah (J.D.) Adams, Hope Smallwood, and Ryan Starling. He is also survived by four siblings: brother, Leonard (Bonnie) Smallwood of Ashland, KY, and three sisters, Linda (Earl) Hardeman of Ashland, KY, Stella (Lester) Bradshaw of Johnstown, CO, and Angie (Scott) Barker of Ashland, KY as well as many nieces and nephews and a host of extended family and friends. Jim was born in Ashland, KY to the late William Harvey and Icy Osborne Smallwood. In addition to his parents, Jim is preceded in death by two brothers, Donald and Carl Smallwood: and two sisters, Louise Taylor and Brenda Smallwood. Jim grew up in Ashland, attending Ironville and Boyd County High School. After high school, Jim joined the United States Air Force and served proudly as a SSGT in the Vietnam era. He then became Owner/Operator of Razor’s Edge in Flatwoods, KY where he worked for 40 years before recently retiring to have more time to enjoy life with his family. Jim enjoyed attending services at 13th Street Baptist Church in Ashland, KY. He was an avid UK fan and loved fishing and spending time on the lake. He enjoyed music and was quite a guitar player. Anyone who ever met Jim would be the first to tell you what a funny, kind, giving, honest man he was. He would give you the shirt off his back and keep you in stitches laughing while he did. He is loved and will be missed by so many. Visitation will be from 6 P.M. – 9 P.M. on Tuesday, August 11, 2020 at 13th Street Baptist Church (1812 13th Street Ashland, KY 41101) and one hour prior to services on Wednesday. The funeral service will be held at 11 A.M. at 13th Street Baptist with Pastor Jim Byrd officiating. Burial will follow at Kentucky Veteran’s Cemetery North East in Greenup, KY. The family has requested visitors wear masks. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in James’ honor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. You can mail checks to 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or you can donate online by going to https://www.stjude.org/donate.   The family has entrusted Bailey Family Funeral Home in Flatwoods, KY with the arrangements. Condolences can be expressed at baileyfamilyfuneralhome.com