Michael William Smith, known affectionately as Smitty, will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. He passed away on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at Saint Joseph Hospital in Lexington. He was born on June 12, 1977 in Lebanon to William Henry Smith and Mary Emma (Brown) Smith.

A hard worker at heart, he carried a deep desire to take care of everyone around him. He was the kind of person who would call or text just to check in, making sure his close friends and family were "straight." That simple habit said everything about who he was — someone who showed up for the people he loved, consistently and without being asked.

Life wasn't always easy for him. He faced real struggles and barriers from a young age, but he didn't let that define him. While incarcerated, he made the decision to better himself and earned his GED, a testament to his resilience and determination to grow no matter the circumstances. During that time, he also grew closer to God, spending consistent time in the Bible and building a faith that stayed with him.

Those who knew him will tell you he had one of the biggest hearts they'd ever encountered — he'd give you the shirt off his back in the snow, without a second thought. He loved cracking jokes and could keep a room laughing until their stomachs hurt. He loved to dance and sing, and he filled countless gatherings with that joy, leaving behind a trail of memories of singing, dancing, and laughing together with the people he loved. He was a proud supporter of U of L and dreamed of one day traveling outside the country.

Above all, his mom meant the world to him, and he honored her in everything he did. His siblings were his everything. His fiancée held his heart. His daughter and his step-daughters held a special place in his life as well, and he tried to make sure they always knew it. He took it as a personal mission to protect his nieces and nephews, always meeting them with encouragement and pushing them to become even better than he was. He believed in them deeply, and that belief will live on in how they carry themselves forward.

He was, simply put, the brightest light in any room. Smitt Dogg will forever be missed, and the love he poured into others will continue to be felt for generations to come.

Smitty was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, George Franklin Brown and Lucy Mae Brown.

Survivors include his parents, William Henry Smith and Mary Emma Smith; fiancée, Crystal Star Rowland; daughter, Promise Resha Litsey; step-children, Adrianna "Peaches" Rowland, and Jada Ayers' brother, Martin Smith; and sister, Michelle Brown.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at Bosley Funeral Home, with Rev. Pat Neal officiating. Interment will follow in Ryder Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 9:00 A.M. until the time of the service on Saturday at Bosley Funeral Home .