Judy (Eldridge) Smith

Judy Eldridge Smith, age 74, of Crab Orchard, Kentucky, passed away unexpectedly Friday, February 27, 2026, at University of Kentucky Medical Center.  Born Thursday, April 5, 1951, in Ohio, she was the daughter of the late Vilas & Ruth Lee Riddle Eldridge.  Judy married Earl Edward Smith in 1968 and was a devoted homemaker.  Judy was a member of Liberty Baptist Church in Broughtontown, Kentucky, and enjoyed flower gardening, reading, cooking, sewing.  Her greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren. 

In addition to her husband, Judy leaves behind one son, James Smith (Carla Rouse) of Broughtontown; one daughter, Melissa Miracle (Brad Pemberton) of Broughtontown; three grandchildren, Brooklyn Caudill (Cameron) of Crab Orchard, Gabriella Smith and Isaac Smith both of Somerset, Kentucky; one great-grandson, Zachariah Caudill of Crab Orchard; five brothers, Jerry Lynn Eldridge of McKinney, Kentucky, Bennie Ray Eldridge (Colleen) of Somerset, Lonnie Dean Eldridge (Bernice) of Somerset, Bobby Dale Eldridge of Waynesburg, Kentucky, and Larry Joe Eldridge of Elizabethtown, Kentucky; four sisters, Doris Jean Eldridge of Mt. Vernon, Kentucky, Joyce Ann Eldridge of Somerset, Janie Mae Fortner of Virginia, and Janis Faye Forbes of Somerset; and numerous nephews, nieces, and other extended family members and friends who mourn her passing.

In addition to her parents, Judy was preceded in death by one grandson, Jaxon Edward Miracle; and two brothers, James Richard Eldridge and Ronald Lee Eldridge.

A Public Visitation will be held 5-8PM Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at Barnett, Demrow & Friend Funeral Home. 

A Public Funeral Service will be held 1PM Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at the funeral home.  Bro. Dan Gutenson will officiate the service.  The Funeral Service will be livestreamed on Judy’s memorial page of the funeral home’s website.

Burial will follow in Friendship Baptist Church Cemetery in Broughtontown. 

If anyone would like to join the family for a meal, following the graveside committal, at the Fellowship Hall of Friendship Baptist Church, please bring food before the family’s arrival for the meal.

Barnett, Demrow & Friend Funeral Home, Waynesburg, is entrusted with Judy’s arrangements.  Guest Book at www.friendfuneralhomes.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Judy (Eldridge) Smith, please visit our floral store.