‘Never met a stranger.’ Downtown Lexington fixture known for generosity, warmth dies
James L. “Smitty” Smith, a familiar face to many in downtown Lexington known for his welcoming presence at Columbia Steakhouse and the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, died this week. He was 89.
Smith worked with the sheriff’s office for 28 years, mostly in the court services division.
“Smitty was a lifelong friend and a faithful public servant not only to our team but also to our community,” Sheriff Kathy Witt said. “Smitty never met a stranger and made everyone feel valued.”
Fayette County Commonwealth’s Attorney Lou Anna Red Corn first met Smith at Columbia’s Steakhouse, where he worked as a maitre d’ for many years. She got to know him better when he joined the sheriff’s office.
“It was genius for the sheriff to put him at the front door of the courthouse, not for the security, but for his ability to make people feel welcome,” Red Corn said. “A courthouse can be an intimidating place for those that don’t come there very often. But like other institutions, it belongs to the people, and the people should not feel intimidated but welcomed to enter. James “Smitty” Smith accomplished that with his perpetual smile and his warm words.”
Before coming to the sheriff’s office, Smith had also worked for 27 years at the Bluegrass Army Depot and 13 years as a supply clerk with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He also worked at Smitty’s Restaurant in Chevy Chase until it closed in 1990.
Smith was a fixture at the downtown Columbia Steakhouse for decades and was known for his generosity, especially toward young and struggling college students.
“It was just his hospitality and ability to make everybody feel really special,” said Flo Cowley, general manager of the Columbia Steakhouse downtown.
“His trademark ‘uniform’ . . . his tuxedo . . . was a touch of panache that he wore as the most popular and beloved of Lexington residents,” Cowley wrote on the Columbia Steakhouse Facebook page.
The post announcing Smith’s Tuesday (March 24) death was shared hundreds of times, and the comment section was filled with people who remembered his presence at the restaurant.
Smith was from Indian Hills in Clark County and moved to Lexington in 1956, according to the sheriff’s office. He was an active member of the First African Baptist Church.
“Smitty always, always was already at the office when I came into work, was immaculately dressed and had a kind word for me,” court services Chief Deputy Eric Campbell said. “If I could say just two words to sum up Smitty, they would be positive and caring. To say Smitty was positive is like saying the sun is bright.”
Hawkins-Taylor Funeral Home in Lexington is handling the arrangements.
This story was originally published March 27, 2020 at 11:47 AM.
