Kentucky tornado victim was an admired retired teacher, had a passion for animals

The ashes of Sherri Smith’s cherished dog Cupcake were buried with her Wednesday after Smith died in the tornado that swept through Laurel County May 16.

Cupcake held such a revered role in Smith’s life that he was mentioned in her obituary, which said the retired Clay County High School teacher, “who had a great love and passion for animals,” was preceded in death by her “furbaby: Cupcake.”

Cupcake was just shy of 15 when he died in April, ahead of the storm that took his mother’s life, Smith’s son Brett Smith told the Herald-Leader this week.

“One of the ministers at her funeral said she was for the underdog, and that may have been the best way to describe her,” Brett Smith said in a statement Thursday. “She always sort of took up with the odd man (and woman) out and made that person feel like they were not just included but wanted. That applies to the animals she worked with, too.”

Kentucky Mutts Animal Rescue Director Vikki Crook said she met Sherri, 68, about five years ago when she started volunteering to foster animals. The rescue, funded 100% by donations, hosts events to raise money it uses to board animals, cover medical expenses and more.

Crook said Sherri loved working on events, especially for Halloween and Christmas.

“We had a horrific rain one night when we were raising money during an event at Texas Roadhouse,” Crook said, “and there she was, soaking wet, going in with us doing fundraising.”

Sherri was someone who “never said no regardless of what I asked her to do,” Crook said. “She was always happy, she was always positive.”

Services for Sherri were held Wednesday at Rominger Funeral Home in Manchester.

In addition to animals, Sherri had a passion for her work as a high school English teacher. Her former students at Clay County High School knew of her love of animals and joined the clean up and rescue efforts last Saturday, Crook said.

In a Facebook post, school officials said, “Clay County High School is deeply saddened by the sudden passing of our retired English teacher, Ms. Sherri Smith. Known to her students as Ms. Sherri, Sherri truly loved literature, plays, and more importantly, her students. She was always delighted to see them, greeted everyone with a smile, and she made everyone feel welcome.”

Former student Amanda Bolin Varney said in a Facebook post, “She was my favorite teacher. A few things about her: she loved the kids that had issues beyond what education could fix. Her quick wit would put out a sour mood and her Diet Coke tucked away in her desk drawer would push her through day after day. She taught many students that didn’t like school and didn’t want to be there. She listened, loved and gave great advice.”

“She’s irreplaceable,” Crook said.

Brett Smith said at least one former student paid tribute to his mother this week.

“I think about the individual that placed a signed photo of himself in her casket with the words ‘Thank you for believing in me’ written on it. There’s probably a few hundred more people like that out there that would’ve wanted to do something similar. I’d love someday to hear their stories,” he said.