Connie Joann Conatser Smith was born on August 9, 1956, in Albany, Kentucky, and passed away on December 30, 2025, surrounded by love at her daughter’s home in Crossville, Tennessee. Connie was a protector by nature and by calling. Through her work as an advocate for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, she spent her life standing between pain and hope, offering strength, compassion, and safety to countless others.

Her work was not just a job—it was who she was. She is survived by her husband, David Smith; her daughter, Monica (Omar) Arroyo; granddaughter Ana Laredo; grandsons Casper Gentry, Axl Arroyo, and Greysun Arroyo; great-grandson Cruz Green; and a great-grandson soon to arrive, Miklo Arroyo. She is also lovingly remembered by Kyle Shennum, Tayler Martin, and Cheyenne Boyd.

She was reunited in passing with her parents, Anna Mae and Ernest Conatser; her brother Larry Conatser; and her sisters Betty Peters and Wanda Poston. Services will be held at Crossville Memorial Funeral Home and Crematory on January 6th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.