Close friends, family, faculty and other members of the Lipscomb community filled the main floor of Collins Alumni Auditorium to celebrate the life of Lipscomb senior education major Kelcy Smart Wednesday evening. Smart died during Thanksgiving break at the age of 22.
The university’s A Cappella Singers, a group that Smart was heavily involved with during her time at Lipscomb, performed several hymns and songs as guests were being seated. Dr. Scott Sager, Lipscomb’s vice president of church relations, welcomed everyone and said a prayer to start the memorial service. Dr. Jackie Halstead gave a personal reflection of how she came to know Smart. Halstead was the faculty adviser for Delta Xi, the social club in which Smart held membership.
In the middle of the service, two of Smart’s closet friends–seniors Bethany Ink, a Delta Xi sister, and David Grayson–shared precious memories of their time with her. Grayson honored Smart by quoting lines from one of her favorite hymns, “Be Still My Soul,” and Ink said that she will never meet someone like her ever again.
Dr. Dwight Tays said that three characteristics–thoughtfulness, her smile and kindness–will always be a reminder of Smart and commended her parents, who were in attendance, on how well they had raised her.
The service continued with a song, “Blessed be Your Name,” by adjunct professor Terry Cheatham, who is the praise and worship minister at Western Hills Church of Christ, where Smart attended. Dean Scott McDowell gave encouragement through scripture. McDowell read from the story of Lazarus and encouraged the family that even though Smart was not present physically, they can find comfort in knowing that she is with the Savior Jesus Christ.
President Randy Lowry closed by reminding those in attendance that Smart’s death shows the Lipscomb family how to grieve and demonstrates the importance of community and the knowledge of faith. He also expressed that it is during times like these when faith gets stronger, and the incredible gift of being a faith community allows Lipscomb to get through these times better than a public university. Before the benediction was held, Cheatham returned to sing Smart’s favorite, “It Is Well With My Soul,” along with the A Cappella Singers and members of the audience. Guests were led to the lobby to meet with the family and offer a note of encouragement.
A scholarship fund will be set up by the university to honor Smart’s memory. It will be awarded to an education major who is in financial need.