Ellen Smith Potter, age 97, of Barbourville, died Wednesday, May 3, 2017 at her home. She was a daughter of the late Cal and Myrtle Gibson Smith, born to them on May 25, 1919 at Hammons Fork.

Mrs. Potter was a well known Knox County Homemaker, and a Member of the Bethesda Baptist Church.

In 1934, she united in marriage to Charles H. Callebs and to this union one son: Lenvil Callebs was born; In 1938, she united in marriage to Theodore Combs and to this union one son: Vernon Combs was born; In 1941, she united in marriage to Need Potter, Sr. and to this union four children: Norma Sue Potter, Leon Potter, Janice Lynn Potter and Need Potter, Jr. were born.

Along with her Husbands, she was preceded in death by her son: Vernon Combs; her daughter: Janice Lynn Potter Trent; her step-daughter: Barbara Jean Williams; her grandson: Vernon Lee Gambrel; her great granddaughter: Angelica Hamilton; her two great grandsons: Joshua Ginter and Daniel McKitrick; her nine brothers and sisters: Lloyd Smith, Carl Smith, Crit Smith, John H. Smith, Cal Smith Jr., Hallie Smith Mills, Sally Smith Mathis, Beatrice Smith Simpson, and a infant baby Smith all preceded her in death.

She is survived by her loving family: Her children: Lenvil Callebs and wife, Ellen of Girdler; Leon Potter and wife, Shirley of Turkey Creek; Need Potter Jr. of Rutledge, Tennessee; and Norma Sue Potter Hamilton and husband, Jimmy of Dayton, Ohio.
Her son-in-law: Clyde Trent of Woollum.
Her sister-in-law: Loretta Smith of Southgate, Michigan.
Her five granddaughters and seven grandsons; several great grandchildren, and several great great grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews; and dear friends: Roxanna and Danny Hatfield of Sharps Gap; and many other relatives, and friends to mourn her passing.

Funeral Services for Ellen Smith Potter will be 1:00 P.M. Friday, May 5, 2017 in the Hopper Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Tommy Frazier officiating.
Burial will follow in the Willie Harrison Smith Memorial Gardens in Barbourville.

Those serving as Pallbearers will be the Grandsons of Mrs. Potter.

The Potter family would like to say a Special Thanks to: Dr. Paul Pedersen and his Staff; the Knox County Home Health Care Staff; and the Barbourville Blue Grass Hospice Staff.

The Potter family will receive friends at the Hopper Funeral Home after 11:00 A.M. on Friday and until the funeral hour.

Hopper Funeral Home will be in charge of arrangements.