Beverly L. Hinkle Smits

By Editor | October 12, 2025 |

Beverly L. Hinkle Smits, a loving mother, grandmother, and sister, passed away quietly at her home on October 10, 2025. Beverly was preceded in death by her husband, of over 50 years, John O. Smits, her parents, Charlie and Hazel Hinkle of Little Rock, Kentucky; mother-in-law, Bobby Yazell; father-in-law, Adrian Smits of Paris; and a brother Richard “Bugs” Hinkle.
Beverly leaves behind a daughter, Kristine Smits (Tim Stacy); sons, Jonathan Neal (Heidi) Smits, James Travis (Bridget) Smits; a sister and brother-in-law, Charlene and Jeff Gilvin, and a sister-in-law, Beverly Hinkle. Also surviving is a bonus son, Dewayne Rickerson; ten grandchildren, Matthew Tipton, Katelynn Smits, Makenzie Smits, Jonathan Smits, Lacie Smits, Abbie Smits, Morgan Smits, Lauren Smits, Shelby Davis, Caleb Davis; a very special niece, Becky (Jermey) Havens; and great nieces Brooklyn and Maddie Havens.
Beverly graduated from Bourbon County High School in 1968, married John in 1969, and graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in Political Science.
Over the years she spent most of her time working for attorneys before becoming Bourbon County Circuit Clerk, holding the office for two terms. She had been an active member of the Lions Club, MMI Boosters, and on the Reunion Committee for the 1968 graduating class of Bourbon County High School.
Visitation for Beverly L. Hinkle Smits, was held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Hinton-Turner Funeral Home on Tuesday evening, October 14, 2025, with funeral on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Rex Graham officiating.
The graveside blessing immediately followed at Evergreen Memorial Gardens with casket bearers being Neal Smits, Travis “Tee” Smits, Charlie DeAtley, Tim Stacy, Eddie Sosby, Rick Mattox, Dewayne Rickerson, and Mikey Fuller. Honorary bearers were the 1968 graduating class of Bourbon County High School.
In lieu of flowers the family suggest memorial donations to Bluegrass Hospice Care, 1317 US HWY 62E, Cynthiana, Kentucky 41031 or the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, Virginia 22116-7023 or on line at https://diabetes.org. www.hintonturner.com