Date of Birth
September 29, 1998
Date of Death
February 13, 2025
Location
Indianapolis, Indiana
Who She Was
Her Story
Ashlynn Jeannette Smith, 26, of Washington, Indiana went to be with Jesus on Thursday, February 13, 2025 while under the care of Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. She was born Ashlynn Jeannette Douglas on September 29, 1998 in Owensboro, Kentucky and was raised in Central City, Kentucky.
This is the same day she gave birth to her second Daughter (Selah Ann).
All Ashlynn ever wanted was to be a wife and a mother. God granted this to this faithful young lady in that for the last year she proudly loved, cared for, and parented Lilah Jeannette with the love of her life, Jonathan Daniel Smith of Washington formerly of Otwell, Indiana.
It didn’t take long when you met Ashlynn to find out she was something special. She was proud of her Kentucky Roots and her “Yall” was authentic. She was easy to make friends with. She cared about you. Thousands of people across the county have had their lives made better by knowing her.
Washington, Indiana became her home after her and Jonathan graduated Oakland City University where they met on the first day of class as Freshmen. Jonathan sat next to her and the rest was History.
Later in their courtship, they kissed under the well house at Oakland City University. OCU history accounts that any couple that did this was destined to be united in marriage which they did at her home church Green River Chapel in Central City, Kentucky. This is also where her ministry began 15 years ago. Ashlynn and Jonathan both sang with OCU’s student lead music groups. They traveled while singing their way through college.
If you had the opportunity to worship with her, you know she had a gift. Seeing her on stage leading worship was the evidence of her anointing.
After college she and Jonathan served the Lord in music and production ministry with their church Bethany Christian of Washington but at a satellite campus in Vincennes. Later they served on a church plant team in Princeton, Indiana. They traveled across time zones twice weekly for rehearsals and services. Their church was held in a movie theater temporarily. They worked to set up and tear down church every week. They were faithful. They both loved to sing and make music in praise of their Savior. Most recently, they served as interim Worship Leaders at North Friendship General Baptist Church in Lynnville, Indiana.
Ashlynn loved being a Mommy, it was natural to her. She loved teaching, she loved her students. In her classroom, “Kind was Cool” and “the future was today.” She loved her family of co-workers.
Aside being a Mommy, a Wife, a teacher, she loved music. That love her and Jonathan both had for music has resulted in their daughter Lilah Jeannette also loving music. When they discovered they were pregnant with their second child, they decided to name her Selah Ann. Selah is Hebrew for “Song of Praise”
Ashlynn gave her life to perform the greatest song of praise imaginable. Her earthly body succumbed to complications while giving birth to Selah Ann. John 15:13 says “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down their life for another.” Selah is a perfect and healthy baby girl that looks just like her sister.
Ashlynn loved to travel, Florida to the beach and Disney, Smoky Mountains, the lake, Cedar Point, California, Las Vegas, Niagara Falls, Canada, Bahamas. She and her dad hunted wild pigs in Oklahoma where she bagged a massive boar. She could laugh till she cried. She loved to read a good book. She loved to shop. She loved amusement park rides. The beach was a special place, and even better at sunset. She loved Professional Football, and specifically the Indianapolis Colts.
She was welcomed in Heaven by her Nannie & Pappaw Marshall and Carolyn Douglas, Great Nanny Jean Southerland, and Great Grandma Dot Dorthy Morgan.
Ashlynn is survived by the love of her life Jonathan. Their daughter Lilah Jeannette, their daughter Selah Ann. Her mother and father Jarrod and Amy Douglas of Central City, Kentucky. Her sister Amberlynn Douglas of Central City. Her cousin Jordan Douglas of Midland, Kentucky. Her Nana and Gandad Jim and Diane Morgan of Greenville, Kentucky. Her Grandpa and Grandma Steve and Brenda Southerland of Russellville, Kentucky. Her Unk and Aunt Ashley Jared (Ashley) Southerland of Greenville, Kentucky. Great Papa John Southerland of Russellville, KY. Her mother and father-in-law Mark and Jeannine Smith of Otwell, Indiana. Her brothers and sisters-in-law Chad (Shannon) Smith, Caleb (Amanda) Smith, Josh (Lacey) Smith. Nieces and Nephews Kianna Brielle, Adalyn Claire, Zane David, Paxton Elliott, Henry William, Lynley Jean, Uriah Paul, Thea Marie. Two puppies Bucky and Honey. And many, many friends considered family…. You just had to know her and to know her is to love her.