John Kenneth "Ken" Smith

John Kenneth “Ken” Smith a long-time resident of Montgomery and recently of Lake Jordan in Wetumpka, passed away peacefully at home on February 13, 2025.  Ken was born on March 1, 1960, in Union Springs, Alabama.  Ken was preceded in death by his father John Carlton Smith.

He is survived by his wife of over 34 years, Brenda Flowers Smith; his mother Martha Walton Smith, of Vestavia Hills, AL; his brother William “Bill” Smith, of  Vestavia Hills, AL; niece Mary Elizabeth Smith (Seth Walls) of Vestavia Hills, AL; nephew William David Smith, of Vestavia Hills, AL; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Michael Wade Flowers and Cindy Hyatt Flowers, of Elba, AL; niece Jaymee Flowers, of Elba, AL; niece Tori O’Neal, of Huntsville, AL; niece Kelli King, of Albany, GA; nieces and nephews Nova, Apollo, Ayven and Maverick, of Albany, GA; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Ken received a B.S. degree in journalism from the University of Alabama in 1982 and a J.D. (law) degree from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1985. Ken and Brenda met during their first week of law school in 1982 and formed lifelong friendships with several of their law school classmates. Ken and Brenda had their first official date on March 1, 1985, Ken’s birthday. Upon graduation from law school, both had clerking jobs and moved to Montgomery where Ken clerked for Alabama Supreme Court Justice Hugh Maddox. Ken became the General Counsel for the Alabama League of Municipalities in 1986 and served in this role for 25 years until he was appointed as the Executive Director of the League of Municipalities in 2011. He retired from the League in June of 2020.

During his years with the League, Ken provided advice, guidance, and training to municipal officials, city clerks, revenue officers, and other municipal employees for over 450 member cities and towns. He wrote numerous articles and manuals on municipal government and co-authored handbooks and guides used by municipal elected officials. He frequently addressed state and local officials, employees, and others on matters affecting municipal government. He also served as a lobbyist for the League, drafting, negotiating, and lobbying for laws benefiting Alabama’s municipalities.

Ken served on the Board of Directors of the National League of Cities (NLC), as well as the NLC Finance Committee. He was selected by other League Directors around the country to chair the NLC Steering Committee in 2014 and in 2017. As General Counsel, Ken served on the Board of Directors for the International Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA) and served on many IMLA committees. While serving with IMLA and NLC, Ken formed lasting friendships with colleagues across the country.

Ken and Brenda traveled together, played golf together, and made numerous presentations together. They were both frequently invited to speak to the city clerks at their conferences, forming lifelong friendships across the state. Ken and Brenda played golf in all 50 states, reaching this milestone just before Ken retired.  After retirement they formed a traveling golf group and played around the country and in Ireland.

Ken and Brenda were married in 1990, at Whitfield Memorial Methodist Church in Montgomery and became members of First United Methodist Church in Montgomery in 2004. Ken was an active member of FUMC serving on various committees and working on various mission projects and trips. Ken was a member of the New Horizons Sunday School Class and the recently created Trinity Sunday School Class, frequently teaching Sunday School lessons to both classes.

A Celebration of Life will be held at First United Methodist Church, 2416 Cloverdale Park, in Montgomery at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, with visitation in the Fellowship Hall 2 hours before the service beginning at 12:00 noon. A private committal for family members will be held following the service in the church columbarium.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following:

First United Methodist Church

Missions Fund

2416 Cloverdale Park

Montgomery, AL 36106

Website: FUMCMontgomery.org

Or

Spring Valley School

2701 Sydney Dr.

Birmingham, AL  35211

Website: Springvalleyschool.org

(a private school for children with learning disabilities where his niece teaches)

As we extend our deepest condolences to you and your family during this difficult time, we would also like to express our upmost gratitude to you for entrusting us with your loved one. Magnolia Cremations & Funeral Services.

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