A Life Spent Noticing Joy
In Her Own Words
Christian Speaker, Singer & Storyteller
Kay DeKalb Smith has been encouraging audiences for more than four decades through speaking, singing, and storytelling. Whether she’s sharing a funny moment from family life or a quiet truth from Scripture, Kay has a way of making people feel seen, heard, and genuinely delighted to be alive.
Her ministry began long before the stages and the microphones — in kitchens, Sunday school rooms, and conversations with friends. Over time, what started as a gift among people she loved became a calling that has taken her across the country, into churches, retreat centers, and conference halls of every size.
Kay is a wife, mother, and grandmother whose faith is not a performance. It is the ground she stands on — and it shows in every story she tells.
The Early Years
Raised on Good Stories and Sunday Dinners
Kay grew up in a home where storytelling was practically a spiritual discipline. Family gatherings were long, loud, and full of laughter — the kind that made your sides ache and your heart full. She learned early that joy isn’t something you manufacture; it’s something you notice.
That gift of noticing — of finding the funny, the poignant, and the holy in ordinary moments — became the foundation of everything she’d go on to do. Kay carries those early years with her every time she steps onto a stage.
“Joy is not reserved for ideal circumstances. It’s available in every season — and that’s the message Kay has carried for more than forty years.”
— Kay DeKalb Smith
A Ministry Built on Faithfulness
Four Decades, One Message
Over more than forty years, Kay has spoken and sung at hundreds of events — women’s retreats, senior adult luncheons, church services, banquets, and conferences. Her message has never really changed: God is good, life is full of grace if you’re paying attention, and laughter is one of His finest gifts.
Kay has also ministered alongside her husband, speaking at marriage events and family conferences. Her stories draw from a life richly shared — with her husband, her children, and the grandchildren who now give her an entirely new source of material.
In 2024, she published Ever-Laughing Life, her debut book that captures the humor, warmth, and faith that have defined her ministry for decades.
Ready to Book?
Invite Kay to Your Event
Kay would be honored to bring encouragement and laughter to your next gathering. Reach out to check availability and discuss your event.