MSG (Ret) Raymond Smith

It is with utmost sorrow yet hope in Christ that we announce the passing of our Dear Daddy, Grandfather “Poppy”, Brother, Uncle and Friend, Raymond “Smitty” Smith, who departed this life on December 21st, 2024, at the age of 101. Born on October 9th, 1923, in Littleton, North Carolina, Raymond lived a life full of service, love, and faith that stands as a testament to God’s goodness.

Funeral Services will be held at 12:00 PM (EST) on Monday, December 30, 2024, in the Chapel of Vance Brooks Funeral Home with Dr. David Kees and Reverend Ed Brown officiating. Interment will follow at Ft. Mitchell National Cemetery with U. S. Army Honors and Masonic Rites. The family will receive friends from 11:00 AM until the funeral hour on Monday at the funeral home. 

Raymond was preceded in death by his parents Thomas and Lizzie Smith, his beloved wife of 64 years Mary Anna “Marianne” Patterson Smith, his siblings Mary Smith Stansbury, Myrtle Smith Radford, Thomas Woodrow Smith, and child of the heart Linda Davidson.

He leaves behind a legacy of love and faith in his survivors, son Marvin Smith (Mary), daughter Cheryl Smith Culpepper (Eddie), child of the heart Norma Mixon (Henry) and “like a son” Tommy Zuber (Kathy). Grandchildren Steve Hardin (Marie), Jimmy Smith (Nikki), Maria Smith, Carly Culpepper Hampton (Thomas), Kathy Davidson, Jerry Davidson (Peggy), Kelly Drye, Vicki Atherton (Dave), Cindy Mixon, Mary Leverett (Mike), Melissa Hughes (Billy), Doug Mixon (Heidi), 21 great-grandchildren, 7 great-great grandchildren, special sister-in-law Sandra Patterson as well as many beloved nieces and nephews, Masonic Brothers and many friends whom he loved dearly.

Born to a family of sharecroppers on tobacco and cotton farms, Raymond learned the value of hard work early in life as he tragically lost his mother at the age of 4. Being the baby of 4 children, his father and siblings raised him in the hardest of times. At 19 years old, he answered the call to serve his nation by joining the US Army in 1943. As part of the 546th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion, he traversed the European Theater during World War II, providing vital protection for General Patton’s headquarters and enduring the harrowing Battle of the Bulge.

His service extended to the Korean War, where he was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds sustained from shrapnel during an artillery attack while leading a platoon to secure the highly strategic hill known as Old Baldy. Afterward, he returned to the United States and was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he trained young military officers and met the love of his life, Mary Anna Patterson. Together, they built a beautiful life, raising their children—Linda, Norma, Marvin, and Cheryl—with faith, love, and strength.

After serving 20 years and retiring from the Army, Raymond served 20 years with the U.S. Postal Service while also dedicating his time to his family, church (Smiths Station Baptist) and his community. A faithful servant, he was Scout Master of Troop 276 of Columbus, GA and Troop 128 of Smiths Station, AL. mentoring young men for many years. For nearly 50 years, he worked tirelessly with the Freemasons, the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, and the Alcazar Shriners of Shriners International to support their missions of compassion and care. For many years, he drove children and families to various Shriners Hospitals in the South, providing essential transportation for burn and orthopedic care. He is Past Master of both Wilson Williams Masonic Lodge #351 and Crawford Masonic Lodge #863. He was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and served as Worthy Patron alongside Marianne in this organization. He raised up untold numbers of men in Masonry to improve themselves morally, intellectually and spiritually. He was an avid gardener, known for growing the most delicious tomatoes as well as a variety of other fruits and vegetables. He continued to cut the grass and maintain his property well past his 98th birthday. He was truly a strong and incredible man filled with love, dignity and integrity.

Raymond’s life was a reflection of Christ’s love—serving his family, country, church, friends and neighbors. Above all, he loved and cherished his family. His kindness, wisdom, and unwavering faith touched all who knew him. While we deeply grieve his passing, we rejoice in knowing he is now reunited in Heaven with Marianne and resting in the arms of our Savior. He will be forever loved, missed and thought of by his family until we meet again in Glory.

The family would like to thank the loving staff of Bill Nichols State Veterans Home, SouthernCare New Beacon and Answered Prayer Home Care for every act of service provided for our family. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Shriners International/Tampa, Florida or SouthernCare New Beacon/Alexander City, Alabama.