Obituary

Raymond L. Smith

Raymond L. Smith was born in Cartersville Virginia on November 12, 1934 to Willie Turner Smith and Vernon Johnson Smith. At an early age, he accepted Jesus Christ, was baptized and joined Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Cartersville, Virginia. He and Mary Nash were married on March 16, 1955. Four children were born of this union: two daughters; Linda McCaskill of Queens, New York, and Karen Smith of Cartersville, Virginia; two sons Raymond Jr. and Terry Smith of Riverhead, New York. Raymond had one brother, Herbert Smith, with whom he shared everything. Indeed, they were (brothers) in every sense of the word.

Ray (lovingly known as Bubby), loved animals and for the greater part of his life, he worked in the care and humane treatment of animals. For many years he worked with the Riverhead Animal Hospital. A gifted trapper, he worked with the Nuisance Wildlife company, which inspired him to form a small business that did nuisance wildlife removal -- a job from which he retired. For many years he also worked for the Alexander Cleaning Company.

He loved the great outdoors and the beauty of God's creation. Ray was an avid hunter who traveled to different parts of the East Coast in pursuit of the best hunting grounds. Ray was a lifetime member of the NRA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, four siblings; Alice Booker, Mary Horne, Evelyn Hargrove, and John Smith.

He leaves to cherish fond memories; Mary, his wife of 68 years; two daughters, Linda and Karen; two sons, Raymond, and Terry; five grandchildren, Lee, Frederick, Terry Jr., Britney, Kiana; six great grandchildren, Arissa, Amia, Alvin II, Bryce, Arya, Alia, and a host of adoring nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Keepsake In Our Heart

We thought of you with love today

But that is nothing new

We thought about you yesterday

And days before that too,

We think of you in silence

We often speak your name

All we have are memories

And your picture in a frame

Your memory is our keepsake

With which we'll never part

God has you in His keeping

We have you in our heart.

God saw you Getting Tired

God knew that you were so tired,

And a cure was not to be,

So, he put his arms around you.

And whispered come with me.

With tearful eyes we watched

And saw him pass away.

Although, we loved him dearly,

We could not make him stay.

A golden heart stopped beating.

Hard working hands at rest.

God broke our hearts to prove to us

He only takes the best.

For in the hearts of those who love you

Your memory lives on.

Love, The Children