Richard Davis Reverend Smith, Sr.

Richard was the son of the late W.J. and Banna Ostwalt Smith of Charlotte NC. He was predeceased by his parents and brothers W.J. Smith ,Jr., his wife Terry and their son Scott and John Edwin Smith and his wife Liz. Richard graduated from Central High School in Charlotte, Wake Forest College and Southeastern Baptist Seminary at Wake Forest. He joined the Navy at 17 and served for 18 months on LSM 491 in the Pacific. He was honorably discharged in July of 1946. He was pastor of Spring Branch Baptist Church in Sampson County, Round Hill Baptist Church in Rutherford County and in 1961 he begin serving at the Baptist State Convention of NC-in the Sunday School Department, then the Church Building & Planning Department and retired in 1991 as the Business Manager after 30 years of service. After retiring he served as interim pastor of a number of churches and as pastor of Carolina Pines Baptist Church, Raleigh. In his retirement years he enjoyed organic gardening, growing German Johnson tomatoes , Butternut Squash, and green beans.Richard loved God, the church, his family, his country and he loved people. He saw the best in everyone , he was a true “people person”. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Jean Paylor Smith, his two children Richard Davis Smith, Jr and his wife Marie Jones Brevard NC; his daughter Beckie Smith Leone of Greensboro and her two children Heather Holden Crawshaw of Raleigh and Andrew Davis Leone of Greensboro. He also had four step-grandchildren: James Leone and Jodi Leone Sheldon of Raleigh and John and Jason Leone of Greensboro - children of John Leone (deceased). He had five nephews: Ken, Jack , Todd and Jed Smith and Mike Paylor and two nieces: Shelley Hobson and Dale Henslee-Smith. A memorial service will be held Monday at 2pm at Forest Hills Baptist Church at 201 Dixie Trail. Visitation will be at 1pm in the Gathering Place. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Forest Hills Baptist Church or Raleigh Rescue Mission. The family wishes to express gratitude to Dr Mark Yoffe, Dr Mary Jones, Transitions (Hospice) and Home Instead Senior Care.