RICHARD ALLEN SMITH

1:00 P.M. Friday, May 22, 2015
First Calvary Missionary Baptist Church
Reverend Dr. Lorenzo Smalls, Sr., Pastor
Presiding: Reverend Carl L. Anderson, Pastor,
Greater St. Stephen A.M.E. Church


Brother Richard A. Smith, affectionately known to his family as "Poppa Rich", died on May 14, 2015 at Waccamaw Hospital.

He was born on February 21, 1935 in Georgetown, South Carolina, a son of Allen Smith and Mattie Mae Izzard Smith. His parents, sisters, Mattie Mae Izzard Smith, Dorothy Perlow and two brothers Arthur Izzard and Nathaniel Grant, all preceded him in death.

He attended Georgetown County Schools but later left to help support his mother. At age 21 he moved to Cleveland, Ohio. While there, through various jobs, he worked as a machinist, taxi driver and as a custodian at the Jewish Community Center of Cleveland.

He abided in holy matrimony with Mrs. Lela Harton Smith. Together they shared life, love and rearing of her ten children until her passing in 2002. Two step-children, Arlie and Alyce Brown also predeceased him.

The motto by which he lived was, "It does not require great learning to be a Christian and a worker for the Lord. It only requires an honest heart." Richard returned home to Georgetown in 2008 and became a faithful member of First Calvary Missionary Baptist Church serving in the Transportation Ministry, Usher Board Ministry and Deacon Board. He was the deacon who was ever ready to go forward and help in every way he could to bring things to pass. He never tired of doing whatever his hands found to do. An untiring worker, he loved his church, enjoyed good preaching, and would encourage the speaker with his "Amens". For some years, Richard also worked for Small Engine Repair in Georgetown.

Left to cherish lasting memories are: his son Terry Fulton (Valorie), Georgetown, SC; one brother, Herbert Smith, Newport News, VA; seven step-daughters, Geraldine Winston (Harry) Baltimore, MD, Lucille Harton, Joyce Harton, Roschelle Brown, Janice Brown, Angela Jinks (Lorenzo), Maria Brown (James) and one step-son, Steven Harton, all of Cleveland, OH; twenty-seven grandchildren; thirty-three great-grandchildren; hosts of nieces, nephews and other loving relatives and friends.