Ray Smith

By the mercy and grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, our hero, Ray Smith, had a peaceful homecoming Wednesday, February 19, 2025 at Piedmont Hospital. He was surrounded in love by his wife, his two girls, and all of his grandchildren.

 Ray was born July 27, 1941, and was a lifelong resident of Jefferson County. He was a 1960 graduate of Wrens High School. At the tender age of 16, the track and football star and Elvis Presley look alike, met the love of his life, a beautiful cheerleader named Jane. The two lovebirds were inseparable and were married in 1961. Through 63 years of marriage, their love never wavered, and God blessed them with two daughters, five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. He was blessed with 83 years filled with faith in his Lord and a great love for his family and friends.

 Ray dedicated 40 years of his life to his career as a millwright with International Paper, where his work ethic and integrity were admired by all who knew him. His family recognized him as the hardest working man that they had ever known, even after his retirement. Ray made sure to instill this trait into the character of all of his children. He approached life with a people-oriented spirit, delighting in conversations, laughter, and the joy of forming connections. He was known for his great sense of humor and his love for singing. His family is filled with so many memories of his fun-loving ability to play, laugh, and be silly with his children. He loved nothing more than to hear their laughter and joy.

 With an adventurous soul, Ray loved to travel and camp. Summers were spent water skiing and swimming at the Wrens Campers Club at Clarks Hill Lake. This is also where he enthusiastically taught many other young people to waterski. As a pioneer in the sport, he was one of the original barefoot skiers at the lake, with his wife as the boat’s captain. In addition to skiing, he had a passion for riding motorcycles with Indian motorcycles being his favorite. Ray embraced challenges wherever he found them and was somewhat of a daredevil. He was also known for his ability to rebuild car engines, weld like a champion, and for his constant “piddling” and “tinkering” in his beloved shop. If something was broken or not working, he could fix it. As long as Ray was there, a repairman was never needed. 

Anyone who knew our Ray knew that Jesus was the Cornerstone of his life. His love for family was unwavering and his Godly obedience to Christ embodied his faithful and obedient Christ-like example for his children. He accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior as a young boy and became a long-serving member of Wrens Baptist Church. Over the years, he served diligently as a Deacon and held various committee positions, mentoring countless young men in the church and community. He cherished his opportunities to share Christ with others and deeply valued relationships, always prioritizing his faith, family and friends.

 Ray is survived by his loving wife, Jane Wren Smith; two daughters, Anita Smith Harrelson and Karla Smith Lopez; five grandchildren, Kaila Dixon, Seth Harrelson (Caitlyn), Caleb Harrelson, Sofie Lopez (Austin Birchett), and Colton Lopez; and three great-grandchildren, Christian Ray Moore, Micah Lopez-Birchett, and Isla Lopez-Birchett, He left behind treasured extended family, cherished church family; and a multitude of dear friends.

 He was preceded in death by his parents, Mildred Whitaker Smith and Austin Smith, as well as his great-grandson, Dalton Thomas. 

To celebrate and honor Ray’s life, a visitation will be held from 12:30 – 2:30 PM Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at Wrens Baptist Church. The funeral service will immediately follow and will be led by his loving pastor Rev. James Barnes and his special friend Dr. Mason Davis. His precious grandsons and dear friend, Wayne Yost, will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be the cherished members of the Mathetes Sunday School Class. An interment will follow in the Wrens Memorial Cemetery.

 The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to his beloved church, Wrens Baptist Church, PO Box 217, Wrens GA 30833 earmarked “R Smith - Greater Things” or online at https://www.wrensbaptist.org, and clicking on the “GIVE” tab. (Be sure to “add a message” to denote the contribution as a memorial for Ray Smith.) Your memorial contribution in his honor is greatly appreciated. 

 Ray Smith’s legacy of love, laughter, and integrity will live on in the hearts of those he touched throughout his remarkable life. He will be greatly missed but dearly remembered by all whose lives he enriched.