Welcome to the memorial page for
James Ray Smith
December 29, 1929 ~ January 18, 2018 (age 88) 88 Years OldShare Tribute:
James “Ray” Smith
Dec 29, 1929 - Jan 18, 2018
Ray passed away peacefully at his home after a long battle with cancer. He was born in Black, Alabama to Lloyd Franklin Smith and Mattie Lou Farmer. He grew up in Esto, Florida and graduated from Holmes County High School in 1948. After graduation, he enlisted in the Air Force on June 17th, 1948 and rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was selected for Officers Training School and then pilot training. During the rest of his career, he flew F-86s and F-106s before retiring as a Major on July 1st, 1968, after 20 years of service. After retirement, he continued to work for the government as a contractor, training Army pilots at Ft. Rucker, Alabama, and then flying target drones at Tyndall AFB for the Air Force. He retired in 1998.
He married Sarah Nell White in 1954 and they had three children. They divorced in 1979, and he then married Beverly Mashburn Anderson.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Roy Kellon Smith and Rex Milburn Smith.
He is survived by his wife, Beverly, of Panama City, his sister, Waunette Chitty of Mobile, AL, sisters-in-law, Virginia Smith of Pensacola, FL and Martha Jean (Dolly) Smith of Bonifay, FL, daughters, Donna Rae Strong (Pete) and Terry Candis Grandy of Shalimar, FL, son, James Lloyd Smith (Jayne) of Indian Trail, NC, and stepson, Edward Anderson (Marsha) of Hixson, TN. His grandchildren include Talene Jade McGovern (Mike) of Lake Mary, FL, Charles Emery Grandy (Damaris) of Homestead, FL, Michael Aaron Smith of Duluth, MN, Ryan Nicholas Smith of Indian Trail, NC ,and step grandson, Brian Anderson (Anna) of Panama City, Fl. He is also survived by four great-grandchildren, Seamus and Georgia McGovern of Lake Mary and Charles and Gabriel Grandy of Homestead, and five step great-grandchildren (Ryan, Gabriel, Savannah, Cheyenne, and Benjamin).
The family wants to express their deepest gratitude to the tireless and dedicated caretakers who took care of Ray in the last months of his life-Pam Sarvis, Suzzanne Norviel, and especially Jackie Hudgins. They were wonderful. The family also would like to thank Covenant Care for their care and support during this time.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home with Pastor David Buchanan officiating.
Interment with military honors will follow at Evergreen Memorial Gardens.
Honorary pallbearers will be Don Berkley, Jimmy Wood, Fay Hough, Sal Bonacasa, Glenn McLain, John Luleff, Ed Murray and Wade Mitchell.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. Monday, January 22, 2018 and one hour prior to services on Tuesday at the funeral home.
Arrangements by Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home and Cemeteries
www.kentforestlawn.com
Dec 29, 1929 - Jan 18, 2018
Ray passed away peacefully at his home after a long battle with cancer. He was born in Black, Alabama to Lloyd Franklin Smith and Mattie Lou Farmer. He grew up in Esto, Florida and graduated from Holmes County High School in 1948. After graduation, he enlisted in the Air Force on June 17th, 1948 and rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was selected for Officers Training School and then pilot training. During the rest of his career, he flew F-86s and F-106s before retiring as a Major on July 1st, 1968, after 20 years of service. After retirement, he continued to work for the government as a contractor, training Army pilots at Ft. Rucker, Alabama, and then flying target drones at Tyndall AFB for the Air Force. He retired in 1998.
He married Sarah Nell White in 1954 and they had three children. They divorced in 1979, and he then married Beverly Mashburn Anderson.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Roy Kellon Smith and Rex Milburn Smith.
He is survived by his wife, Beverly, of Panama City, his sister, Waunette Chitty of Mobile, AL, sisters-in-law, Virginia Smith of Pensacola, FL and Martha Jean (Dolly) Smith of Bonifay, FL, daughters, Donna Rae Strong (Pete) and Terry Candis Grandy of Shalimar, FL, son, James Lloyd Smith (Jayne) of Indian Trail, NC, and stepson, Edward Anderson (Marsha) of Hixson, TN. His grandchildren include Talene Jade McGovern (Mike) of Lake Mary, FL, Charles Emery Grandy (Damaris) of Homestead, FL, Michael Aaron Smith of Duluth, MN, Ryan Nicholas Smith of Indian Trail, NC ,and step grandson, Brian Anderson (Anna) of Panama City, Fl. He is also survived by four great-grandchildren, Seamus and Georgia McGovern of Lake Mary and Charles and Gabriel Grandy of Homestead, and five step great-grandchildren (Ryan, Gabriel, Savannah, Cheyenne, and Benjamin).
The family wants to express their deepest gratitude to the tireless and dedicated caretakers who took care of Ray in the last months of his life-Pam Sarvis, Suzzanne Norviel, and especially Jackie Hudgins. They were wonderful. The family also would like to thank Covenant Care for their care and support during this time.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home with Pastor David Buchanan officiating.
Interment with military honors will follow at Evergreen Memorial Gardens.
Honorary pallbearers will be Don Berkley, Jimmy Wood, Fay Hough, Sal Bonacasa, Glenn McLain, John Luleff, Ed Murray and Wade Mitchell.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. Monday, January 22, 2018 and one hour prior to services on Tuesday at the funeral home.
Arrangements by Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home and Cemeteries
www.kentforestlawn.com
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