Raymond William Smith, 88, of Fayetteville passed away on Wednesday, July 8, 2015 at home. Born on April 14, 1927 at Danville, VA, he was the son of the late Willie and Ethel Smith of Eden (Draper) NC. Raymond graduated from high school in 1944 and immediately joined the Navy, from which he retired in 1964 as Chief Petty Officer. He was baptized as a Jehovah Witness on April 16, 1982 at Crownsville, MD and has served in congregations in Springfield, VA, Hertford, Edenton, and Elizabeth City, NC, and Hico, WV. During his serving in these congregations, he served as an auxiliary pioneer and regular pioneer for a number of years. Raymond attended pioneer school in Great Bridge, VA 16-27 August 1993, and he and his wife, Anna, pioneered for approximately 9 years. While serving in the Navy, Raymond served on land in Maryland, Virginia, Florida, California, and Pennsylvania, and Guam where he was an instructor in Naval Science at Pennsylvania State University. He served on five aircraft carriers, from the smallest USS Mindora CVE120, a converted transported to the largest USS Enterprise CVA(N)65, along with USS Intrepid CVA11, USS Roosevelt CVA42 and USS Forresteel CVA59. After retiring from the Navy, he accepted the truth and devoted the remainder of his life serving Jehovah full time to the best of his ability. He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 plus years, Anna B. Smith, who passed on February 6, 2010. He was the father of five children, two boys and three girls: Raymond W. Smith Jr. (deceased), Ronald E. Smith, Vivian Ann Krauss, Kathie M. Small, and Marsha L. Smith; nine grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren. In keeping with his wishes, there will be services held at a later date. For those wishing to express your condolences to the Smith family, you may do so by visiting our website at www.doddpaynehessfuneralhome.com. The family has entrusted arrangements to Dodd-Payne-Hess Funeral Home, 350 W. Maple Avenue, Fayetteville, WV.
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