Richard F. Smith

He was born November 7,1933 in Roanoke Rapids, NC, son of the late Charlie and Mary Lee Smith.

He was also preceded in death by his sister, Rachel Smith Tudor of Roanoke Rapids and brother Charles Smith, Jr. of Lexington, NC.

Dickey graduated from Roanoke Rapids High School in 1952, where he played baseball and basketball and was selected Best All-Round Senior Athlete. After graduation, he worked at the Newport News Shipyard and at Rust Engineering Company in Roanoke Rapids before being drafted into the US Army in 1953. He served as a morse code radio operator with the occupation forces of the 330th Field Artillery Battalion, 35th Group, 7th Army, in Germany until 1955, and subsequently served six years in the Army Reserves, receiving an honorable discharge May 31, 1961. He played basketball for the 35th group team during the 1954-55 season. Upon his release from the Army, he played semiprofessional baseball for several summers in Roanoke Rapids. He played second base and was the lead-off batter for the RR Robins Team that won the 1955 State Semi-Pro Championship, and as a result, competed in the Semi-Pro World Series in Wichita, Kansas.

In 1955, Dickey entered East Carolina University and transferred to NC State University the following year. He graduated from State in 1959 with a degree in Civil Engineering. Upon graduation he began work with the NC Department of Transportation where he worked with the Roadway Design Unit and later worked in the Planning and Research Branch as a Project Engineer, Head of the Urban Section and ultimately Assistant Manager of Planning and Research. Notable projects included the Beaucatcher Mountain open-cut in Asheville and the Durham East-West Freeway, which included negotiations

with, and subsequent relocation and rebuilding, of the entire Crest Street Community. The Crest Street project was cited as an excellent example of public-private partnership and received several national awards. He was a registered Professional Engineer and Land Surveyor, a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, and the Institute of Traffic Engineers. He received one of the state’s highest civilian honors, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, for his work with the Crest Street Community Project. He was also a member of Swift Creek Post 530 of the American Legion.

He accepted Christ at age 12 and was baptized at Rosemary Baptist Church in Roanoke Rapids. He is survived by his wife of 64 years (“I sure did pick a winner!”), Catherine Heustess Smith; children whom he adored & who also adored him, son Dr. Karl D. Smith, daughter Yvonne Smith Stone, and husband Thomas D. Stone; and three grandsons who were his crowning glory, Zachary Thomas Stone (Meagan), Owen Smith Stone, and Alexander Demere Stone (Anna), as well as extended family.

The essence of our beloved DD is not in words easily articulated. Even DD himself did not use words as his primary way of expressing feelings for us. What we will remember forever is how he made us all feel: wholly & unconditionally loved.

Our family would like to thank Dickey’s friends who loved and encouraged him: close childhood friends & other friends near and far who faithfully called and sent cards, Team Dickey from the Rex Wellness Center, the Kenyan angels from Phanuel (Face of God) Staffing, LLC, who helped us care for him the last two and a half years of his life, the NCDOT “Urban Group,” his team of doctors, especially Dr. John A. Wilson of Wake Forest Baptist Health, Jennie & Cayla of UNC Home Health Raleigh, AFUMC family,

and all his thoughtful neighbors, particularly Claudia Vepraskas, who brought regular homemade meals for over two years & even hung Christmas wreaths on the doors.

A family graveside service to celebrate Dickey’s life & resurrection was held on Friday, March 26, 2021 at Raleigh Memorial Park and officiated by Dr. Won Namkoong.

The family will receive friends at a casual reception celebrating his life at Avent Ferry United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall (2700 Avent Ferry Rd, Raleigh, NC, 27606) on Sunday, May 2 from 2:00 - 5:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Avent Ferry United Methodist Church Music Fund (AFUMC Music Fund, afumc.com/give/, 2700 Avent Ferry Rd, Raleigh NC 27606), St. David’s School (https://giving.veracross.com/sdsw/give/sdf#gift-amount-step, 3400 White Oak Road, Raleigh, NC 27609), or the charity of one’s choice.

Arrangements by Mitchell Funeral Home at Raleigh Memorial Park.