Ray N. Smith

The world lost and heaven gained a beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather and great-grandfather, Ray Neil Smith, on February 14, 2023. Ray, 81, died in his home in Belton, MO, with his wife, Shirley, his children and their immediate families gathered closely around him in his final days.

Ray was born in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas to Joseph Smith and Lurene Holder Smith on July 17, 1941. Ray attended Walnut Ridge High School in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. Ray married Shirley Wetherill in 1966, celebrating over 56 years together. Ray was an active member of Red Bridge Baptist Church. Following high school, he served in the US Army, and worked in residential construction until 2000, when he joined Leigh & O’Kane Engineering as an inspector. He loved gardening, and many were blessed by his bountiful harvests.

Ray is survived by his wife, Shirley, his daughter Jackie (Jim) Brock of Thornton, CO, sons David (Lori) Smith of Blue Springs, MO, and Brett (Lisa) Smith of Grapevine, TX. His legacy lives on in his grandchildren; Cathryn (Chris) Buehler, Haleigh (Peter) Howell, Cassidy (Greg) Allison, James Brock, Charity Smith, Joshua Smith, and Rhiannon Smith, and six great-grandchildren; Davis, Waverly, and Lincoln Buehler, and Wesley, Greyson and Eli Howell.. He is also survived by his siblings Lewis (Glenda) Smith, Gary (Janet) Smith, and Margaret (the late Johnnie) Olson, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Lurene Smith; brothers, Charles “Gene” Smith, Morgan Smith, and Joseph Smith, Jr.; and sisters, Norma Gentry and Martha Johnson.

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 17, from 6pm - 8pm at Red Bridge Baptist Church, Kansas City, Missouri. There will be a celebration of Ray’s life on Saturday, February 18, at 10:00 am, at Red Bridge Baptist Church, Kansas City, Missouri. Interment will follow at Green Lawn Cemetery in Kansas City, MO. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Ray's honor to Red Bridge Baptist Church Mission Fund.

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 17, from 6pm – 8pm at Red Bridge Baptist Church, Kansas City, Missouri. There will be a celebration of Ray’s life on Saturday, February 18, at 10:00 am, at Red Bridge Baptist Church, Kansas City, Missouri. Interment will follow at Green Lawn Cemetery in Kansas City, MO. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Ray’s honor to Red Bridge Baptist Church Mission Fund.