Charles Smith

Charles Ray Smith, born October 18, 1939 in Owensboro, Kentucky passed away peacefully on August 18, 2019 after a long illness. Charles Ray grew up on a farm near Newman, Kentucky, the oldest of five children.  He is remembered as a great brother, caring for his brothers and sisters.  After the death of their father at an early age, Charles Ray helped his mother with the raising of the younger children and was always helpful throughout their lives.  During high school, he participated in choir where he was a wonderful soloist.  He and a friend even recorded a record during their teenage years.  Charles Ray was a member of the Newman Baptist Church until he joined the Army in 1963.  While in the Army, he worked as a Personnel Clerk and was stationed at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.  After his discharge in 1965 he remained in San Antonio, Texas where he had a prosperous career as an insurance agent.   Charles Ray never gave up his dream of coming home to Kentucky.

Charles Ray is preceded in death by his parents, Charles Juniss “June” and Evelyn (Sandefur) Smith (Ontiveros); his sister Lynda Sue Stitt; his brothers, Johnny Marshal Smith, Allen Lee Smith and sister-in-law Carolyn Smith; brothers-in-law Eddie Stitt, Babe Were; grandparents Marshal and Sarah (Sally) Smith, and Alonzo and Cora Sandefur.

His wife Virginia of Jourdanton, Texas; stepchildren Ann and Mark Matthews of Texas; sister Sally Were of North Dakota, close cousins Jerry and Alice Smith, other cousins, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends all lovingly survive Charles Ray.

His family and friends at Christ Episcopal Church in San Antonio, Texas will remember Charles Ray on September 5, 2019 at 11 am and at Newman Baptist Church in Owensboro, Kentucky on September 20, 2019 at 11 am with internment to follow, next to his father at Rosehill Cemetery in Owensboro, Kentucky.