Ray Smith

Benson, NC – Mr. Ray G. Smith, Sr., of 322 West Main Street went home to be with his Lord and Savior in the comforts of his home on Wednesday, October 26, 2011.   A celebration of life service will be held 2:00PM Sunday, October 30, 2011, at the American Legion Building in Benson. Burial will follow in Roselawn Cemetery.  The family will receive friends at the American Legion Building immediately following the burial. Mr. Smith is survived by his wife, Helen Wallace Smith; children and spouses, Anita and Pete Norris of Goldsboro, Gordon and Terri Smith of Cary, and Amy and Clint Creed of Benson.  He was blessed with grandchildren, John and Kasey Norris, Morgan and Wesley Smith, and Savannah and Seth Creed. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alonzo and Hattie Smith; sister, Meta Smith McLamb; and brothers, Aldus, Earl, John, Carroll, Graylon (Jim) and Charlie, who was killed during the Korean War. Ray was a charter member and trustee of Smyrna Original Free Will Baptist Church, trustee of the Cape Fear Conference of the OFWB, charter member of Mount Olive College Board of Trustees and taught Sunday School for 55 years. Mr. Smith was elected national commander of the 2.8 million-member American Legion in 2000.  He became a member of The American Legion in 1955, the day after his discharge from the U. S. Air Force.  He enlisted again for four years in the active reserves and was honorably discharged in 1959.  During his 56 years of American Legion membership, Smith served in numerous leadership positions, including department commander; department, district, and national vice-commander; post commander; and chairman of a number of department commissions and national commissions, including Children and Youth and Americanism for nine years.  He served as post adjutant for 20 years and was on the board of directors for 24 years. A staunch advocate for veterans and their families, Smith also championed countless programs for the betterment of children and youth.  He was named Woodmen of the World Outstanding Citizen of the Year in 1983, U. S. Postal Service Citizen of the Year in 1983, and Benson Citizen of the Year in 1988.  He was elected Town Commissioner in 1995 and served until he was unable.  He owned and operated Benson Electric Company for 26 years, retired from the U. S. Postal Service in 1995 and served as chairman of the North Carolina Veterans Affairs Commission for the past ten years. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Unit 109 American Legion Auxiliary, c/o Betty Jo Young, 2550 NC Hwy 242 South, Benson, NC  27504 or to Smyrna OFWB Church, c/o Doris Godwin, 200 Eldridge Street, Dunn, NC  28334.