Raymond Elmer Smith was born on Sept. 14, 1939 in LaDonia, Texas to Herman LT and Mildred Pauline Norris Smith. Raymond passed from this life on Dec. 27, 2020 at his home at the age of 81. 
Raymond came to Bryan County in 1941 and married Rebecca Jane Mason on April 8, 1961. They were united in marriage for 56 years until Rebecca’s passing on April 26, 2017. Raymond owned a landscaping and roofing business until his retirement. He was of the Baptist faith and he enjoyed fishing, camping, shooting pool and gambling.
Raymond was preceded in death by is parents; wife; son, Ralph Smith and siblings, Rita Sue Smith, Herman Smith, Harvey Smith, Johnny Smith, Dennis Smith, Lydia Smith and Sandy Marsh.
Raymond is survived by his children: Raymond Smith, Rebecca Stafford, Renaye Smith, Rhonda Kranning and husband Timothy and Regina Laburda and husband Richard; grandchildren: Richard Williams, Reva Smith, Tiffany Summerix, Victoria Summerix, Harla Vickery, Angelina Marsh, Natasha West, Susan Hartlin, April Graham, John Mazey, Rusty Kranning, Wriley Kranning, Tiffany Sullivan, Kathleen Roesler, Nikki Swearingen, Amanda Hunnicut and Kimberly Mac Robert and a whole host of great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be held at 2: p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021 at Albany Cemetery. Pastor Mark Wesley will officiate. Pallbearers will be Rusty Kranning, Matthew West, Raymond Smith, Tim Kranning, Richard Labura and Natasha West. Honorary pallbearers Wriley Kranning, Danny Smith, Richard Williams, Jerry Marsh, Bo Smith and Chester Smith.
Arrangements are under the direction of Brown’s Durant Funeral and Cremation Service.