Ray Garland Smith

Ray Garland Smith, 81, Nevada, Mo., passed away Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2003, at Moore-Few Care Center, Nevada, Mo. He was born Sept. 14, 1922, in Harwood, Mo., to Claude C. Smith and Virginia Lee Francis Smith. He married Myrtle Ina Stueart on Sept. 14, 1947, and she preceded him in death on July 14, 1972. He later married Virginia Sue Rogers on June 24, 1973, and she preceded him in death on Jan. 4, 2003.

Ray attended Coal Creek School, Schell City School and graduated from Walker High School in 1942. He attended Business College in Chillicothe, Mo., until he was drafted into the Army. He served in the U.S. Army in World War II from Dec. 17, 1942, to Dec. 22, 1945. He served in New Hebridges, New Zealand, New Guinea and the Philippine Islands. While in New Hebridges, he worked with the Malaria Survey Unit No. 2. After being discharge, he engaged in farming and carpenter work at his farm 3.5 miles northeast of Walker, Mo. He lived there for 41 years before moving to Nevada in 1988. He also was a mail carrier for six years for the Walker Post Office. He was a member of the Walker Masonic Lodge, Eagles, American Legion and the VFW Lodges. He was a member of the Methodist Church.

Survivors include his father, Linda Dungan and her husband, Louis, Nevada, Mo.; one grandson, Brennon Dungan and his wife Caroline, St. Charles, Mo.; one granddaughter, Angie Newton and her husband, Casey, Nevada, Mo., and one great-granddaughter, Macey Newton, Nevada, Mo. He was preceded in death by two infant children in 1950 and 1954.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Jan. 2, at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, Mo., with the Rev. Ralph Clark officiating. Music was presented by Monty and Barbara Gordon, selections were "How Great Thou Art" and "On Eagles Wings." Pallbearers were James Phillips, Grover Phillips, Willis Leonard, Casey Newton, Charles Peterman and Roy Lee Foreman. Interment followed in Green Mound Cemetery, Harwood, Mo. Arrangements by Ferry Funeral Home.