Obituaries

Raymond Preston Smith, 79, of Stonewood, WV, passed away on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at the United Hospital Center following a brief illness.

He was born in Lumberport, WV, on June 25, 1944, a son of the late Millie Smith Rainer.

Raymond was married on February 21, 1964, to his loving wife of 60 years, Barbara Thomas Smith, who resides at their home in Stonewood.

Mr. Smith is also survived by two adored daughters, Angela Rae Smith of Morgantown, and Arissa Rochelle Smith of Stonewood; a special niece, April Green, whom he loved as a daughter and her husband Eric of Jacksonville, FL, special nephew Marcus Helm and his wife Marianne of Clarksburg, goddaughter, Elise Miracle Walker of Clarksburg, and best friend, Reggie Parks who was like a brother. He also leaves behind five sisters, Joanne Holyfield of Clarksburg, Sylvia Allison of Canton, OH, Katherine Matthews of Kernersville, NC, Janet Thomas and her husband Danny of Jacksonville, FL, and Violet Herring and her husband Roy of Verona, NJ; and one brother George Phillip Rainer of Clarksburg; as well as several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by two brothers, John Smith, and Paul Rainer.

Raymond was a graduate of Washington Irving High School Class of 1962 where he played softball, baseball, basketball, and football.  He retired from Bell Atlantic in December 1995 with 33 ½ years of service as a splicing technician.  Raymond’s second career started in 1996 with Randy Amos and Paul Carvelli.  In 2009, Amos Carvelli Funeral Home was established with Raymond as a loyal family member since its inception.

In 2014, Mr. Smith was inducted in the 50 Plus Club of Mt. Zion Church for his membership of more than 50 years, where he served as Trustee, Sunday School Superintendent, Church Treasurer, Inspirational Choir Member and Superintendent of Vacation Bible School. He was also selected as Mt. Zion’s Father of the Year in 2020.  He was a founding board member of the WV Black Heritage Festival and was selected as King of the Festival in 2001.  He was a member of the New Vision Telephone Pioneers of America.

He was an avid WVU football and basketball fan attending home and away games, as well as a WV Blackbear Baseball fan, and Pittsburgh Pirates Fan.

He was a member of the Beulah Lodge #15 Prince Hall F & AM and Right Worshipful Grand Trustee Emeritus of the most worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge F & AM of WV.

Family and friends may call at the Amos Carvelli Funeral Home, 201 Edison Street, Nutter Fort, on Friday from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held at the Amos Carvelli Funeral Home on Saturday, June 1, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Arica Cox presiding.  Interment will follow in the Stonewall Park Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may be extended to the family at www.amoscarvelli.com  A service of Amos Carvelli Funeral Home.