Edra Ray Smith, 77, of Salem, Ark., peacefully departed this life on June 24, 2022, in Salem, Ark. in the comfort of his home. Ray was born to the late Luther D. Smith and Bethel Elizabeth (Tidwell) Smith on May 25, 1945, in Turlock, Calif.

Ray was united into marriage to Deborah Dene (Goodson) Smith on Nov. 17, 1980, in Mount Vernon, Mo. Ray spent his working years as a carpenter and was a member of the Elizabeth Baptist Church. He was a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, and friend. Ray was the rock of the family.

Ray leaves to mourn his passing, wife, Deborah Smith of the family home in Salem, Ark.; daughter, Louwanna Faye Smith (Bruce) of Willow Springs, Mo.; son, Raymond Dempsey Smith (Kymmi) of West Plains, Mo.; son, Richard Ray Smith of Salem, Ark.; daughter, Caroline Marie Smith (Jason) of Salem, Ark.; daughter, Elizabeth René Freeman (Stacy) of Salem, Ark.; son, Stephen Paul Norris of Salem, Ark.; nine grandchildren, Kevin Jackson (Nikki), Felicia Mock (Tracey), Delaney Smith, Luther Smith, Lillian McCullough, Cord McCullough, Richard Smith, Reagan Norris, and Waylon Norris; three great grandchildren, Jacob Jackson, Grace Jackson, and Emily Jackson; two brothers, Boyd Smith (Carmin) of Salem, Ark. and Bruce Smith (Cecilia) of Lake Placid, Fla.; two sisters, Sharon Faye Allen (Bob) of Sonora, Calif. and Darlene Hudson of Sonora, Calif.; many nieces, nephews, family, and friends near and dear to his heart. He is preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, son (Jesse James Smith), two brothers (Vernon Smith and Jim Smith), four sisters (Merda Kinder, Carol Perkins, Dorothy Smith, and Mildred Davison), and infant sibling Smith.

Funeral services were 10 a.m. Saturday, June 25, 2022, with Bro. Warren Newman officiating. Visitation was 9 a.m. until time of service on Saturday, June 25, 2022, at Elizabeth Baptist Church. Interment was Saturday, June 25, 2022, at the Union Cemetery in Union, Ark. Pallbearers were Rocky Smith, Robert Smith, Raymond Smith, Luther Smith, Bruce Drussel, Luke Smith, Richard Smith, Louwanna Smith, Tracey Mock, Cord McCullough, Stephen Norris, Caroline Smith and Elizabeth Freeman. Memorials may be made to Elizabeth Baptist Church in Elizabeth, Ark. Arrangements are under the direction of Barker Funeral Home in Salem, Ark. Guests may sign an online registry @www.barkerfuneral.com.