Richard Smith

Obituary for Richard Leon Smith

1960 - 2021

Richard Leon Smith died peacefully on March 25, 2021 at Autumn Care of Marion, NC following a brave battle with colon cancer.  Richard was born in Atlanta in 1960 to Marjorie Eunice Smith Elliott and Henry Leon Smith, Jr.  He grew up in Second Ponce de Leon Baptist Church and completed high school at Woodward Academy in 1978.  Following his graduation from The Citadel in 1982, he served as a navigator in the U.S. Air Force.  He returned to Atlanta in 1986 and served in various administrative positions in the education and retail sectors.  He moved to Black Mountain, NC in 2016, working for Wal-Mart in Asheville, NC.  

Like his father, Richard was a talented musician and pursued a love of music throughout his life.  He played the piano, organ and tuba and was a member of the orchestra at First Redeemer Church in Cumming, GA.  He enjoyed volunteering as a square dance caller and had a keen interest in all things related to trains, theme parks and roller coasters.

Richard maintained close ties to his friends in First Redeemer Church following his move to NC, and their love and support sustained and encouraged him once he was diagnosed with cancer.  

He is survived by his mother, Marjorie Eunice Smith Elliott; his stepmother, Clarise Jean Smith; his stepsiblings Timothy Dean, Jonathan Dean and Jennifer Dean Predmore; his sister, Alison Smith Kosnett and her husband Philip Kosnett; as well as many loving cousins from Bradenton, FL and Chattanooga, TN. 

A Memorial Service will be held at a later date at First Redeemer Church of Cumming, GA.  His ashes will be interred at Fogartyville Cemetery in Bradenton, FL.

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