Early Smith

Early Ray Smith, of Hoover, passed away on Wednesday, January 31, 2018, at age 86. He was born and raised in the Bay Springs community in Dothan. Ray graduated from Brannon Stand Elementary, Wicksburg High School, and Troy University. He served in the Alabama National Guard (22nd Infantry) and also in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. Ray was in the insurance industry for more than 50 years in Montgomery, Mobile, and Birmingham. He worked with Alabama Inspection and Rating Bureau, Aetna Insurance Company, and Merchants Property Insurance Company of Indiana. He was a partner with Rick Gibb and Linda Lewis in the Beacon Insurance Agency. Ray was also an Insurance Advisor in Risk Management for the City of Hoover. He was a member of Dawson Memorial Baptist Church and New Horizons Sunday School Class. Ray was a past member of Dauphin Way Baptist Church in Mobile. Ray was a trustee of the Alabama Eye Bank and had a lifetime membership in the Insurance Marketing Association of Alabama and also Honorable Order of the Blue Goose. He was a member and played golf at Chace Lake. Ray is preceded in death by his parents, Early L. Smith and Eunice Hollis Smith; 3 brothers, T.J., Grady, and David Smith; 3 sisters, Jewel Dowling, Audrey Mae Turner, and Myra Faye Hall; and 2 nephews, Jimmy Turner and Dr. Jeff Smith.

Ray is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Catherine; his daughter, Rozanne Smith Emory, and her husband, David; son, Steve Smith, and his wife Tracy; grandchildren, Bennett Smith, Caroline Emory, and Catherine Smith; and nephews, nieces, relatives, and friends.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, February 3, 2018, from 2-3 PM at Currie-Jefferson Funeral Home, 2701 John Hawkins Pkwy in Hoover. Funeral services will follow in the Chapel at 3 PM. Interment will be in Jefferson Memorial Gardens, South.

Memorial gifts may be given to Alabama Baptist Children's Homes and Family Ministries, PO Box 361767, Birmingham, AL 35236-1767.

Visitation

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM ,Saturday, February 3, 2018
Currie-Jefferson Funeral Home
2701 John Hawkins Pkwy Hoover, AL 35244

Funeral Service

3:00 PM ,Saturday, February 3, 2018
Currie-Jefferson Funeral Home Chapel
2701 John Hawkins Parkway Hoover, AL 35244