Funeral services for Ralph Austin Smith, Jr., Major, USAFR (Retired), will be held on Saturday, July 30, 2016, at 2:00 pm at the First United Methodist Church, Quitman, Mississippi, with Rev. Hiram Coker officiating. Burial will take place in the Odd Fellows Cemetery. A reception for family and friends will follow service at the Parish House at the church. Wright's Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Mr. Smith, 90, of Quitman, Mississippi, died July 27, 2016 at Southern Living in Waynesboro, Mississippi.
Mr. Smith was a resident of Quitman for 63 years. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Quitman, where he was a choir member and junior high Sunday School teacher for many years. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force, serving on active duty during the Korean conflict. He was a graduate of The McCallie School and The University of Alabama. He was an Eagle Scout and a Boy Scout leader. Most of his career was spent in Quitman as the owner/operator of the Standard Oil (later Chevron) bulk plant; he later was a maintenance director for the Mississippi State Hospital in Whitfield.
He is survived by daughters, Carol Jane "C.J" (Roy) Patton of Brandon and Nan (Dan) Proctor of Knoxville, Tennessee; brother, Walter M. (Charlotte) Smith of Sanford, Florida; brother-and sisters-in-law, Betty Corn of Lauderdale, Jimmy Corn of Meridian, Barbara Dean of Meridian and Rebecca Kramer of Fairhope, Alabama; grandchildren, Laura Patton, Ginny Patton (Cris) Sargeant, Ruth Proctor (Ian) Edwards, and Becca Proctor; caregivers, David and Ruby Knox; special friends, Mac and Brenda McLeod and numerous nieces, nephews & extended family members.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Erion Carolyn Corn Smith, and parents, Ralph Austin Smith, Sr. and Charlotte Marie Meeds Smith.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 137, Quitman, Mississippi 39355 or Clarke County Gideon Association, P. O. Box 124, Quitman, Mississippi 39355.
Online condolences can be given at www.wrightsfuneral.com.
