Raymond Renaud Smith was born February 12, 1961, as the 3rd son to the late Deacon James D. Smith and late Deaconess Carmel E. Smith.  He was their 4th and last child; the baby of the bunch.  Both parents, both maternal and paternal grandparents, and a grandnephew preceded him in death.

Raymond attended elementary and secondary schools in the Kansas City Public School District.  As a young boy, Raymond was a member of the Zella Mae Moten Drill Team where he was an avid drummer.  He traveled all over with the drill team, including places like New York and Niagara Falls.  He also enjoyed sports and took a liking to baseball, but he favored basketball.

He graduated in the class of 1979 from Van Horn High School in Independence, Missouri.  He was awarded an athletic scholarship for his talents in basketball.  He took his talents to play in Little Rock, Arkansas for a couple of years.  He stayed in Arkansas long enough to give his life to Christ, getting baptized at Bethlehem Baptist Church in his mother's hometown of Batesville, Arkansas, in May 1981.  Later that year, he transferred his basketball talents and career to an NCAA Division II school – St. Augustine's College in Raleigh, North Carolina.  He played D-II basketball there until he returned home to help care for his father, who was suffering with a brain aneurysm.

After returning home to Kansas City to care for his family, Raymond eventually became an over-the-road truck driver.  He later relocated to Seattle, Washington, where he created and built a family of his own.  He settled in and had 2 beautiful baby girls – Tameka and Shamequa.  He would remain in Seattle for the next 20 years, and while there, reunited with his college sweetheart, Felicia (Lisa) Ray.  She would become his wife in 2005.  While no children were born to this union and the union eventually dissolved, she and Raymond remained friends until his passing.

Raymond returned home to Kansas City again in 2009, once again finding himself caring for his father who was now suffering with cancer.  At that time, he rededicated his life to Christ, and was baptized again in March 2009 at Friendship Baptist Church – the only church he knew, where he was raised as a youth.  He remained in Kansas City, helping to care for his mother in her declining health until her passing in March 2022.  Once his mother passed on, his assignment here on this earth was over.  One year after his mother, he suddenly passed on July 31, 2023.  He is now reunited with his parents, grandparents, and others who have gone before him, like his special friend, Charles (Chucky) Wofford.

He leaves to mourn his passing and celebrate his life:  his children, Tameka and Shamequa Siplin; his brothers, James P. Smith, Sr. (Janette) and Landis R. Smith (Cynthia); his only sister, Afrika E. Jacks; 3 grandchildren; 9 nieces and nephews; 12 grandnieces and grandnephews; his best friend for life, Larry Fristoe; and a host of dear lifelong neighbors and friends.

Thoughtful care and service provided by E. S. Eley & Sons Funeral Chapel, Inc .