Orville Ray Smith

Orville "Ray" Smith, 78, of Monterey, TN passed away at his daughter and son-in-laws home on Monday, June 17, 2024.

Ray was born September 17, 1945 to Orville Chester and Maudie Smith in Battle Creek, MI. He graduated from Battle Creek Central where he met the love of his life Sharon Siddall.

Ray worked at Union Pump after graduating until he was drafted in the US Army in 1965. After serving 2 years between Vietnam and Washington D.C. he returned and married Sharon April 8, 1967. They bought a farm and started a family, having one daughter, Michelle Lee. He worked at Clark Equipment Company for 22 years as an experimental machinist. After Clark Equipment closed their doors, he worked as a carpenter until retiring in the early 2000s, when he and Sharon left Battle Creek and moved to Monterey, Tennessee. 

Ray and Sharon were married for 45 wonderful years, doing everything together on the farm. They loved going to car shows,  going on motorcycle rides and just loving life. Ray loved golfing, motorcycle rides, hot rods and restoring old cars, including his 53 Mercury Monterey, 88 Thunderbird, and 62 F-100 pickup truck. In his later years, Ray loved backporch sitting, dickering and dealing, tinkering, and collecting, but most of all he loved spending his time with friends and family. He recently attended the monthly breakfast meet up with his former Clark's alumni, which he really enjoyed. Ray spent much of his last few years with a very special person who he loved and kept him living life, Ms. Marty Donnelly. Marty has been a blessing to Ray and his family being there for him and them in any way she could. 

Ray is survived by his only daughter Michelle (Matthew) McClelland, grandson Casey (Rachel) McClelland, granddaughter Megan (Nick) Curtis, great grandchildren Scout, Brogan and Marley, sister-in-laws, Judy May Smith and Becky (Andy) Kerr, brother-in-laws, Dennis (Jan) Siddall and Butch Hanna, many cousins nieces and nephews and his girlfriend, Marty Donnelly.

Ray was preceded in death by his wife on June 5, 2012, his parents O.C. and Maudie Smith and two brothers, Jack and Ralph.

A celebrating of life Ray's life will be held on Friday, June 21st at North Avenue Church Of God with visitation from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. with a service following with Ray's cousin,Tony Phipps, of Tennessee officiating. A procesesion will follow at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens. 

Family and friends are invited to celebrate and remember Ray's life with a luncheon, following the graveside service back at the church. 

Personal messages for Ray and his family may be placed at farleyestesdowdle.com.