Richard Leroy Smith

Richard was born in Detroit, Michigan to Hulon Ray Smith and Velma Glee (Tuttle) Smith on April 17, 1936. He went to school in Benton, Kentucky. He married Marcia Dian (Hiett) Smith on August 7, 1958 in Benton. He attended Murray State University in Kentucky and earned a bachelor's degree from University of Kentucky in Mechanical Engineering and a Masters from University of Alabama, Huntsville. He worked in the space and defense industry, primarily for Teledyne Brown Engineering and U.S. Army Missile Command, Huntsville.

Dick was an active member of Chase Park Church of Christ (Memorial Parkway) for 57 years. He served as a deacon, Bible class teacher, in the budget area, and search/renovation committees. Dick and Dian were were directors of the "We Care" program, and served in the visitation ministry. More recently, he was an member of Berry's Chapel Church of Christ, Franklin, TN.

Dick is preceded in death by his parents and a great-grandchild.

Dick is survived by wife, Dian (Hiett) Smith, children, Julie Davidson (Greg) of Franklin, Mark Smith (Amy) of Texas, Lori Sullivan (Mark) of Franklin, sisters, Donna Farrell (Tom) of Syracuse, NY and Marlene Schroader (Larry) of Benton, KY, grandchildren, Emily Burgess (Allen), Blake Davidson, Kara Davidson, Haley Gray (Brian), Katie Norona (Matt), Jenni Ozella (Matt), Rich Smith (Natalie), great-grandchildren, Jude Burgess, Clara and Timmy Ozella, Cora Smith.

Visitation will be 11:00 AM Monday, October 12 at Valhalla Funeral Home, Huntsville, AL.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 PM, October 12 at Valhalla Chapel of Love with Rusty Hill, Minister, Chase Park Church of Christ, officiating. Interment will follow at Valhalla Funeral Home where arrangements are in place.

Honorary pallbearers are Dick's son, sons-in-law, and grandsons, as listed above.

Memorials may be given to Chase Park Church of Christ Missions Fund, Berry's Chapel Church of Christ Family Care Fund, or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's research.

The family of Richard (Dick) Leroy Smith wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Paula Dunn, Dr James Muldowney, Steven Afrow, APRN, and Home Instead Senior Care, Franklin.