Rev. Dr. Raymond Allen Smith, was born on February 22, 1938, in Verrett, LA to the union of the late Pastor Sam and Gladys Norman Smith. He peacefully transitioned from earth to glory and eternal rest on Sunday, October 26, 2025, surrounded by his family. Pastor Smith is the devoted husband of Marion Smith; loving father of Lionel Smith, Sr. (Darleen), Eric Ray Smith, Wanda Farlough (Richard), Tenessia McBride, Harold Smith, Terrea Waiters (James), Clifton McBride, Tequia McBride and the late Tanya Cosie (Lyndell). Beloved brother of Mabel S. Stewart, Elrita S. Hughes, Valerie Stewart (Charles), the late Marion S. Franklin, Betty Ann Milton and Donald Lee Smith. Pastor Smith was ordained in the Gospel Ministry by Pastor Samuel S. Brooks at the Mount Olive Baptist Church in Oakland CA in 1967. He received his Doctor of Divinity degree in 1982 from the Bay City institute in Berkeley CA on June 7th, 2016.
Pastor Smith received his Doctor of Letters Degree (Litt. D) from Christian Bible College of New Orleans, LA. Churches he pastored were New Testament Baptist Church of Oakland, CA, Progressive Baptist Church of Lafayette, LA and Union Baptist Church of St. Martinville, LA. In 1986 Pastor Smith returned to St. Bernard, LA and in 1990 he became the pastor of his home church, First Baptist Church of Verrett, LA, where he served faithfully for 35 years. Pastor Smith is recognized as the 'Patriot of Pastors' in St Bernard Parish. He is the president emeritus of the Southern General Missionary Baptist Association, member of the Plaquemines Parish Christian Ministers Missionary Baptist Association, member of Louisiana State Home and Foreign Missions State Convention, member of the Christian Ministerial Union of New Orleans and Vicinity, member of the National Baptist Convention of America Incorporated. He is the founder and 1st president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored people of Saint Bernard Parish.
He leaves a legacy of love and service to his wife Marion; his children, along with twenty five grandchildren, twenty one great grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren, siblings, his First Baptist Church of Verrett Family and St. Bernard Parish at large. A Celebration service honoring the life and legacy of the late Rev. Dr. Raymond Allen Smith will be held at Garden of Prayer Family Worship Center, 2605 Munster Blvd., Meraux, LA 70075 on Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 11 am with visitation beginning at 9 am in the church. Entombment to follow at First Baptist Church of Verrett Cemetery. A Musical will be held at Garden of Prayer on Friday, November 7, 2025 at 6 pm with visitation beginning at 3 pm. Rev. Dr. Smith will lie in state at First Baptist Church of Verrett, 3737 Bayou Road, Verrett, LA 70085 on Thursday, November 6, 2025 from 3 pm to 6 pm. Please sign online guestbook at www.charbonnetfuneralhome.com. Final arrangements entrusted to Charbonnet Family Services (504)302 1520.