Braxton Ray Smith

Braxton Ray Smith of Bangor, Michigan, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, January 26, 2014 at the Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo MI.  He was born January 2, 1928 to Charlie and Emma (Stokes) Smith in Goshen Alabama.  Braxton worked for the U.S. Postal Service for over 38 years.  During his time with the Post Office, he would on occasions work part-time for the City of Chicago driving the snow plow.  He also served in the Army and fought in the Korean War. 

He also belonged to the SMITH CONNECTORS. (This is the Smith family's official organization. It began in Goshen, Alabama and it now connects Smith cousins and family branches via Facebook, email and bi-annual reunions on the third Sunday in July).  He enjoyed studying the Bible and was a member of the Israelite Bible Class of Chicago for 45 years.  Braxton also enjoyed sports such as basketball, football and baseball.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Emma Smith; daughter Marion Smith; as well as his siblings; Lomax Smith, Evangeline Lockett, Joseph Smith, James Herbert Smith, Ernestine Adams and Charlie Smith Jr.  He is survived by his wife Faye Smith, his sons, Keith Smith of Bangor MI, James A. Smith of Bangor MI, David (Lakisha) Smith of Cincinnati, OH; his daughters Valerie and Vanessa (aka Sue) of Chicago IL, his siblings Nellie (Jimmie) Merritt of Birmingham, AL, Mack Ray Smith of Fontina , CA ,and  Lela Pearl Wilkerson of Detroit MI.  He is also survived by 17 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

A wake will be held at Filbrandt Family Funeral Home on February 8, 2014 at 12pm.  The funeral will follow at 1pm officiated by Shawna Smith.  Braxton will be laid to rest in the Breedsville Cemetery in Breedsville, Michigan.