Ralph Austin Smith, 82, of Albertville, died July 25, 2018. The son of Russell and Gladys Horton Smith, he was born October 2, 1935. Ralph attended Albertville High School where he played football and was a graduate of the class of 1954. He attended Auburn University, where he obtained his dgree in Electrical Engineering and served as President of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity.
Ralph joined NASA in 1961m during the early days of the space program. His 30 year career included support to the Mercury, Apollo, Skylab, and Space Shuttle programs, culminating with the successful development and launch of the Hubble Space Telescope. He retired in 1990, and spent his retirement years enjoying farming, travel, and spending time with his grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Ralph is survived by his wife, Reba Ayers Smith; sister, Mary Nell Hughes; children, Celeste Kennamer, Leslie & Tim Davis, Leigh & Darrell Cooper, and Kelly and Scott Bourne; grandchildren Paul Smith, Riley and Leigh Ellen Davis, Austin and Aleah Davis, Ross & Meagan Davis, Jordan & Kevin Rockett, Kyle Cooper, and Sidney Cooper; and 4 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be Friday, July 27, from 6:00pm until 8:00pm at Adams Brown Service Funeral Home. The funeral service will take place on Saturday, July 28, at 11:00am at First Presbyterian Church of Albertville, with burial to follow at Memory Hill Cemetery after a final visit to the family farm. The grandchildren will serve as pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donation to Shepherd’s Cove Hospice or the Presbyterian Children’s Home in Talladega: PO Drawer 577 Talladega, AL 35161
