Donald Ralph Smith
There is much rejoicing in heaven as Ralph joins his family. His death closes the door on the immediate family of James Houston and Mary Alice Hammond Smith. Thankfully, he is now also reunited with his wife of 60 years, Maycell Kennemer Smith. Also preceding him in death were eight siblings and in-laws, Ella Mae Ezell (Tom), Jesse Franklin Smith (Linnie), Rosswell Houston Smith (Elizabeth), Mary Katherine Mitchell (Oneal), James Walton Smith (Lena), Paul Smith (Sarah), William Marvin Smith and Harold Loyd Smith (Dimple).
He is survived by two daughters, Candice Beth Fuller (Harry) of Hartselle, Shellee Smith of Gainesville, Georgia, and one son, Donald Ralph Smith, II (Alberto) of Austin, Texas; four grandchildren, Jay Wilson Chittam (Karen) of Hartselle, Casie Chittam Kimbrell (Josh) of Hartselle, Tyler Christopher (Brittany) of Alpharetta, Georgia, and Corey Christopher (April) of Golden, Colorado; six great- grandchildren, Macin,
Max and Trai Kimbrell, Madelyn and Jesi Chittam and Jonny Christopher. In addition to these he was also Daddy Ralph to seven step great- grandchildren, Clay, Olivia, Pearson, Zayden, Eily, Greyson and
Braly and their parents, Kevin and Rachel Fuller, Shannon Sloan and Valerie Bodner.
He is survived by eight in-laws, Annie Ruth Smith, Louise Woodfin, Elton and Naomi Abernathy, Dual and Imogene James,
Gerald and Jan Reeves, and Ed and Elizabeth Wilson. He deeply loved his many nieces and nephews as well.
Ralph was born and raised in Limestone County where he graduated from Clements High School after attending Athens Bible School. Following graduation, he attended Freed-Hardeman College (FHU), Florence State (UNA) and Athens State (University). He followed his calling as a school teacher and was
principal at Blackburn School in Limestone County. When Thiokol began operations in Huntsville, he went to work there, and after several positions in the budding computer industry, he retired from CSC where he traveled to various Air Force bases and trained personnel.
He was a member of the Church of Christ and served as an elder at West Hobbs Street. He most recently attended Hartselle Church of Christ on Sparkman Street with his family. Ralph will forever be
remembered for his big heart and love of children. He had a particularly soft heart for special needs
children. Because of this, he felt honored to serve as a board member for the Birdie Thornton School. He is also well known around Athens for coaching youth sports. In his later years, he worked in the Adult
Education program where he taught English.
Pallbearers will be nephews Jim Mitchell, Paul Smith, Jr., Ross Smith, and grandsons Jay Chittam, Tyler
Christopher and Corey Christopher.
Honorary pallbearers will be nephews Marty James and Scott Reeves.
Visitation with family will be at Spry Funeral Home in Athens from 6 to 8 tonight with the funeral service at Mt. Carmel Church of Christ at 11 a.m. on Wednesday. Interment will be in Dement Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Birdie Thornton School (Athens), Childhaven Children’s
Home (Cullman) or Hospice of the Valley (Decatur).
