Smee, Ray L. (1920-2008)

Mennonite Weekly Reivew obituary: 2008 Sep 22 p. 9

Birth date: 1920 Aug 23

RAY L. SMEE

Ray L. Smee, 87, died Aug. 21, 2008, at Hospice of the Valley in Arizona. He was born Aug. 23, 1920, to Ira L. and Myrtle (Kingsborough) Smee in Carlisle, Pa.

He was born again in 1930 and became a member of the Brethren in Christ Church in 1931. He married Sylvia Sandoe Wenger on June 20, 1942.

He was licensed to the Christian ministry in 1943 and ordained in 1944. He served as a minister for four years in Pennsylvania, for 20 years in western Oklahoma, two years in Des Moines, Iowa, one year at Palm Glen Mennonite Brethren Church in Phoenix and 13 years at Grace Mennonite Church in Phoenix.

He was a tri-vocational pastor, hanging wallpaper in the community and repairing watches at home. He spoke at many revival meetings and area-wide church assemblies. He and Sylvia enjoyed traveling, and a highlight was a world tour as they counseled and encouraged their missionaries and then reported to the home congregations. While serving in Leedy, Okla., their residence and possessions were completely destroyed by a tornado.

Survivors include four sisters, Ruth Stoner of Mechanicsburg, Pa., Edna Sewell of Union City, Ga., Beulah Fanning of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Betty Wert of Carlisle, Pa.; and a brother, Paul Smee of Tobyhanna, Pa.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Sylvia, in August 1990; and a sister, Martha.

Memorial services were held at Glencroft Chapel.