Richard Ruben Smith died March 7, 2008 after a brief bout with pneumonia
He was born May 9, 1948 in Hamlet, North Carolina to Helen Thelnita and Bertie Purnee Smith. He was a long-time resident of Willimantic, CT , Columbia and Laurel , MD. He attended Windam Technical School in Willimantic, CT. In spite of almost 45 years struggling with the disease of drug and alcohol addiction, Richard enjoyed 30 years of fatherhood, 20 years of marriage and 15 years of sobriety.
In 1978, upon learning that his daughter was in foster care, he was able to earn sole legal custody of her in 1979 and married Lorie Lynn Chait one year later. He worked as a house painter until 1984, when he became a licensed nursing assistant in Maryland and Virginia . He graduated from Second Genesis drug treatment facility in Alexandria , VA in 1988 after a 15 month program. Eventually, he became a licensed home improvement contractor in the State of Maryland and ran a successful home improvement business until 1999.
Richard was humble and tender-hearted, helping to rescue countless injured, abused and abandoned animals, including more than 20 dogs, 11 mice, a duck, a crow, a snapping turtle and countless cats. He uplifted many sister and fellow addicts by sharing his experience, strength and hope as a speaker, sponsor and active member of Narcotics Anonymous. He was also a member of the Sober Tramps Motorcycle Club and an avid runner and bicyclist, averaging 3-5 miles a day for many years. Above all, Richard was a survivor. In spite of a divorce and relapse in 2003, he continued to love and be loved by his daughter, as well as to make new friends. He was able to purchase a home, work as a janitor at Bethel Assembly of God in Jessup, Maryland, beat throat cancer and, of course, be found by stray animals in need.
Richard is survived by his devoted dog, Ann, adoring daughter, Desaray, brother Billy, mother Helen, aunt Reba, nephews Gary and Troy, and nieces, Tina and Terry. He was preceded in death by his father, as well as three brothers and sisters, Lynn, Ronnie and Faye.
Memorial Services will be held at 7:00 PM on Friday March 28, 2008 at Bethel Assembly of God at 9001 Vollmerhausen Rd , Jessup MD, 20794. A service will also be at the Davidson Funeral Home in Lexington , NC at 2:00PM on Monday, March 17, 2008. His ashes will be buried at Lexington Memorial Cemetery.
He was born May 9, 1948 in Hamlet, North Carolina to Helen Thelnita and Bertie Purnee Smith. He was a long-time resident of Willimantic, CT , Columbia and Laurel , MD. He attended Windam Technical School in Willimantic, CT. In spite of almost 45 years struggling with the disease of drug and alcohol addiction, Richard enjoyed 30 years of fatherhood, 20 years of marriage and 15 years of sobriety.
In 1978, upon learning that his daughter was in foster care, he was able to earn sole legal custody of her in 1979 and married Lorie Lynn Chait one year later. He worked as a house painter until 1984, when he became a licensed nursing assistant in Maryland and Virginia . He graduated from Second Genesis drug treatment facility in Alexandria , VA in 1988 after a 15 month program. Eventually, he became a licensed home improvement contractor in the State of Maryland and ran a successful home improvement business until 1999.
Richard was humble and tender-hearted, helping to rescue countless injured, abused and abandoned animals, including more than 20 dogs, 11 mice, a duck, a crow, a snapping turtle and countless cats. He uplifted many sister and fellow addicts by sharing his experience, strength and hope as a speaker, sponsor and active member of Narcotics Anonymous. He was also a member of the Sober Tramps Motorcycle Club and an avid runner and bicyclist, averaging 3-5 miles a day for many years. Above all, Richard was a survivor. In spite of a divorce and relapse in 2003, he continued to love and be loved by his daughter, as well as to make new friends. He was able to purchase a home, work as a janitor at Bethel Assembly of God in Jessup, Maryland, beat throat cancer and, of course, be found by stray animals in need.
Richard is survived by his devoted dog, Ann, adoring daughter, Desaray, brother Billy, mother Helen, aunt Reba, nephews Gary and Troy, and nieces, Tina and Terry. He was preceded in death by his father, as well as three brothers and sisters, Lynn, Ronnie and Faye.
Memorial Services will be held at 7:00 PM on Friday March 28, 2008 at Bethel Assembly of God at 9001 Vollmerhausen Rd , Jessup MD, 20794. A service will also be at the Davidson Funeral Home in Lexington , NC at 2:00PM on Monday, March 17, 2008. His ashes will be buried at Lexington Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be mailed to Second Genesis at 8611 Second Avenue , Silver Spring , MD , 20910. Please send memories to his daughter, Desaray Smith, c/o Donaldson Funeral Home, 313 Talbott Ave. Laurel MD, 20707 or email desarayhsmith@yahoo.com
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