Franklin - Charles "Ray" Smith, devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, businessman, leader, storyteller, and friend, passed away on June 15, 2026, at the age of 79.

Born on September 12, 1946, and raised in Norfolk, VA, Ray lived life at full speed and very much on his own terms. A family man with a heart of gold, he dedicated himself to teaching life's lessons to his three sons, leading by example through hard work, determination, and an unwavering belief that anything worth doing was worth doing BIG!

Growing up near the water and with grandparents on the Eastern Shore, Ray loved all things fishing and seafood, despite never learning to swim. He never met a piece of sushi, shrimp, crab leg, or oyster he didn't enjoy--and those who knew him best would tell you he could eat his weight in oysters. His passions included auto racing, antique collecting, old cars, do-it-yourself projects, building businesses, and spending time with the people he loved most.

After proudly serving three years in the United States Navy as a Bosun, Ray began his remarkable 54-year career with U-Haul. Starting at the ground level, he worked his way through the ranks to become Area District Vice President for U-Haul International. Yet one career was never enough for Ray. Alongside his beloved wife Linda and their sons, he continuously pursued entrepreneurial ventures bringing opportunity and family together. Over the years, they successfully operated general stores, a large nursery business, a local garden center, several restaurants, a gourmet peanut company, and a hunting and fishing store.

Wherever his travels with U-Haul took him, Ray was always on the lookout for unique treasures. It was not unusual for him to return home with a rare antique--a 19th-century presidential carriage, a vintage gas pump, an old porcelain sign, or even a glamorous 1950s blond bombshell mannequin that he would strategically place at the kitchen table to startle anyone entering the home. He worked hard, but he loved to laugh even harder.

Ray could never sit idly by as a spectator. If his sons played baseball, he didn't just sit in the bleachers--he became president of the league. He loved car racing, but he didn't simply watch from the stands--he owned a race team and made his sons part of the team. Concerned about the future of his community, he served on City Council and founded a weekly cruise-in event that brought hundreds of classic cars, hot rods, and community members together every Wednesday evening for more than a decade to his treasured town of Franklin.

Leadership came naturally to Ray. He was always the man with a plan, guided by a "go big or go home" philosophy. He possessed a unique ability to inspire others to join his latest adventure, often convincing everyone around him that his newest idea was exactly what needed to happen. He loved being in charge, loved bringing people together, and loved creating something larger than himself. Leaving a legacy behind was a mission that he certainly accomplished ten times over!

Above all, Ray loved his wife, Linda. Married for 58 years, they shared a partnership built on devotion, loyalty, and friendship. Whether attending a holiday party, barbecue, or community event, Ray always made sure there was a seat saved right beside him for his beautiful wife. She was the ultimate love of his life, and the last two years without her extinguished his spark and joy for life.

Ray is survived by his sisters, Betty Martin (Bill) and Judy Camp (Tom); his sons, Donnie Smith (Val), Mike Smith (Lauren), and Chris Smith (Melody); his grandchildren, Katlyn Smith (Nicholas), Justin Smith, Megan Franklin (Austin), and Carlee Gurskiy (Max); and his great-grandchildren, Jayden Lyons, McKenzie Lyons, Luke Williams, and Mila Williams.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Linda Smith; his parents, Frank and Doris Smith; and his sister, Linda Zielinski.

To his family, Ray was the patriarch, the storyteller, the dreamer, the entrepreneur, and the driving force behind countless memories. He was often the one throwing the party and just as often the life of it. His legacy lives on through the family he cherished, the businesses he built, the community he served, and the many lives he touched along the way.

A celebration of Ray's life will be held at 2:00 pm, Friday, June 19, 2026, at Wright Funeral Home in Franklin, Virginia. The family will receive friends beginning at 1:00 pm. A short graveside service will take place directly following the service at Poplar Springs Cemetery on Homestead Road. All family and friends who wish to attend are welcome.

Ray, you will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered and leave behind a legacy never forgotten.

www.wrightfuneralhome.org