Mr. Richard Clayton Smith

Richard Clayton Smith, affectionately called “R.C,” was born May 31, 1946 at Good Samaritan Center to Alberta Frazier and Christopher Smith. R.C. was the oldest of five siblings. He began his education at Payne Elementary in Selma, Alabama. In 1955, he moved to Cleveland, Ohio and attended St. Edwards Middle School and received a scholarship to attend Cathedral Latin, an all-boys catholic high school, where he excelled in football, basketball and track. R.C.’s strong academic and athletic abilities led him to Michigan State University where he majored in business management. When he left college, R.C. began his professional career at Ford Motor Company in Detroit, Michigan. After two and a half years, he left Ford to work for Manufacturers Bank. R.C. never changed jobs for the money; he changed jobs because he loved to learn. At Manufacturers, he worked in data processing and rose quickly to the title of Vice President of the Data Processing Department. As the first Black Vice President of the department, R.C. felt Manufacturers was “the most gratifying opportunity of my life.” In 1979, he left the bank and went to Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC). Over the 15 years at DEC, he met and bonded with some of his life-long friends. R.C. continued his career at IBM in 1994 in Sales. He left IBM for an early retirement in 2004, where he pursued his entrepreneurial spirit. R.C. embraced life. Believing, “the most valuable asset you have is time; once you spend it you can’t get it back." He treasured the time spent with family and friends. R.C. was a fabulous cook and treated his family to many holiday feasts with great food. He would cook for 25 people, serve the food and clean the kitchen and wouldn’t allow anyone to help. He always took care of everything himself in order to make sure the family and friends had a great time. R.C. believed in one united family. This was demonstrated every Memorial Day weekend, where he and his brothers and sisters and their children gathered to visit the grave sites of family members. This journey gave the family a time to reflect on their elders and keep their legacy alive. His children and grandchildren were his pride and joy. He was a teacher to them and was always sharing his words of wisdom about life and love. He created a special bond with each one of his children that will forever be remembered. R.C. believed in relationships. Relationships with God, family and with his wife of seven years, Kimberly Joyce. Together, the two of them shared a love of travel, golf and the race track. You could find the two of them enjoying golf in Lake Tahoe, swimming with the dolphins in Hawaii, sight-seeing in the mountains of Vail Colorado and horseback riding along the sands of Jamaica. Together, they courageously faced all that life presented and they did it in love. R.C. loved the Lord and his church family. He gave his life to Christ at an early age. He was a member of Faith Redemption Center Church of God in Christ for 25 years. As the President of the Board of Trustees, he interfaced with many committees and stakeholders of the Church. He used his gifts and talents to uplift the name of Jesus. He was a faithful servant until he was called from labor to reward in the arms of his loving wife in their home on June 28, 2013.

Mr. Richard Clayton Smith

May 31, 1946 - June 28, 2013