Mr. Raymond E. Smith, age 73 of McCaysville, passed away on Wednesday, January 14, 2015, at Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga, TN. He was born on Tuesday, February 4, 1941 in Kissimmee, Florida to the late Willis A. and Virginia Sigler Smith. Mr. Smith was a retired teacher from Orange County Florida School System. He was a member of New Testament Baptist Church. Mr. Smith served in the United States Air Force.Survivors are his wife of forty-seven years, Gail Smith of McCaysville, GA; nephews, John Nester (Gloria) and Tim Nester (Holly); niece, Rachel Smith; great nephews and nieces, Gabriela Nester, Jack and Max Nester; step-sisters, Celeste Carey and Dotti Gilbert and brother-in-law, Gerald Nester (Rosemary) also survive.Funeral services will be conducted on Monday, January 19, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. from New Testament Baptist Church with the Brother Bob Becker and Brother Sammy Ledford officiating. Music will be by the New Testament Singers. Interment will follow in the Crestlawn Cemetery with Full Military Honors by the North Georgia Honor Guard. Pallbearers will be Sammy Ledford, Jr., Junior White, Freddie Rice, Barron Adams, David Harvey and Mark Becker. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday, January 19, 2015 from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Mr. Smith to New Testament Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1358, Blue Ridge, GA 30513. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge is in charge of the arrangements. .