January 30, 1938 - November 23, 2020
Richard Dean Smith
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After a three-year battle with complications due to the Shingles, Richard said, “No more tests, no more needles. I want to go home, say my goodbyes, and go.” That was late afternoon on Tuesday November 10th. The next morning, on Wednesday November 11th, he was released from the hospital, under hospice care, and came home.
Eric and Amy came to stay with us that evening; Friday morning Kasten flew in from Hawaii where he is stationed in the Navy; Friday evening Teresa and Sofia came from AZ; and Sunday morning Katianna and Jason arrived on the red-eye from AZ—so we were all here under one roof, catching up, playing games, sharing stories, etc.
Someone asked if Richard wanted them to go to another room—he replied, “No, it is good to hear them laughing and having fun.” They were all here until Wednesday the 18th.
During that time God gave Richard the strength and grace to speak (so difficult to find words and/or articulate clearly enough to be understood) to each of us individually (even Haven, Josh, and their children, Kairo & Adalay by FaceTime) and to give us each a blessing. He was able to give a Husband’s blessing, a Father’s blessing, a Grandfather’s blessing, and a Great-grandfather’s blessing. One of the last really clear sentences he said was, “I was able to bless ALL my children!”
While everyone was still here, in the late afternoon of Sunday, the 15th, Richard was very tired and weak but very cognizant. We all had communion together - what a special time!
On the evening of the 22nd our pastor came and although Richard had not been awake for several days, he prayed over him, anointing him with oil, blessed him on his journey and served communion to us (Eric & Amy, me, and Richard)
On November 23, 2020 he quietly left us leaving behind all the pain and suffering.
Write Connie a Message.
Richard with his mother
Richard & Connie seeing the completed Hadiyya and Kambatta (Ethiopia) Bibles for the first time.
At the apartment in Spain, where they ran a study abroad program for Biola
In the kitchen in Bland, VA house
