CR Smith

Connie Ray “CR” Smith
October 20, 1946 – October 13, 2025

Connie Ray Smith — lovingly known by a rotating cast of titles including CR, Dad, Pop, Poppy, and Paw Paw — decided to check out a week before his 79th birthday, just in time to avoid another disappointing football season from his beloved Washington Redskins (we’re pretty sure that’s no coincidence).

Born in Concord, North Carolina, on October 20, 1946, CR lived a life full of laughter, loyalty, and the occasional loud outburst at the TV during Duke basketball games. He was a man who believed in two things above all else: that the refs were always wrong, and that there was no such thing as too much reality TV. From Love Island to Big Brother, though he claimed he only watched “for the strategy.”

He was preceded in death by the love of his life, Mary Alice Smith, who’s surely saving him a seat and reminding him to take off his shoes at heaven’s door. Theirs was a partnership full of devotion, banter, and more laughter than most couples see in a lifetime. We take comfort in knowing they’re together again — probably bickering lovingly about what to watch on heaven’s DVR.

CR is survived by his son and co- Blue Devils fan, Chris Smith, and his partner, Pam, who were always by his side, and by his two grandchildren — his pride and joy — Brittany Clark (Tyler) and Christian Smith, who will forever carry on his humor, warmth, and stubborn streak.

He lived his life with grit, laughter, and love — and if we learned anything from him, it’s that a little humor can carry you through even the hardest times (and that you should never, ever switch teams midseason).

So here’s to CR — our Pop, our Poppy, our Paw Paw — forever cheering on Duke from the best seats in the house. We love you and miss you dearly. Hug maw maw for us.

The family will visit with friends and family from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Friday, October 17, 2025, at Woodlawn Funeral Home, Mount Holly, NC. A graveside service, to celebrate CR's life, will be held on Friday, October 17, 2025, at Hillcrest Gardens Cemetery, Mount Holly, NC.

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