Richard "Ricky" Smith

September 30, 1946 - July 8, 2021

Richard Sylvester Smith ("Ricky") was born on September 30, 1946. He was the second child born into the union of Vernice and Sylvester A. Smith, who preceded him in death. His younger brothers, Eric Roderick Smith, Damu (Leroy) Wesley Smith, and Leslie Dudley Smith also preceded him in death in addition to one niece, Tonia Smith Bryant. Ricky was baptized as an infant into the Christian faith and confirmed his faith in Christ at Transfiguration Lutheran Church in 1957. Ricky attended St. Louis Public Schools through high school but did not graduate. He chose, instead, to spend his days on the St. Louis riverfront to watch the Arch being built. He earned his GED in June of 1968 and later spent a short time at Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, Missouri. Always adventurous, Ricky signed up for four years in the United States Air Force. He was stationed at Whiteman Airforce Base in Missouri. He then joined the United States Army from which he received two honorable discharges--first in 1980 then, in 1983 as a Staff Sgt. E-6. Ricky was married briefly and to that union was born a daughter, Erica Elaine Smith. Ricky was a free spirit. He lived in Chicago and Atlanta for a short time before his curiosity led him out West to San Diego, California. Ricky held several jobs over the years, including driving a bus in Chicago. He also worked for Wal Mart and was employed by the San Diego Zoo. Ricky made his way back to St. Louis by Greyhound Bus in 2018. With the help of his loving sister, Sylnice, he moved into Oakwood Estates. Ricky passed away peacefully at DePaul Hospital on Thursday, July 8, 2021. In addition to his daughter, Erica Elaine Smith of Phoenix, AZ., Ricky leaves behind one sister, Sylnice Williams; one half-sister, Karen Perry, and one half-brother, Randy Smith; two aunts-Wanetta Price and Joyce Coffey; six nieces--Lauren Drummond Littrell (William), Nikki Sebastian (Viju) of Atlanta, GA, Deidre Griffith (Clint). Erica Williams (Bailey), Kimberlie Smith of Dallas, TX and Asha Moore Smith of Washington, DC; two nephews--Derrick Smith of Dallas, TX and Leslie Smith of New York City, NY; three great-nieces, six great-nephews, a host of cousins, other relatives, and friends.