Charles Ray Smith died on Holy Thursday, April 6 at Pointe Coupee General Hospital in New Roads surrounded by his family at age 96. A native of New Roads, he married Joane White in 1954. Charles Ray was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He and Joane raised six sons, and have thirteen grandchildren and six great grandchildren. He loved his family, and he loved the Lord. A devout Catholic with a special devotion to the Blessed Mother, he is remembered by many for his morning walks to serve at daily mass at St. Mary. For years after his retirement, he enjoyed a daily game of golf with his friends. His continued commitment to good health, and his determination to remain active allowed him to live independently until his death. He was an avid reader with a quick wit, and a mind sharper than people half his age. A man of integrity and member of the Greatest Generation, Charles Ray was a true gentleman, who leaves behind a legacy of faith and love of family. He entered LSU in 1943 before enlisting in the Navy in 1944 at the age of seventeen. After graduating from gunnery school at the U.S. Naval Training Center in Bainbridge, MD, he was assigned to duty in the South Pacific during World War II aboard the U.S.S. Franks DD554 as a Gunner’s Mate Third Class and was discharged in 1946. After the war, he returned to LSU where he was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity. He graduated from LSU in 1949 and began his career in banking as a teller at the Bank of New Roads (later Regions Bank.) He retired in 1986 as CEO and chairman of the board. He was a member of St. Mary of False River Catholic Church, serving as Eucharistic Minister and was a committed adorer at St. Mary’s Perpetual Adoration Chapel. He was a member of the New Roads Lions Club and reigned as Lion Carnival King XLVI in 1978. He was also a charter member of the False River Golf and Country Club. He is survived by his six sons and daughters-in-law, Ray and Linda, Gary, Jeff, Peter and Solé, Scott and Emily, and Stephen; grandchildren, Jason Smith, Lauren Smith Hurst, Shellane Smith Hammond, Katelyn Smith, Lillie Smith, Annie Smith, Kelly Smith LeBrun, Gabriela Smith Shinskie, Nicolás Smith, Adrian, David, Julia, and Jenna Smith; great grandchildren, Caleb, Aria, June, Isabel, Stella, and Jameson. He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 39 years, Joane White Smith, parents Allen Key and Marie Anita St. Dizier Smith, brothers Allen Key, Jr., Francis Audley, Joseph Olivier St. Dizier, James Doddridge, and Robert Wayne Smith. Pallbearers will be Adrian Smith, David Smith, Nicolás Smith, Christopher LeBrun, Andy Shinskie, Brent Loupe, Madison Bounchaud, and Brian Berns. Visitation will be Thursday, April 13 at Niland’s Funeral Home in New Roads from 9 until 11:45 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary of False River Catholic Church at noon. Services will be conducted by Rev. Miles Walsh. Interment will follow at St. Mary Cemetery. A gathering of family and friends is planned afterward at St. Mary’s Parish Hall. Donations can be sent to the Joane Smith Choir Fund, St. Mary of False River Catholic Church, 402 West Main St., New Roads, LA 70760.