Rev. Raymond Smith

Rev. Raymond Allen Smith, Pastor of Emmaus Lutheran Church, 56, passed away on September 20, 2024 at St. Francis Hospice House surrounded by friends and family.

He was born on January 30, 1968, in Indianapolis, Indiana to his parents Allen and Bonnie Smith. He was the oldest of two children. Rev. Raymond Allen Smith graduated from Emmaus Lutheran Memorial School in 1982. Then went on to graduate from Lutheran High School of Indianapolis in 1986. Rev. Raymond Allen Smith studied pastoral ministry, missions, and systematics at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne and graduated with a Master of Divinity in 2006.

He served as pastor and delivered his ministry at Resurrection Lutheran church (Centerville, Indiana), Trinity Lutheran Church (Ortonville, Minnesota), St. Paul Lutheran Church (Dewberry-Cross Plains, Indiana), and was the current pastor at Emmaus Lutheran Church in Indianapolis, Indiana since 2014. Rev. Raymond was known for his boisterous laugh, sarcastic sense of humor, his huge smile, and his passion for his people, church, friends, and family.

Rev. Raymond’s dying wish is to fill the church pews on Sunday morning. Please come and fulfill his dream and join us at Emmaus Lutheran Church at 10am on Sunday, September 22nd.

When he was not at church spreading the gospel, his hobbies included watching sports, playing board games, watching movies, and most of all listening to music. Rev. Raymond loved being a papaw and cherished every moment spent with his children and grandchildren. Rev. Raymond is survived by his wife, Lisa; his mother, Bonnie Smith; his children Jason (Katherine) Smith, Bonnie-Joy (Stephen) Lents, Jordan (Kymberlee) and Kayla Gates; his grandchildren, Miranda, Oliver, and Eowyn; brother Todd (Kelly) Smith; nieces and nephews, Madeline (Tyler), Emma (Tommy), and Ryan (Kara); and great nephews, Ben, Dominic, and Kairo. He was preceded in death by his father, Allen Smith and his grandparents.

There will be coffee and donuts after church to continue his tradition of fellowship. After fellowship with coffee and donuts, visitation on Sunday September 22nd will begin at Emmaus Lutheran Church at 12pm and end at 4pm.Visitation on Monday September 23rd will begin at 10 am. Funeral services will begin at 11 am. We will be escorted to Concordia Cemetery located at 2703 S Meridian St, Indianapolis, IN 46225 for burial. There will be a mercy meal following the burial service hosted at Emmaus Lutheran Church. Church address: 1224 Laurel St. Indianapolis, IN 46203 * FREE PARKING IN REAR OF CHURCH (Orange st and Linden st)* Memorial contributions in his name may be made out to Emmaus Lutheran Church 125th Anniversary Celebration.

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