Ray Smith (October 30, 1934 – November 29, 1979 was an American rockabilly musician.

Smith recorded for Vee-Jay Records, Tollie Records, Smash Records, and Sun Records during his career, and had a hit with the song "Rockin' Little Angel" in 1960 on Judd Records. "Rockin' Little Angel" took a portion of its melody from the 1844 song "Buffalo Gals". The record sold over one million copies, earning a gold disc. Smith often recorded material written by Charlie Rich, and was heavily influenced by Elvis Presley.

Smith committed suicide on November 29, 1979, at the age of 45.

Wikipedia Data
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Services here Tuesday
for singer Ray Smith

Local services for Ray Smith, rock star of the 1950's from Paducah who died Thursday at his Canadian home, will be Tuesday at 1 p.m. at Lindsey Funeral Home.

Smith, 45, died at his home in Burlington, Ontario. A coroner's investigation into the circumstances, which had been rumored suicide, will not be complete for about three weeks.

Services were held in Burlington Saturday.

Bro. Jim Cannon will conduct the services here. Burial will be in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers will be Jerry Vaughn, Lawrence Simmons, Carroll Elliott, Rebert Brown, Bobby Anderson and Keith Baumgardner.

Honorary pallbearers will be Stanley Walker, George Riley, Vernon Bloomingburn, Charlie Terrell and Jerry Cothran.

Friends may call at the funeral home after 9 a.m. Monday.

Burial will be in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.

Smith who was born in Melber community of Graves County and attended Lone Oak High School, had lived in Canada since the late 1960's. He was a nightclub performer and recording artist.

He is best know in this area for his rock 'n' roll days, when his hits --"Rocking' Little Angel" and "Rockin' Robin" -- topped the national charts.

In a 20-years career, he recorded 34 singles on Sun, Warner Brothers, Cinnamon, Judd and Corona labels under the management of Charlie Terrell, a Sikeston, Mo., businessman. Smith's best-known album was "Traveling with Ray."

His music career led thim on international tours and joined him with such stars as Charlie Rich, Paul Anka and Jerry Lee Lewis. he reportedly had been a house guest of the late Elvis Presley in Memphis.

He is survived by his wife, the former Lillie Kidd of Paducah, four children, one brother and six sisters.

The Paducah Sun
Paducah, Ky
Sunday, December 2, 1979, p. 16-A

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Ray Smith was married to the former Lillie Kidd of Paducah. They had four children: Roger, Johnny, Sheila and Ray Jr. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. James H. Smith are deceased.
He is also survived by a brother, James W. Smith, Paducah; and six sisters, Dorothy Charval, Katherine Dowell, Genevieve Simmons and Carline Kindred, all of Paducah, and Eva Mae Page and Jo Ann Hamm, both of Flatwoods.

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Ray Smith (October 30, 1934 – November 29, 1979 was an American rockabilly musician.

Smith recorded for Vee-Jay Records, Tollie Records, Smash Records, and Sun Records during his career, and had a hit with the song "Rockin' Little Angel" in 1960 on Judd Records. "Rockin' Little Angel" took a portion of its melody from the 1844 song "Buffalo Gals". The record sold over one million copies, earning a gold disc. Smith often recorded material written by Charlie Rich, and was heavily influenced by Elvis Presley.

Smith committed suicide on November 29, 1979, at the age of 45.

Wikipedia Data
~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~

Services here Tuesday
for singer Ray Smith

Local services for Ray Smith, rock star of the 1950's from Paducah who died Thursday at his Canadian home, will be Tuesday at 1 p.m. at Lindsey Funeral Home.

Smith, 45, died at his home in Burlington, Ontario. A coroner's investigation into the circumstances, which had been rumored suicide, will not be complete for about three weeks.

Services were held in Burlington Saturday.

Bro. Jim Cannon will conduct the services here. Burial will be in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers will be Jerry Vaughn, Lawrence Simmons, Carroll Elliott, Rebert Brown, Bobby Anderson and Keith Baumgardner.

Honorary pallbearers will be Stanley Walker, George Riley, Vernon Bloomingburn, Charlie Terrell and Jerry Cothran.

Friends may call at the funeral home after 9 a.m. Monday.

Burial will be in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.

Smith who was born in Melber community of Graves County and attended Lone Oak High School, had lived in Canada since the late 1960's. He was a nightclub performer and recording artist.

He is best know in this area for his rock 'n' roll days, when his hits --"Rocking' Little Angel" and "Rockin' Robin" -- topped the national charts.

In a 20-years career, he recorded 34 singles on Sun, Warner Brothers, Cinnamon, Judd and Corona labels under the management of Charlie Terrell, a Sikeston, Mo., businessman. Smith's best-known album was "Traveling with Ray."

His music career led thim on international tours and joined him with such stars as Charlie Rich, Paul Anka and Jerry Lee Lewis. he reportedly had been a house guest of the late Elvis Presley in Memphis.

He is survived by his wife, the former Lillie Kidd of Paducah, four children, one brother and six sisters.

The Paducah Sun
Paducah, Ky
Sunday, December 2, 1979, p. 16-A

~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~
Ray Smith was married to the former Lillie Kidd of Paducah. They had four children: Roger, Johnny, Sheila and Ray Jr. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. James H. Smith are deceased.
He is also survived by a brother, James W. Smith, Paducah; and six sisters, Dorothy Charval, Katherine Dowell, Genevieve Simmons and Carline Kindred, all of Paducah, and Eva Mae Page and Jo Ann Hamm, both of Flatwoods.

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