Life story

"Brother Eric Ray Smith was born January 10, 1962. He was adopted by George W. Smith and Jeannie Smith and was raised in a loving home. At an early age Eric accepted Christ as his personal savior and was brought up in the love of the Lord. Later on his father and mother separated and later divorced and in 1969 his father George Smith married his step mother Elizabeth Howard and with this union Eric was blessed with two older siblings Drexlar Lee and Delphrene Hudson. Eric was educated in the Oakland public schools and it wasn't until he attended Oakland High School is where he found his passion and fell in love with the ROTC drill team where he did extremely well. Eric would spend hours practicing and perfecting his moves and chants striving to be one of the best on the squad. They went on to perform at events, marched in parades and competing in many ROTC competitions and one year even beating McClymonds high school (who was the team to beat) and taking home the championship. After high school Eric joined the Army and after leaving the Army he moved to Kansas where he met Barbra Martin who later gave birth to his daughter Tyra Smith. Eric later moved back to Oakland and worked various jobs and made plenty of friends. He later met Renee Howie his long time girlfriend and her very young son Ron Howie and were together for many years.
Brother Eric was a real strong man. After becoming paralyzed in 1990 it never took away from who he was. In his own way he was always thankful to God for sparing his life. One of his quotes he would always say is "that hell didn't want him and Heaven wasn't ready for him." When he said it it would always put a smile on people's faces while thanking God at the same time.
Brother Eric Ray Smith was preceded in death by his father George Smith of Oakland, Ca., mother Jeannie Aslin of Oakland, Ca., step mother Elizabeth Smith of Oakland, Ca., girlfriend Renee Howie of Oakland, Ca.. and leaves to cherish his daughter Tyra Smith of Mesa Arizona, son Ron Howie of Oakland, Ca, brother Drexler Lee of Oakland, Ca., sister Delphrene Smith-Franklin of Chandler Arizona, brother Channon Smith and his wife Yvonne Hill-Smith of Oakland, Ca. grandson David Wayne McGriff III of Mesa Arizona, His special friend Sandra Giles of Oakland, his best friend Curtis Lacy, his long time care taker Mignon Wynn of Oakland, 4 Nephews, 4 nieces, 3 great-nieces, 1 great-nephew, 2 aunties and a host of family and friends."