Larry M Smith

Larry Mitchell Smith was born at the Columbia Hospital for Women in Washington, DC, on June 2, 1943, to the late William Melvin and Harriet Rebecca Smith. He transitioned from this life on Thursday, June 23, 2022, at the age of 79. Larry was educated in the District of Columbia Public School System from Elementary to High School. While attending Roosevelt Senior High School, he joined the cadet program. Later he furthered his love for the military by enlisting in the Navy where he received an Honorable Discharge at the end of his tour of duty. Larry attended Federal City College where he received his BA Degree in History and met the love of his life, Diana Washington. On May 27, 1978, Larry and Diana married at Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel on the campus of Howard University in Washington, DC. From this union, they had two beautiful daughters Tracy Rochelle and Cheryl Rebecca Smith. Larry worked at various places over the years, ACME grocery store, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Veterans Administration Hospital (VA). In the winter of January 1981, while working at the VA, Larry saved a bedridden hospital patient from a burning bed by carrying him to safety. The career that gave Larry much love & joy, was teaching. He was an Athletic Director that taught physical education and also coached track at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic School. He was loved by the children and known to all as "Mr. St. Michael’s.” Upon St. Michael’s closure, he went on to teach at Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School. Larry received an award from the Archdiocese of Washington Catholic Youth Organization because of his outstanding involvement with youth sports activities. Larry was quite the outdoorsman. He especially loved fishing with his brothers and his nephews. He also avidly gardened for many years, alongside his sister Arnita. Larry was a passionate sports fan and an enthusiast of all types of sports. He unquestionably loved his Dallas Cowboys. Larry was preceded in death by his brother, Reginald Smith Sr.; and best friend and brother-inlaw, Joseph B. Martin. He leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife of 44 years, Diana W. Smith; his two daughters, Tracy Rochelle and Cheryl Rebecca Smith; two sisters Arnita Martin of Washington, D.C. and Beverly Smith (Ron) of Brentwood, MD; three brothers, Melvin Smith, Tyrone Smith (Sheila) of Burtonsville, MD and Keith Smith (Linda) of Atlanta, GA. He also leaves to cherish his memory a host of in-laws, nephews, nieces, family, friends and neighbors.

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