Linda Hayes Raper Smith December 10, 1942 - June 26, 2026

Linda Smith, beloved Mother and Grandmother, passed peacefully into the arms of her Lord and Savior on Friday, June 26th. Linda was born in 1942 in Raleigh, North Carolina, to her beloved parents, Emma Hayes and Jack Rowan Raper, II. Linda grew up alongside her older brother, Jack. Her father was Superintendent of Welfare and her mother worked for the Veterans Administration. From her family she received a legacy of integrity and love for people and family that she carried throughout her 83 years. Graduating from UNC Greensboro Women’s College with a double major in English and French, Linda was married to David Smith, also of Raleigh. They settled in Maryland and she became a tender and devoted mother to their two daughters, Christy and Jenny. Inheriting a love for people, she slowly earned her Master’s in Counseling from Bowie State. A vibrant Christian woman who enjoyed time with the Lord in His word, Linda lived her life as a testament to God's grace. She possessed a remarkably tender and compassionate spirit—a true "heart of flesh" as promised in Ezekiel 36:26. Her earthly home was always a sanctuary of comfort, music, and warmth, where she loved to be surrounded by family and friends. More than anything, Linda held a deep desire to see her family grow. Her family is profoundly grateful the Lord answered those heartfelt prayers, making her a grandmother in 2025. God’s timing allowed her to love on her precious grandsons, and allowed them to know her deep affection. She truly adored her grandson, Nolan Joshua, 2, looking at him with special wonder because he so closely resembled her dear brother, Jack. She found immense peace holding her Grandbaby John Caleb, 6 months, as she fed him and they would gaze adoringly into each other's eyes. Preceded in death by her beloved brother, Jack Rowan Raper, III. Her beautiful spirit, faith, and unconditional love live on through her daughters and family, Christy (Don) and Jenny (Matt) and cherished grandsons, Nolan Joshua and John Caleb. Her family takes ultimate comfort knowing that the God who knit her together in her mother's womb has now welcomed her into her perfect room in His eternal house.

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Jeremiah 31:33

Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate Linda's life on Friday, July 3, from 10:00 a.m. until her funeral service begins at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Presbyterian Church, 4012 Birdsville Road, Davidsonville. Interment will immediately follow the service at Saint James Parish Cemetery, 5757 Solomon’s Island Road, Lothian. A celebration luncheon will be held in the fellowship hall at Grace Presbyterian Church following the interment.

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