Randy Keith Smith

On December 19, 2024, Randy Keith Smith of Arden, NC decided to take seriously his proclamation of being a free bird, and made his way to Heaven. If you ask anyone who knew Randy, a “free bird” described him well. He was full of humor, compassion, love for the outdoors, and most importantly, love for his family.

     Raised in Arden, he spent his adolescence getting into more trouble than one should ever be apart of, but all that trouble made for really good stories later in his life. Speaking of stories, there were no taller tales or longer fables told than those by Randy himself. Throughout his youth, you could mostly find him trout fishing in Cherokee with his dad and brothers, snow skiing, hiking, or camping. He spent many days working at Ingles grocery store where he also developed strong bonds with coworkers and more of those outlandish stories. Randy met his first wife Lynn there, and soon they welcomed a daughter named Amanda, who was the apple of his eye and his new adventure buddy. Randy and Lynn raised Amanda to know the value of hard work, love for family, and love for God. Lovingly referring to her as Meathead, you could always find Randy and Amanda bowling, camping, or at a Lynyrd Skynyrd concert.

     At a very young age, Randy began working at the City of Asheville, specifically in the water resources division, becoming a Fields Operation Crew Leader. Spending all of his adult working life there, he retired after 30 years, and even after retirement, he went back to work there again. Some of Randy’s best friends and most cherished memories came from relationships he made at the City of Asheville. His work ethic was as unmatched as his ability to crack a joke at the most inopportune time.

     Later in his life, Randy met his second wife Lisa and they began a beautifully fulfilling journey together. Welcoming their first grandson Zane, Randy fell into the role as “Pa” effortlessly. Soon came Mason, Leila, Leona & Laten, and Pa’s days of retirement were filled with sleepovers, late nights watching tv, pranks, Walmart runs to get junk food none of them needed, and of course, endless Harley rides. He was constantly ready for a new adventure and if you ask his son in law Tyler, he was always eager to take you to a Harley rally. Ever ready to wrestle, talk some smack, or break one of Grandma’s rules, Randy really was the best Pa there ever was. Randy & Lisa’s refrigerator was adorned with photos and memories of the grandchildren, but also artwork he would draw and love notes he would leave out for Lisa.

     Randy was a simple man who loved God, his family, his friends who became family, and adventure. His legacy is one of resilience, courage, humor, and compassion. May the memory of Randy be one of fun, lightheartedness, long stories, expert classic rock knowledge, and exploration.

     Randy was preceded in death by his father, Ronald "Ronnie" Smith, mother, Joyce Cox Smith, sister Lisa Smith, brother Rusty Smith, nephew Bobby Smith, and son-in-law Jason Weeks. 

     Randy is survived by wife Lisa Todd Smith, daughter Amanda Smith Greene (Tyler), step children Kellie Conner Weeks (Ryan Deans), Andrew Conner (Emily); grandchildren Laten, Zane, Mason, Leila and Leona; brother Tony Smith (Sandy), sister Belinda Smith Allison (Ralph) and many special nieces and nephews.

     The funeral will be held at Anders Rice Funeral Home at 1428 Patton Avenue Asheville, NC 28806 on Thursday, December 26, 2024 at 11 am with recieving of friends at 10am. Pastor Roger Rearden will officiate, Division Manager for Asheville Water Resources, Brandon Buckner, will give the eulogy, and a special memory given by grandson Laten Greene. Burial will follow at Roberts Memorial Cemetery. Pallbearers will be the grandchildren, Andy Walker, and Travis Mortier.

     In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Long Shoals Baptist Church, 661 Long Shoals Road, Arden, NC 28704.

      Anders-Rice Funeral Home and Cremation Center is honored to serve the Smith family.