Death of Ray Warren Smith, 1949 - McDowell Co. VA (Newspaper & exact date unknown. Should be close to November 8, 1949, the date of death.) "Gary Young Man Found Dead In Car" ---------------- Carbon Monoxide Fumes Take Life An apparent suicide victim, Ray Warren Smith, 24-year-old Elbert war veteran, died early this morning from carbon monoxide poisoning, Gary officers reported today. The young man's body was discovered in his car, which he had parked in the warehouse of the U.S. Coal and Coke Company at main Gary. The tragic discovery was made by a company officer about 5:30 this morning, just one day after Smith had observed his 24th birthday. The officer was on routine duty when he inspected the warehouse, where Smith was employed, and made the discovery. HOSE FROM PIPE According to the officers, Smith had breathed the fumes from a hose extending from the exhaust into the car. By noon, neither officers nor the family had been able to advance any motive for the victim's actions. The family reported that the navy veteran had been separated from his wife, but added that he had given no indication of despondency. No notes were found. SAW HIM EARLY Several persons reported that they saw the young man driving in the direction of the warehouse about 3:50 this morning. With a key in his possession, Smith apparently unlocked the warehouse and drove in his car and then locked the doors. The suicide is the third reported in McDowell county in the past two days. Despondent because of ill health, two county women ended their lives with shotgun blasts on Sunday. One victim was 18-year-old Norma Jean Tolliver of Elkhorn. The other was Mrs. Jennetta Underwood, 38, of Stringtown, near War. BORN AT ELBERT Smith was born at Elbert on November 7, 1925, a son of Walter Joseph Smith and Ethel Virginia Brown Smith. He had spent most of his life in the community of Elbert. Smith attended the Gary schools and served 38 months with the United States Navy, receiving his discharge with the rating of yeoman first class. Following his return from the services he went to work in the warehouse. Surviving are his parents; one daughter, Janet Ray; five brothers, Walter, Ralph, John, Charles and Bill and one sister, Oreda. The body will be taken home tomorrow afternoon at 4 o'clock. Funeral service will be held Thursday afternoon. The time and place has not yet been designated. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery. Smith was a member of Adkin Post No. 38 American Legion, and a member of the post's firing squad. A military funeral will be conducted with the firing squad, honor guard and motorcycle escort to take part. Members of these groups are requested to meet at the Elbert store at 1 o'clock Thursday afternoon. The body is at the O. J. Douglas Mortuary. Submitted by Pam Ramoska **************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. Files may be printed or copied for personal use only. ****************************************************************