LORENZO SMITH JR.

September 7, 1950 - August 26, 2016

Lorenzo R. Smith Jr. of Kankakee, IL, affectionately known as â€Å"Ray,†died on August 26, 2016 at the age of 65. He leaves many to celebrate his legacy including: his mother, Hazel Smith, his high school sweetheart and wife of 44 years, Gloria J. Smith, his four children, Sonya R. Smith, Lorenzo Smith III (Dhanusha Sivajee), Linda D. Smith (Adili Kabahita), Marcus Smith (Kristen), his siblings, Gloria Watkins, Linda L. Smith, Valerie Smith Johnson (Johnny), and Eric Smith (Nikki), a brother-in-law, Michael Overstreet Sr., a sister-in-law, Brenda Griffin Collins (Jimmy), his grandchildren, Ashley, Rama, Ravi, Layla, Zamani, Sasha, and Zuri, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and family friends. Ray was born on September 7, 1950, to Lorenzo R. Smith and Hazel Smith. He married Gloria Griffin on February 12, 1972, and as he would often remark, â€Å"his four children are his best accomplishment.†He served in the United States Army and worked for Quaker Oats and Indian Oaks Academy before creating Magic Moments Photography. Creating Magic Moments Photography was his most rewarding work. It enabled Ray to capture and share images of people and the community at their best; bringing smiles and laughter to all those around him. He was preceded in death by his father, Lorenzo Smith Sr., and a sister, Karen Overstreet. Visitation will be held on Friday, September 2, 2016 at Lax Mortuary in Kankakee, IL from 3:00 pm until 7:00 pm. An additional visitation will be held from 10:00 am until the 11:00 am funeral services on Saturday, September 3, 2016 at Lorenzo R. Smith Sustained Ability and Technology Academy, 4120 S Wheeler Rd., Hopkins Park, IL 60944. Burial will be in Momence Cemetery.