Murray L. Smith

Murray Lawrence “ML” Smith, 81, passed away on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at Augusta Health in Fishersville.

He was born on October 19, 1943, in Meuthen, Massachusetts to the late Murray Lyman and Grace Taylor Smith.

Following high school graduation, ML enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and was a Vietnam veteran. Following his military service, he attended Westfield State College and graduated in 1975 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He continued his education and graduated from Assumption College in 1977 with a Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology.

ML's professional career included serving as a counselor at Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester, Massachusetts; a counselor, director of athletics, and assistant registrar at Middlesex Community College in Bedford and Burlington, Massachusetts; Director of Admissions at Indiana University East in Richmond, Indiana; and Vice President of Student and Enrollment Services at Urbana University in Urbana, Ohio. His passion was helping students to define and achieve their educational goals. He retired in 2006.

For enjoyment, ML loved driving his Corvette and became involved in Corvette Troy with low speed and drag racing, car shows, and road trips with good friends. While living in North Carolina, ML was very involved in the Cape Fear Sea Turtle Project, Island Men, and the American Legion. He served as a member of the community HOA executive board. ML was a valued mentor to many young men and women.

In 1984, ML married Sara Porter from Richmond, Indiana. While ML and Sara had no children, they had two German Shepherds and four Pembroke Welsh Corgis throughout the years.

ML is survived by his wife, Sara Porter Smith; his sister, Cynthia Smith Decker; his brother-in-law, Douglas J. Decker; and his niece, Lauren Decker Gearhart and her husband, Timothy Gearhart, and their two sons, Owen and Finn.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at Augusta Memorial Park in Waynesboro.

Memorial donations can be made to the American Cancer Society (PO Box 4110, Glen Allen, VA 23058) or your local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).