The Oklahoma Eagle Newswire
Ralph Sumers Smoote was born to Lucille Riser Smoote and Artie Raymond Smoote, Sr. in Tulsa, Oklahoma on 15 November 1962 . He spent his school years attending Ralph Bunche Elementary, Marion Anderson Junior High and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1981. Ralph found Christ at a very early age and was a long time member of First Baptist Church of North Tulsa and sang in the choir.
His college years were spent at Langston University whereby he played football until experiencing a career ending ankle injury. He continued his educational pursuit in Psychology at the University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma. Ralph found great joy in mentoring young males particularly at Lloyd E Rader Intensive Treatment Center where he served as a Youth Guidance Counselor. He held various service jobs often mentoring today’s youth by coaching football and basketball at his beloved alma mater, BTW where he offered sage advice to those who would listen. He completed his career with Muncy Machine Tools and eventually retired to the Golf Course. He was an avid golfer and participated in an annual tournament in Myrtle Beach, S.C. where he often led the prayer before the brothers hit the golf course. He experienced Brotherhood through his fraternity Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Alpha Pi Chapter and became an official member in the Spring of 1982.
Like his father, Ralph loved family and people and there were many times you might catch him and the boys engaging in a game of “garage dominoes” or cards when the opportunity presented itself.
Ralph is preceded in death by his beloved parents, a brother, Dennis Marshall, Jr. and Sister, Dorothy Marie Ponder. He is survived by his wife, Carmen Smoote, Three sons, Keenan Works, Landon Sumers Smoote and Logan Dion Smoote. A brother, Artie R. Smoote, II, Sister, Ramona Smoote-Conde (Wilson), Four nieces Pamela Hunter-Hagenbeck,(Brian) Marguerite Peebles, Shendaha Marshall and Ericka Conde. Three Nephews, Raymond Shipps (Gloria), Raymond Smoote Conde(Terra) and Roman Conde and a host of Great nieces and nephews.
Ralph was known to text scriptures to those he loved first thing in the morning. The family would like to share his final thoughts.
“Now do you think I am trying to make people accept me? No. God is the one I am trying to please. Am I trying to please people? If I wanted to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ”
Galatians 1:10
