Cletis Ray Smith

Please see scheduled service date and times below. 

Cletis Ray Smith (68) of Phoenix, Arizona went home to be with the Lord on February 14, 2026, surrounded by love and faith.

Cletis was born on October 29, 1957, to Willie and Alafaye Smith. He was the first of two children.

He was preceded in death by his Father Willie, his Mother Alafaye, his brother Denis and his Grandparents Alice and James Wiseman, and Willie and Virlosta Smith.

Cletis attended Palmdale Elementary School and he attended South Mountain High School where he received his diploma. 

Cletis was joined in matrimony to Deborah Kersey. From this union, three children were born: Matrel, Antonio, and Josef. Cletis loved his children very much and was proud of the family they built together.

To support his family, Cletis worked at Parker Painting for 32 years until his illness took over.

Cletis enjoyed many hobbies including playing dominoes, fishing, hunting, watching his favorite football teams, and hosting good BBQs with family and friends. He also enjoyed dancing and listening to R&B and Blues music, and spending time with those he loved. Many of his friends were so close that he considered them brothers, including Tommy Parker, Dwayne Ferguson, and Paul Sims, to name a few.

Cletis leaves to cherish his memories his three sons: Matrel (Tyanna), Antonio, and Josef (Gamze). 15 grandchildren: Tre, Marquan, Trechelle, Xavier, Myson, Madison, Matrel Jr., Lucretia, Mariah, Demetria, Halima, Tiian, Jazmine, Ariya, and Reza, in addition, 7 great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind one sister-in-law, Jeannetta, his nephews Michael, and Maurice (Tehani); his nieces LeVonn, Marquita, and Breanna; his great-nephew Maurice Jr., and his great-nieces Kaniya, Jasiya, Zariya, and Neviya, Malia and Royalty. Along with a host of relatives and dear friends who will cherish his memory forever.

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