Richard "Richard Baby" Smith

Richard Smith was born May 13, 1934 in Michigan City, Indiana to the late John Jones and Rebecca Richardson.

In 1953, he served his country in the Korean War. He traveled the world and pursued his passion for boxing. In 1970-1980 Richard Baby was honored to spar with boxing legends (Muhammad Ali), (Floyd Mayweather Sr.) and the great (Sonny Liston). He worked over 30 years at Bethlehem Steel Mill. Richard was a member at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. He enjoyed fishing, boxing, and loved being with family especially his grandchildren. Richard Baby spent his life loving his outgoing and optimistic personality which was an asset as he grew into manhood. Richard always embraced life to it's fullest, with a hearty smile and witty word his motto was “Live and Let Live”.

Richard Smith departed this life on October 16, 2018 at his residence. He was preceded in death by his wife Martha Smith, sisters, Dorothy Hudson-Scott, Hattie Parks, Lorraine Campbell, Mary Herron, brothers, Chester Smith, James Richardson, K.C. Jones, and Sylvester Jones.

Richard leaves to mourn his children, Nadine Woods of Woodstock, Rhode Island; Floyd Wimbush of Indianapolis, Indiana; and Ricardo Peterson of Michigan City, Indiana; children that he embraced, Marcella Austin, Russell Lipsey, Beverly Peterson, Darlene Baker, John Peterson, Mary Olds, Danny Peterson and Rita Peterson, two brothers, William E. Smith and Adal Smith both of South Bend, Indiana; special niece, Ramunda Smith of University Park, Illinois; two sister in-laws, Elaine Jones, Arlena Richardson, special friends, Grant Payton, Lamar “Shack” Sims and Clarence Hood all of Michigan City along with a host of grand children, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Richard Baby will be sorely missed by all that knew him.

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