T he Smith family's funeral home legacy in Logan County began back in 1893 when Job and Mary Smith came from Albany, MO and Scotland to homestead on a farm east of Guthrie, about two miles south of Meridian, OK. Job Smith, back then, used his spring wagon and team of mules to transport the deceased to cemeteries in and around the Meridian area. To Job and Mary Smith eight children were born, with two of the children eventually entering into the undertaking business.

Ray Smith was born at the Meridian homestead in July 1900. He married Rachel Pinnick of Kansas and then moved to Carman, OK. Ray Smith got a job there working with an undertaker; that is where Robert J. Smith, Sr. was born. After moving back to the Guthrie area, Ray Smith worked for C.C. Clothier's Undertaking Parlor.

In 1929 Ray and Rachel Smith founded Smith-Gooch Funeral Home in the location now known as the Stone Lion Inn. His partner, Gooch, only stayed with him for about four months, and in 1936 Smith bought and moved to the current location at 220 North First Street.